Decarbonization Risk Management Prize
De-risking the next generation of decarbonization
through smarter underwriting.
SUPPORTED BY
Schmidt Family Foundation Founded in 2006 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt, the Schmidt Family Foundation works to restore a balanced relationship between people and planet through grantmaking and impact investing. The Foundation awards grants through its programs—including the 11th Hour Project and Schmidt Marine Technology Partners—supporting organizations on the frontlines of environmental justice, clean energy, sustainable food systems, and ocean health.
Builders Vision is an impact platform dedicated to supporting people and organizations building a more humane and healthy planet through philanthropy, investment, and advocacy. The organization aims to shift markets and minds for good by offering a range of tools to help seed and scale sustainable solutions across three key focus areas: Oceans, Food & Agriculture, and Energy.
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, 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.
Prize Structure
Three winners are selected through a rigorous judging process and receive both capital and hands-on acceleration support to bring their solutions to market.
Who Should Apply
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.
✓ 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, 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.
Prize Timeline
Judging Process
We Aim for ~25 completed submissions/applications
Narrow to ~20 in-scope full submissions that meet all qualifications
Down-select to ~10 Finalists via 5-person judging panel of subject-matter experts
Criteria:
Technical feasibility of improvement (MORE DETAIL data, computing, tools, science, etc.) [30%]
Team/Expertise
Business concept viability review (concept, stakeholders, partners, business plan, etc.) [40%]
Climate impact assessment (CO2 emissions, environmental impact, etc.) [30%]
Level of Financial Partner Commitment
Final Winners will be chosen via pitch event and detailed business plan by different 5-person judging panel (including insurance MGA/carrier judges and pilot host communities) – at this point we can identify if we want more than 3 winners, we could potentially loop in other funders or expand budget if so desired.
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(s) of commitment from MGA/carrier partner(s)
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.
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Winners receive $200k non-dilutive funding
→ Awarded to each of 3 winners
→ Revenue-based loan from InnSure
→ No equity taken
→ Disbursed against milestones
→ Full Creation Labs acceleration.
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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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Administered by InnSure with specialized focus on decarbonization risks.
Marketing and outreach to relevant potential innovators
Application management and technical assistance
Expert judging panel coordination and facilitation
Pilot deployment facilitation and monitoring
Industry convening and knowledge sharing
Impact reporting and program evaluation
Acceleration services through InnSure’s Creation Labs offering
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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.
