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55 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 2018 2018 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 55 Winkler, who represents the workforce and business interests of 32 major insurance and financial services companies, said there "is a definite buzz" about the future of Hartford. "I'll remind you that Hartford is still the number one city in the country in insurance jobs per capita," said Winkler, who notes at the same time that the business model for insurance and other industries "has changed so dramatically due to technology." "It's definitely a race to get up to speed on technology," Winkler said, "but it's a race that we're up to in Connecticut." She ticked off a number of things that Hartford has going for it when it comes to innovation – "academic partnerships, a solid base of companies, and more." Winkler, who travels to conferences all over the country to promote Hartford, concedes she sometimes has to beat back negative perceptions of the city's and state economic woes. But she said that fight is getting a bit easier. "We have to wave the flag, celebrate our wins, promote our more positive stories," she said. Winkler added that as word spreads about big companies either staying in, or moving to, Hartford – and newer, innovative firms coming to Connecticut – momentum will build. "It will take time," she said. "But things are moving in the right direction. Like I said – there's a buzz." Insuring Innovation Hartford InsurTech Hub showcases, assists young companies f rom around the world By Jack Kramer The way Mayor Luke Bronin sees it, Hartford InsurTech Hub is simply returning the city to its roots – but in a techno, 2018 kind of way. "This is a city that for a long time was recognized as the insurance capital of the world," Bronin said at Hartford InsurTech Hub's Demo Day at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center. While the city is no longer the largest insurance cluster, he said, "We want Hartford to be the center of insurance technology, to make this city a true hub for innovation." That's what HartfordInsurtech Hub's Startupbootcamp is all about. The city's insurance accelerator kicked off in January 2018 and ran for three months, providing a distinguished cohort of startups with the support, resources and connectivity they need to grow. Erika Bothma, program director for the Hartford project, said: "Our goal with the inaugural InsurTech Accelerator is to prove that Hartford is perfectly placed to build a dynamic InsurTech ecosystem on the East Coast. We are excited about transforming Hartford into the U.S. capital of InsurTech by harnessing tech, rekindling insurers, and connecting the community." As Bothma said, "It's about refining the business proposition, learning how to pitch well, and knowing the right sales techniques to close new businesses. All of the companies have risen beautifully to the challenge. Many of them have forged strong links with our insurance partners and already making great strides in creating pilot projects." Ten startups from countries around the world were invited to take part in the program, which offered industry expertise, an initial grant of $25,000 and free office space downtown in return for a potential future stake in their companies. It also provided the participants with camaraderie, idea sharing, teamwork and mentoring. The 10 companies – whittled down from an initial 1,000 applicants – included two from India, one from Australia, one from Singapore, one from Canada, and five from the United States. One of the 10 is Aureus Analytics, from India, a customer intelligence and experience company that enables insurance carriers, brokers, and managing general agents to deliver superior customer experience, leading to greater retention, loyalty, and lifetime value. Aureus does this using predictive analytics and machine learning to deliver insights in simple English at the point of decision. Aureus Analytics Chief Executive Officer Anura Shah put it simply INSURANCE & FINANCIAL SERVICES Ten promising start-ups from around the world were selected to take part in Hartford InsurTech Hub's insurance accelerator program, which kicked off in January. [Photos courtesy of The InsurTech Accelerator, Hartford]