HACKNEXT is a new and innovative hackathon format for exchanging ideas on digitalization approaches in the insurance industry and will take place at “Kohlebunker” in Munich from March 7–9, 2019. The three-day digital event will be held for the second time and welcome a large number of specialists and insurance experts. Their goal is to work on new and disruptive solutions for the insurance industry in a tangible and customer-centric format and to directly test these ideas.

Once again, the creative hackathon is at the heart of this year’s HACKNEXT. Within 28 hours, interdisciplinary teams of developers, programmers, designers and idea generators will develop new software solutions and business ideas, competing for prizes of more than 15,000 euros. The teams will address four key challenges of the insurance industry that revolve around retirement planning, smart data, insurance advice of the future and bancassurance.

HACKNEXT 2019 is organized by the global technology consultancy DataArt, the insurance analysts Franke and Bornberg, the creative agency Kaiser X Labs and zeb, the leading strategy and management consultancy for the financial services industry in Europe.

According to the organizers, “the first HACKNEXT 2017 was a completely new format at the time. Various digital approaches, ideas and disruptive formats were openly discussed and tried out by established players and insurtechs. We are glad to have found a suitable location for the second HACKNEXT at Kohlebunker in Munich.”

The HACKNEXT hackathon and its challenges

During the 28-hour hackathon, the participating teams will tackle four key challenges facing the insurance industry:

Challenge 1: “Rethinking retirement”

How much money do people need for a carefree retirement? How can young adults be encouraged to plan their retirement early on? The challenge: to develop concepts that help people to plan their financial future ahead, to maintain control over their retirement age and retire without monetary difficulties.

Challenge 2: “Fully exploiting the potential of smart data”

People produce new data daily. Based on that data, insurers calculate potential risks. How can insurance companies and customers alike benefit from this enormous amount of data? How can insurance companies reduce the risks and prevent accidents instead of covering incurred damages? The challenge: to identify new potentials and to show how customers can make their lives safer and more convenient through smart insurance products or assistance services.

Challenge 3: “(R)evolution of the insurance agent”

Even the ancient Greeks already knew: panta rhei = everything flows.  How will insurance policies be sold in 2025? What will be the best way for brokers to connect with customers and offer additional help? What will successful advisory services of the future look like? How could technology optimize the entire advisory process, from accurate risk assessment to post-claim payment receipt? The challenge: to shape future-proof interactions between insurance companies and agents.

Challenge 4: “The future of digital bancassurance”

Only one in 500 touchpoints between a bank and a customer is face-to-face.  Hence, it is highly relevant to fully exploit the digital interactions between the customers and their banks. The challenge: How can PSD2, online, or mobile banking be used for better risk assessment or for optimizing a customer’s insurance portfolio?  Hackers are asked to present a solution for a more customer-centric bancassurance to make this distribution channel fit for the future.

Participation in the HACKNEXT hackathon

Interested teams, insurance experts, insurtech talents, programmers, design thinkers and students can register for the HACKNEXT hackathon at www.hacknext.de by March 1, 2019. The website also contains information on provided APIs, the schedule, prizes and the rules for participation.

Exciting supporting program for visitors

HACKNEXT offers non-hackers and insurance experts an exciting conference program on March 8 and 9. The audience will witness ideas being developed, attend pitches, take part in workshops of established industry leaders and listen to exciting keynotes. Tickets can be purchased at www.hacknext.de/.

Why HACKNEXT?

The intention of the forum, organized by DataArt, Franke and Bornberg, Kaiser X and zeb, is to establish an innovative hackathon format, promote customer-centric product development methods and boost communication. The event thrives on the dynamic interaction between teams and the lively exchange between hackers and insurance executives.

About zeb

zeb was founded in 1992 and is one of the leading strategy and management consultancies for financial services in Europe. In Germany, zeb operates offices in Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Münster (HQ). Its international locations are in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Kiev, London, Luxembourg, Milan, Moscow, New York City, Oslo, Stockholm, Vienna, Warsaw and Zurich. Its clients include European large-cap and private banks, regional banks, insurers as well as all kinds of financial intermediaries. Several times already, zeb has been classed and acknowledged as “best consultancy” for the financial sector in industry rankings.

zeb contact

Franz-Josef Reuter
Head of Public & International Affairs
Phone +49 251 97128 347
E-Mail franz-josef.reuter@zeb.de