Decarbonization Risk Management Prize
De-risking the next generation of decarbonization
through smarter underwriting.
SUPPORTED BY
Schmidt Family Foundation Established in 2006 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt, the Schmidt Family Foundation works to restore a balanced relationship between people and planet. Through grantmaking and investments, the foundation partners with communities around the world in working for renewable energy, resilient food systems, healthy oceans and the protection of human rights. Learn more at tsffoundation.org.
Builders Vision is an investment and philanthropy platform that harnesses innovative capital to build a more resilient future. We grow and transform markets that generate financial returns and sustainable outcomes across three sectors: food & agriculture, energy and oceans. Our success is only possible because of our collaboration with the entrepreneurs, innovators and investors who share our commitment to building the economy of tomorrow.. Learn more about Builders Vision at www.buildersvision.com.Builders
MANAGED BY
InnSure is a mission-driven nonprofit at the intersection of insurance innovation and climate change. Its mission is to catalyze novel insurance solutions that support effective climate adaptation and mitigation. Through programs including the Innovation Prize, Creation Labs, and the annual InnSure Climate Forum, InnSure fosters collaboration between insurance professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, and communities to close the protection gaps that threaten the energy transition and resilience efforts.
The Prize
The Decarbonization Risk Management Innovation Prize seeks groundbreaking solutions that leverage advanced computing (AI, machine learning, sensors, digital twins, predictive analytics, etc.) to achieve a step-change improvement in underwriting risks (technology, performance, offtake, etc.) associated with decarbonization projects and clean energy infrastructure. Winners will partner with committed MGAs/carriers to deploy their innovations in live underwriting environments within 12 months.
The Challenge
The low-carbon economy is stalled by uninsurable risk. Decarbonization technologies — from clean buildings and zero-emission transport to renewable energy, carbon capture, and green hydrogen — face a critical barrier: insurance markets lack the tools to accurately underwrite them. Without insurance, projects can't attract financing. Without financing, the low-carbon transition slows. InnSure is solving this - and we need your ideas and data and solutions to make it happen!
Prize Structure
Three winners are selected through a rigorous process (fully human expert judging panel - please be kind!) and receive both capital and hands-on acceleration support to bring their solutions to market.
Who Should Apply
✓ Demonstrated ability to improve underwriting accuracy, speed, or risk assessment through advanced computing — a meaningful step-change, not incremental improvement.
✓ Letter of interest from at least one MGA, insurance carrier, or financial/asset investor committed to piloting your solution. (InnSure can assist with introductions)
✓ Focus on emerging and pre-commercialized decarbonization technology risks — renewable energy, battery storage, carbon capture, green hydrogen, electrification, zero-emission fleets, industrial and building decarbonization and beyond.
✓ Scalable technology platform with clear integration pathways to current market players.
✓ Open or scalable access model — solutions must not be locked exclusively to a single insurer or partner.
Core eligibility requirements. We are looking for innovators with scalable, technology-forward solutions ready to partner with the insurance market — not just proof-of-concept research.
Prize Timeline
Judging Process
We are aiming for ~25 completed submissions/applications
Narrow to ~20 in-scope full submissions that meet all eligibility criteria
Down-select to ~10 Finalists via judging panels of subject-matter experts
Criteria:
Technical feasibility of improvement - Is this concept data-powered and novel? Will this create a substantive change in the ability to finance decarbonization technology? [15%]
Team/Expertise and track record - Does the team have what it takes to execute on this opportunity? [15%]
Business concept viability review (concept, stakeholders, partners, business plan, etc.) - Is the ecosystem ready to support this as a viable solution? [30%]
Climate impact assessment (CO2 emissions, environmental impact, etc.) - How much will this help our planet? [20%]
Level of Financial Partner Commitment - How committed is your financial partner to your success? [20%]
Final Winners will be chosen via a virtual pitch event (August 2026) and detailed business plan by judging panel (including insurance MGA/carrier judges and pilot host communities)
Winners announced during NY Climate Week at InnSure's Climate Forum (late September 2026)
Required Application Material
Maximum of 25 slides, covering:
Executive summary
Problem statement and financial risk identified
Technical solution description with step-change improvement evidence
Letter of interest/commitment from MGA/carrier partner, or financial/asset investor.
Clear articulation of path to scalability/wide adoption
Team qualifications and track record
For finalists:
Virtual pitch to panelists
Financial projections and deployment timeline
Demo video or proof-of-concept results (optional but encouraged for Finalists)
Frequently Asked Questions
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3 Winners each receive:
$200k non-dilutive revenue-based loan (to/from InnSure)
InnSure Creation Labs acceleration support (at cost of $30k from each winner)
Access to funders ecosystem (Schmidt, Builders Vision)
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We welcome applications from early- to growth-stage companies with demonstrated technology capability. The requirement to have a letter of interest from an MGA or carrier means some proof of concept is expected — but InnSure can help make those introductions during the application phase.
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You need a letter of interest from at least one MGA, insurance carrier or financial/asset investor by the time of submission. If you don't have one yet, reach out early — InnSure actively facilitates these introductions for promising applicants.
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Yes. This is a global prize open to innovators anywhere in the world, subject to applicable trade restrictions. Winners will be expected to work with U.S.-based carrier or MGA partners for deployment.
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It is a non-dilutive revenue-based loan from InnSure — not a grant and not equity. The structure is designed to be founder-friendly, with repayment tied to revenue milestones rather than fixed schedules.
$200k non-dilutive revenue-based loan (to/from InnSure) - opportunity to shift to grant if 1:1 (or greater) matching grant funds are available.
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Winners receive:
Structured acceleration plan — a customized roadmap with milestone development, monthly support check-ins, and a bespoke support plan tailored to each winner's solution
Insurance industry navigation — expert guidance through the fragmented insurance landscape, including regulatory, compliance, licensing, and market structure complexity.
Curated warm introductions — direct connections to carriers, reinsurers, MGAs, data and analytics providers, investors, and government partners relevant to decarbonization.
Live pilot deployment — facilitated integration with a committed MGA or insurance carrier partner to deploy the winning solution in a real underwriting environment.
Community connection — access to mission-aligned communities serving as real-world testing environments for new insurance solutions.
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Number of policies written using winning solutions
New financial capital deployed to climate technology sector
Market adoption beyond initial carrier partners
Roadmap/path to CO2 emissions reduction
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InnSure is actively building the judging panel and seeking program partners from across the insurance and climate tech sectors. Reach out to chris@innsure.org to discuss.
Launch Webinar
On June 24, we hosted a live Q&A webinar walking through everything you need to know about the Decarbonization Risk Management Innovation Prize — eligibility, the application process, what we're looking for in applicants, and more.
What We Covered:
What the Decarb Prize is and why it matters
Who is eligible to apply
How the application and selection process works
Q&A with the InnSure team
Missed Our Info Webinar? Watch the Recording.
