Danilo Raponi: Driving Insurance Innovation & Sustainability at Generali (Driving Insurance Innovation & Sustainability)

On this episode of the Scouting For Growth podcast, Sabine VdL talks to Danilo Raponi about the trends and topics from this year’s ITC London event, including AI, sustainability, new startups, and why InsurTech isn’t dead. KEY TAKEAWAYS          Climate change is the biggest risk, along with misinformation and generative AI, because its misuse can amplify its spread, affecting many economies and democracies. Partnerships are essential, though it’s not always super easy, especially when we’re talking about public/private partnerships. There has to be awareness on both sides that the starting points can differ, but the goals and objectives we want to achieve are the same. For example, the public sector doesn’t always seek profit as a motive, but it may recognize that the private sector has to make money somehow. Technology can really help us with risk protection and the monitoring and detection of things like forest fires. There are fantastic startups out there with devices that detect forest fires extremely early, including devices you can place strategically where fires are likely to occur, as well as satellites. There are many materials that can now be used to rebuild houses and make them less prone to burning down. When these risk mitigations are in place, it becomes easier for insurers to provide insurance. Insurance and reinsurance are essential to make the world work. And they’ve been important in growth and innovation across the world, going back to the merchants in Venice. Attracting talent from the younger generation is important, but they need to work in a place that lives up to its values. It’s easier to attract talent in innovation because it’s all about technology, and it’s cool. But when you combine purpose with that and show the positive outcomes the products will have for other people, it becomes even easier. BEST MOMENTS ‘Generali is a 200-year-old startup, which is a fancy way of saying that we’ve always had a remarkable ability to stay ahead of the trends, innovate and be close to our customers.’ ‘We need to be humble. These are big things that no one can solve on their own.’ ‘Parametrics can be an option to be looked at in modelling and technologies around insuring the ‘uninsurable’.’ ‘There’s a growing awareness that all the issues that the world is facing are big ones, but they can also be turned into opportunities for insurance companies.’ ABOUT THE GUEST Danilo Raponi is the Group Head of Innovation at Generali, Managing Director, Board Member, Angel Investor, MBA (Bocconi), PhD (Cambridge) Danilo Raponi serves as Group Head of Innovation at Generali, one of the world’s leading insurance and financial services companies. In this capacity, he focuses on accelerating the company’s strategic and business transformation and spearheading new product development to enhance customer experience. Alongside his executive role, Danilo is a Managing Director and Board Member, helping guide strategic decision-making and long-term growth across multiple initiatives. He is also leading Generali Ventures, the VC initiative of the Generali Group, bridging corporate strategy with entrepreneurial ecosystems. Danilo holds a Master of Science summa cum laude from LUISS University in Rome, an MBA from the Bocconi School of Management, and a PhD from the University of Cambridge. These academic achievements underpin his multidisciplinary approach to innovation, enabling him to navigate complex challenges and foster impactful solutions within Generali’s global network. ABOUT THE HOST Sabine VanderLinden is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur and the CEO of Alchemy Crew Ventures. She leads venture-client labs that help Fortune 500 companies adopt and scale cutting-edge technologies from global tech ventures. A builder of accelerators, investor, and co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, Sabine is known for asking the uncomfortable questions—about AI governance, risk, and trust. On Scouting for Growth, she decodes how real growth happens—where capital, collaboration, and courage meet. If this episode sparked your thinking, follow Sabine VanderLinden on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram for more insights. And if you’re interested in sponsoring the podcast, reach out to the team at [email protected]