Fueling Innovation in Wisconsin (And Beyond)
At American Family Insurance, we’re passionately committed to empowering people to fearlessly pursue their dreams, and carefully protecting them, too. That’s why we’re playing a leading role in fueling the dreams of entrepreneurs and businesses throughout Wisconsin and beyond. As Wisconsin’s largest insurance company, American Family promotes innovation that can improve safety, strengthen communities and restore confidence and well-being.
A Leading Catalyst for What’s Next
Through American Family Ventures, we invest in startups that create digital connections among individuals, vehicles, households and organizations to improve safety and the quality of life. The group also funds companies creating next-generation analytics, emerging insurance-related products and business models.
Since 2013, American Family Ventures has invested in more than 20 ventures leveraging exciting disruptive technologies and pioneering new smart devices — everything from a handy app that helps family members keep tabs on each other, to home automation solutions promoting energy efficiency (and peace of mind). amfamventures.com
American Family also helps bring innovative dreams to fruition as the main sponsor of gener8tor, an accelerator program for tech startups based in Madison and Milwaukee. So far, 33 ventures have received gener8tor’s crucial mentor-driven programming and investment support. And that’s just the beginning. gener8tor.com
We’re also helping give innovation a new home in Madison by supporting StartingBlock Madison’s plans to develop an entrepreneurial hub. The 50,000-square-foot state-of-the-art space will provide a haven for next-generation companies to grow their entrepreneurial dreams. startingblockmadison.org
Driving Innovation in the ‘Internet of Things’
By supporting innovation in the “Internet of Things” — networked, smart devices equipped with sensors that exchange data — American Family strives to promote safety and add value to people’s lives.
As a protector of homes, we firmly believe home automation holds tremendous potential to off er additional protection benefiting customers and others.
With this in mind, American Family and Microsoft Corp., through its Microsoft Ventures affiliate, forged a strategic partnership in June 2014 to launch a startup accelerator focused on home automation.
The Microsoft Ventures Accelerator in partnership with American Family Insurance offered a richly immersive experience for startups anywhere, including Wisconsin, that are developing products and services promoting safer and smarter homes.
This Seattle-based accelerator was Microsoft’s first in the U.S. — it has six other accelerators around the globe — and was its fi rst accelerator co-led with another company. microsoftventures.com/locations/seattle
Inspiring and Empowering Business Owners
American Family’s award-winning Business Accelerator Program delivers results-driven information and coaching to thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners, at no extra cost. This online program includes articles, tips, webinars and other learning tools to anyone living the dream of being their own boss. amfambusinessaccelerator.com
Our DreamBank also motivates entrepreneurs and others to pursue and achieve their dreams. Rich with resources, activities and tips, DreamBank helps people dream fearlessly and discover the courage to pursue their passions. amfam.com/dreams
Pursuing your business dream is a lot easier with a passionate partner.
