Insurtech Gateway, the specialist incubator supporting managing general agent (MGA) and software-as-a-service (SaaS) founders, has secured authorisation to trade within the Lloyd’s market after acquiring its Lloyd’s licence.
The move strengthens Gateway’s platform for early-stage MGAs, particularly those addressing emerging risks in underserved or fast-changing markets. Access to Lloyd’s capacity has traditionally been a major hurdle for new MGAs, with many innovative ventures failing to secure insurer backing before they can prove their business models.
With its newly granted Lloyd’s broker status, Insurtech Gateway can now introduce portfolio companies directly to the Lloyd’s market, helping founders secure underwriting capacity more quickly and pilot their products with reduced barriers.
“We have worked closely with Lloyd’s underwriters for years,” said Richard Chattock (pictured), CEO at Insurtech Gateway. “Formalising that relationship creates an even clearer path to bring new ideas into the London Market and helps our founders start trading faster than ever before.”
The broking capability adds to Gateway’s existing support for early-stage founders, which includes pre-seed and seed investment, insurance product design guidance, fast-track access to FCA regulation through Appointed Representative status, and a network of progressive re/insurers alongside the full reach of the Lloyd’s market.
With incubators in London and Sydney, Gateway supports more than 45 portfolio companies operating in 98 countries and collaborates with 75 insurance partners. Alumni such as Bondaval, Coincover, Kita, Truvi, and Onsi have already brought new insurance solutions to market.
The development comes at a time when Lloyd’s is seeking to attract more innovation and improve speed-to-market for new products. Capacity for niche and emerging risks remains competitive, and the MGA sector is seeing heightened activity as carriers increasingly use delegated authority to access specialist underwriting expertise. London Market appetite for insurtech partnerships is also growing, as underwriters look for technology-driven solutions to improve efficiency, tap into underserved customer segments, and create more agile distribution channels.
Chattock said Gateway backs founders tackling challenges including climate resilience, financial inclusion, and health security, using insurance as a tool to close protection gaps and accelerate market change.
