Here is a baker's dozen (plus one) of technology firms that I find exciting or interesting and feel are companies to watch. Some, like Guidewire and Salesforce, I have followed and written about for many years. Others are technology firms I have recently written about (e.g. Clari). Some technology firms are public, and others are private.
Caveats:
- The following 14 companies to watch (including two pairs of partnerships) are technology firms that I think insurers should be watching or possibly consider whether to use in 2016.
- I didn't use any "scientific reasoning" or market share data to include (or exclude) companies. Other than Apple, Google and IBM, I do not own shares in any of the technology firms. (Not that I own enough shares of any of these companies to retire to the beaches of Maui anyway....)
- By including technology firms on this list, I am in no way implicitly or explicitly saying that I will only follow/research/write about these firms in 2016. That is not the case: I plan to write about other technology firms in 2016.
My personal list of exciting or interesting technology firms
Here is my list in alphabetical order:
- Apple-IBM partnership (specifically the insurance industry applications)
- Box
- CafeX
- Clari
- Dropbox
- Google (specifically, Google Compare)
- Guidewire
- Librestream-Symbility partnership (Symbility is Librestream's partner to go to market in insurance)
- Salesforce
- Slack
- Vlocity
Going forward
Do with this list what you will.
Next year, I plan to create short snapshots of these firms (or partnerships) in which I discuss why insurers should care about these technology firms.
However, I do suggest that you - whether an insurer or technology firm - create your own watch lists. Add to them, delete from them and otherwise keep your lists (and the reasons you have certain firms on the list) vibrant.
