InsurTech

Protective Life Corporation, a subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life Holdings, has agreed to acquire automotive finance and insurance provider AUL Corp.

Blink Parametric, a CPP Group Insurtech, has partnered with MNK Re, a specialist Lloyd’s of London insurance and reinsurance broker to expand its offerings.

KYND, a provider of cyber risk management technology, has extended its partnership with insurance and reinsurance broker Howden Broking.

Penelope, which facilitates retirement saving plans for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and entrepreneurs, has raised $21m in pre-seed funding.

InsurTech startup Layr, which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to help brokerages and agencies manage their small commercial books, has raised $10m in Series A funding.

The Latin American InsurTech ecosystem is in its early stages compared to other regions, which means the market opportunities for insurers and InsurTechs are vast. A middle-class population that is demanding more digital services, coupled with global advances in technology, is creating a perfect storm in enabling growth in the region.

Digital payments network iink Payments has closed its seed round on $2.8m, which was led by Motivate Venture Capital.

AFCO, a provider of insurance premium finance, billing and payment solutions, has joined InsurTech Vertafore’s Orange Partner Program.

Buckle, a tech-enabled financial services company, has partnered with Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), to bring its telematic platform to gig economy drivers.

Policygenius, a digital insurance platform, has collected $125m in funding, as it capitalises on two years of strong growth.