TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MetLife Japan, today launched “collab 4.0,” an open innovation platform inviting entrepreneurs and insurtechs globally to scale their business with MetLife while solving some of the insurer’s biggest innovation challenges across its Japan business.
Participating insurtech startups will compete for a JPY 10 million contract* to develop solutions across insurance value chains in areas such as customer engagement, sales, and operations, and to pilot these solutions with MetLife Japan.
Created by LumenLab, MetLife Asia’s innovation center, collab 4.0 follows three successful collab programs, including one in 2017 which saw MetLife Japan award contracts to three innovative companies: Montoux, a product pricing solution; WorkFusion, an AI-driven automation solution, and Japan-based Moneytree, a leading personal finance management app.
“Collab is about building partnerships that help us innovate ahead of tomorrow’s challenges. As we enter its fourth iteration, we see how innovation is solving today’s business challenges and helping us have an ever-greater impact on those we serve,” said Zia Zaman, LumenLab’s chief executive officer and chief innovation officer of MetLife Asia.
Following a rigorous selection process, MetLife will determine six finalists and pair them with MetLife Japan employee champions who will provide tailored mentoring to solve MetLife Japan’s business challenges.
Since its inception in 2016, collab has attracted 398 applications from more than 50 countries and MetLife has awarded USD 700,000 worth of contracts through the program. These business contracts have gone into developing practical solutions that are delivering value to MetLife’s business and customer experience.
“MetLife Japan continues to be at the forefront of innovation, and collab 4.0 is a great example of this. We are tapping the best insurtech talent from around the globe to tackle real business issues and develop cutting-edge solutions for our business and customers,” said Webster Coates, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, MetLife Japan.
Finalists will be invited to attend the collab Summit and Demo Day in Tokyo on 5-6 December, 2018 to present their solutions where the ultimate winner will be announced.
Applications opened via the collab website today and will close on 8 September, 2018. To learn more and apply for collab 4.0 please visit: collab.lumenlab.sg/
* This amount equates to approx. US$89,555 based on the FX rate as at 3 August 2018
About MetLife
MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("MetLife"), is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit http://www.metlife.com
About MetLife Insurance K.K.
MetLife started operations in 1973 as the first foreign life insurance company in Japan. Since then, it has provided an innovative and broad range of products through diverse distribution channels to individual and institutional customers. Currently operating as a Japanese corporation, MetLife Insurance K.K. is committed to providing trusted navigation to help people become more self-reliant and able to pursue more from life. For more information, visit http://www.metlife.co.jp
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 our commitment to illuminating a new path for solving the problems that the people of Asia face today. Through our focus on building new products and services grounded in technology and data, we aim to help people achieve richer and more fulfilling lives. For more information, visit http://www.lumenlab.sg.
