How to take the journey together
Munich Re has the experience and know-how you need to make your idea become business.
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Our innovation journey
Our innovation process
Click to explore more about the different stages
Discover & Ideate
Deliverables
- Validated problem statement for defined customer segment
- Solution idea and customer value proposition
- Business model sketch incl. market potential
- Strategic Fit for Munich Re Innovation
Duration & Team Setup
- 1-2 months
- Min. 1 driver
Example
Before coming up with new business ideas, we usually identify areas of opportunity which fit strategically and have good potential. However, for some ideas we started searching a defined area and came up with completely different ideas. For example, when ideating in the area of “NextGen Farming”, we ended up with a promising idea for carbon markets. So, even at the ideation phase, we can pivot as we learn within our strategic guard rails.
Explore & Prototype
Deliverables
- Validated customer problem / need
- Customer-validated proposition or prototype
- Validated business model (revenue side)
- Approved ‚build‘ strategy
Duration & Team Setup
- 3-4 month
- 3+ team members
Example
With a validated problem statement for a defined customer segment we enter Explore and Prototype phase. Climate Risk Score for example is a software solution that forecasts the impact climate change will have on physical assets like homes, factories, offices and bridges etc. The challenge was to identify the customer group which has a real need for the solution and develop a marketable proposition. During customer interviews the team realized, that they had to focus on the biggest challenges and pains customers faced while assessing their organisation’s climate risks in order to build the right features and tailor the solution that customers love and wanted to pay for. After the clear definition of the target segments, sales were scaled through partnerships.
Build (MVP & Pilot)
Deliverables
- MVP built
- Successfully customer-tested MVP
- Validated business and operating model (cost side)
- Go-to-market developed
Duration & Team Setup
- 9-18 months
- 3-5+ team members
Example
The ultimate goal of this phase is a minimum viable product (MVP) that has been tested and approved by real (paying) customers. While the “DRIVE – Risk Management” team had by now completed the MVP, it still lacked a sound customer validation and any “signed” pilot customers. In order to gain valuable customer insights, we provided the team with an experienced sales professional who reached out to new customer segments, helped set up a sales funnel, optimised the conversion rate and led to the generation of written LoIs (Letters of intent).
Launch
Deliverables
- Ability to acquire & activate customers
- Demonstrated conversion into revenue-generating customers
- Profitability of business model (unit economics)
Duration & Team Setup
- > 12 months
- Team of 5-7 core team members and extended members (business orientated)
Example
Once our innovation ventures have successfully proven themselves with pilot customers, they are ready to be marketed. “Remote Industries”, for example, aims to help insurers settle homeowner claims faster and better after a hurricane. This AI-based tool suite received great feedback from pilot clients, and the team felt ready to launch. However, as the team spoke to potential clients during the sales process, they identified an interest in having the video inspection module available outside the hurricane tool suite. Being agile, the team quickly began to develop the remote-inspection video tool as a stand-alone product that would allow insurers to inspect, report and settle claims in real time.
Monetise & Scale
Deliverables
- Ability to retain customers
- Ability to optimise growth model
- Operating efficiency
Duration & Team Setup
- Team of 5-7 core team members and extended members (business orientated)
Example
After a successful market entry, business models have to grow continuously. In 2016, Munich Re established its own global start-up called Digital Partners, with the stated aim of disrupting the insurance business. Today DP is no longer a start-up. It is a known player in the ecosystem, providing insurtechs and digital distributors with a comprehensive, go-to market partnership, built on the financial strength and expertise of Munich Re.
Every project is different, but a proven approach helps
Together with you we enable and empower the decentralized innovation activities of Munich Re´s Business Units.
- zli@munichre.com
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