MetLife Launches "Collab": The InsurTech Accelerator

US$100,000 contract for winning startup to implement their solution

Singapore, November 14, 2016 – LumenLab, MetLife’s Singapore-based innovation center, is pleased to announce today the launch of Collab – a three-month program that supports product ready startups as they tackle the business needs of tomorrow. Through this unique forum, InsurTech startups can share their solution and win an opportunity to bring it alive at MetLife.

Collab is first-and-foremost a marketplace for startups to meet, share ideas and build solutions. Our goal is to tackle the real problems facing our customers and leverage technology to drive business efficiency. As the speed of innovation increases and disruptions become the norm, we are excited to tackle these challenges together with the help of the startup community, said Zia Zaman, LumenLab CEO and Chief Innovation Officer of MetLife Asia.

The program is now open for applications and is calling for innovative solutions in customer engagement, claims process, insurance business models and the sales process. In addition to MetLife, expert providers and co-sponsors including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft BizSpark, Wavemaker Partners and Oliver Wyman will work together to create a comprehensive support structure for the startups. Collab will select eight startups from the global open application process, who will be evaluated through a rigorous multi-phase selection process in preparation for a demo day on May 19th, 2017. The successful finalist will receive a US $100,000 contract to implement a pilot within MetLife.

At MetLife, we are focused on reshaping the way we do business and the way in which we engage with our customers. We’re one of the leaders in our industry to invest in innovation through digital and technology and we see Collab as a natural extension. This is a great opportunity for dynamic startups to bring to scale original and ground-breaking ideas that challenge the old style insurance business ways and play a part in moving the industry into the new digital era, said Chris Townsend, President of MetLife Asia.

MetLife has built a strong track record by being a first mover in digital innovation. LumenLab was first launched in July 2015 and has focused on developing disruptive new business models in the areas of health, aging and wealth. Using Collab, LumenLab aims to build upon its goal of helping customers lead richer, more fulfilling lives by collaborating with startups and entrepreneurs to uncover breakthrough solutions to address real business problems.

Those interested can learn more and apply at collab.lumenlab.sg. Deadline for applications: January 29, 2017.

About MetLife:

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("MetLife"), is one of the largest life insurance companies in the world. Founded in 1868, MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Serving approximately 100 million customers, MetLife has operations in nearly 50 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

About LumenLab:

As MetLife's pioneers for disruptive innovation, LumenLab is charging ahead to create new businesses in health, wealth and retirement. Lumen, a measure of light, symbolizes its commitment to illuminating a new path for solving the problems that the people of Asia face today. Through its focus on building new products and services grounded in technology and data, LumenLab aims to help people achieve richer and more fulfilling lives. For more information, visit www.lumenlab.sg.