Nigerian insurtech startup MyCover.ai has closed a US$1.25 million pre-seed funding round to bolster its in-house operations and tech talent, invest heavily in its proprietary technology, and strategically expand its operations into other African markets.
Founded in 2021, MyCover.ai is focused on addressing the pain points that exist in the African insurance market, such as the lack of access, inadequate coverage, the unaffordability of insurance products and the poor customer experience surrounding insurance processes.
By operating across three essential touchpoints, the company addresses these problems – underwriting and product development, distribution, and insurance claims, where the claims processes are streamlined for insurance companies and the end-users. The company provides an open insurance API that integrates with leading insurance companies, such as Hygeia, Leadway, Sovereign Trust, AIICO Insurance and Allianz, to offer over 30 personalised insurance products, allowing other businesses and innovators to embed these insurance products into their platforms.
Its US$1.25 million pre-seed round is led by Ventures Platform, and also includes participation from Founders Factory Africa and Techstars, who are making a follow-on investment after the startup’s participation in its 2022 Toronto Accelerator programme.
Since its launch, MyCover.ai has emerged as a leading provider of innovative insurance solutions, with over US$1 million in gross written premiums and strong partnerships with leading insurance providers in Nigeria.
“The current insurance landscape is plagued by fragmentation and inefficiencies that hinder distribution and adoption. Affordable, accessible, and frictionless insurance remains a significant challenge for many customers, and we are proud to be at the forefront of change, constructing a robust infrastructure that addresses these critical issues head-on. We are building the rails that will power the growth and adoption of insurance across Africa, and we are delighted to have the support of our new and returning investors whose deep knowledge and extensive expertise in our region will help accelerate the attainment of our objectives,” said MyCover.ai’s CEO and co-founder Adebowale Banjo.
Dotun Olowoporoku, general partner at Ventures Platform, said Banjo and his team were reshaping the insurance landscape in Nigeria, and had their eyes set on the wider African market.
“Unlike other insurtech solutions that focus on specific areas of insurance penetration among the underserved, MyCover.ai takes a collaborative approach and offers a suite of services that cover the entire spectrum of these challenges. We are confident in their vision and operational pedigree, and we are excited to support their growth as they continue to empower businesses and individuals through scalable and innovative insurance solutions,” he said.
