Generali is nominated in the Global Innovator category at the Qorus-NTT DATA Innovation in Insurance Awards 2025. We asked the bank to present its strategy and actions in terms of innovation.
Why do you consider your company a Global Innovator?
Generali stands as a global innovator by embedding innovation into every aspect of our organization, fueling growth and transformation. Innovation is woven into our DNA -reflected in our heritage, values, and forward-thinking strategies. Through our Lifetime Partner 27 strategy, we continuously upskill our workforce and deploy advanced AI and data solutions.
With strategic investments of €1.3Bn, a dedicated team of 300+ AI & Data professionals, and over 50 automation engines, we revolutionize the entire insurance value chain.
Our structured training programs cultivate innovation champions across our global network, ensuring scalability and adaptability. Operating in over 50 countries, we harness a robust ecosystem of resources and partnerships to deliver transformative solutions. Generali’s commitment consistently redefines industry standards, positioning us as the most dynamic, future-ready insurer worldwide.
How is a culture of innovation achieved across your company?
Maintaining and fostering a culture of Innovation is essential part of Lifetime Partner 27 strategy and of our values.
This strategy focuses on continuous workforce upskilling through various programs, such as the Global Academy, (upskilling index goal of ≥90%, before 2027), with a special focus on AI and Innovation overall. In particular, Generali continues to build on the success of WeInnovate -our proprietary methodology- enabling all employees to drive innovation and achieve tangible, scalable, and replicable results. The innovation training framework comprehends three levels:
• Basic ~10.000 people (+9% YoY): Focuses on developing awareness.
• Intermediate ~7.000 people (+23% YoY): Builds on foundational knowledge.
• Advanced ~230 people (+11% YoY): Prepares Innovation Champions to create a network of coaches and steer innovation initiatives.
Innovation culture is strengthened through regular idea-sharing initiatives, including:
• The Pulse: a quarterly newsletter reaching 500+ senior managers.
• Global Innovation Communities, where colleagues share ideas and best practices.
What are the major goals and results obtained from your ongoing innovation strategy?
The "Lifetime Partner 27: Driving Excellence" strategy focuses on delivering world-class experiences to customers, agents, and employees by improving customer experience and internal processes.
Generali has over 300+ AI & Data professionals and has deployed 50+ Group AI & automation engines. This has led to Generali maintaining the best RNPS among peers and achieving a 3.0 p.p. Insurance Cost/Income ratio improvement. Generali has also committed to 16 (Gen)AI Group flagship applications being scaled across businesses and geographies, with over €1.3Bn in cumulative investments in AI and technology Group-wide planned before 2027.
Additionally, in 2024 Generali has implemented a cross-group platform to coordinate and control innovation processes, achieving +40% in projects’ scalability and a 4x faster pace of innovation. The group has also created one new hub for Open Innovation dedicated to healthcare in Berlin with Future4Care, adding a fifth hub to its pan-European CorpUp Studios ecosystem.
How does your company manage the overall innovation process?
Generali seamlessly integrates innovation into its organizational fabric through a dynamic ecosystem of assets. Over 45 Communities of Experts fuel concept development, supported by a network of 230+ Innovation Champions and a Central Innovation Team that coordinates projects and scales best practices. Specialized Centers of Excellence in IoT, AI & data further develop these ideas, with the Innovation Fund accelerating their launch across business units and sharing risk inherent in innovation.
Generali’s CorpUp Studios -including HITS (House of Insurtech) and Future4Care-scout, accelerate and incubate promising startups within a pan-European ecosystem.
Building on the success of Generali Ventures with its first €250M CVC fund –highlighted by the investment and commercial partnership with the Unicorn Insurtech Boltech– Generali has committed to launch an upcoming second vintage with Generali Ventures 2.0.
This process integrates ideation with execution, ensuring a seamless flow from concept development to the implementation of new products and services.
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