Insurance doesn’t change because technology exists. It changes because someone is brave enough to apply it where it truly matters. In this episode of Scouting for Growth, Sabine VanderLinden sits down with Antony Elliott, Global Lead for Digital R&D at Zurich Insurance, one of the quiet architects behind Zurich’s digital transformation and early adoption of disruptive technologies at scale. Antony didn’t set out to work in insurance. Like many, he “fell into it.” But what made him stay—and ultimately shape the future of the industry—was simple: too many things were broken, inefficient, or could be done better. Fast forward to today, and Antony sits at the intersection of strategy, experimentation, and execution, helping Zurich identify which emerging technologies are not just exciting—but desirable, feasible, and commercially viable. This conversation is a masterclass in how large insurers actually innovate. Zurich doesn’t start with technology. It starts with a problem or opportunity that matters—to customers, underwriters, claims teams, sustainability leaders, and the board. From there, Antony and his team mobilise stakeholders across the organisation, align on outcomes, and only then scout the ecosystem for the right startups to solve real challenges. One striking example: Zurich now uses computer vision to monitor and assess millions of commercial buildings globally, not just to manage risk—but to actively reduce carbon footprint and support sustainability goals. The same technology is applied in physiotherapy and recovery, ensuring people perform exercises correctly, recover faster, and stay healthier. This is innovation with purpose, not theatre. Antony also pulls back the curtain on Zurich’s Innovation Championship—a rigorous funnel where hundreds of startups are narrowed down to a select few, put through a validation phase, and challenged to prove tangible business value for both Zurich and themselves. No pilots for the sake of pilots. No vanity partnerships. Looking ahead to 2024, Antony sees several inflection points: The rise of generative-AI-native startups built from the ground up Untapped potential in the Internet of Things, especially sensor-driven risk insights A shift from reactive insurance to prevention-led, data-driven propositions Imagine insurers and customers sharing real-time insight into the thing being insured—buildings, equipment, people—so claims are prevented, not just paid. That tipping point, Antony believes, is closer than many think. For founders, his advice is refreshingly blunt: You can have the best technology in the world—but if you cannot explain your value clearly, concisely, and in plain language, you will not get traction inside a global insurer. This episode is essential listening if you are: Building or running innovation or R&D inside an insurer Leading CVC, partnerships, or venture scouting A founder trying to collaborate with Zurich or break into InsurTech An executive balancing experimentation with real business outcomes Because the future of insurance won’t be won by those chasing disruption for disruption’s sake. It will be shaped by those who know how to connect technology, trust, and tangible value—at scale. And that is exactly what this conversation delivers.