Scout InsurTech Spotlight with Michael Fiedel

Michael Fiedel is Co-Founder at Scout InsurTech and Co-Founder at PolicyFly, Inc. Mike was interviewed by Zaira Salcido, Ecosystem and Strategic Partnerships at Scout InsurTech.

Mike, how does the Scout InsurTech Conference facilitate direct connections between startups and industry decision-makers to accelerate partnership opportunities?

“At its core, the Scout InsurTech Conference is built to create direct, purposeful connections that simply don’t happen organically in the day-to-day operations of this industry. Startups often face significant barriers when trying to reach the carriers and brokers who could benefit most from their solutions. Scout removes those barriers by designing the conference as a marketplace, an environment where curated meetings and structured networking replace cold outreach and missed opportunities.

The reality is, no amount of panel discussions or thought leadership can match the value of a startup presenting its product directly to a decision-maker and getting unfiltered, in-the-moment feedback. These interactions help startups sharpen their messaging, understand their fit within the ecosystem, and start meaningful conversations that can lead to partnerships or pilots.

For the industry side (carriers, brokers, MGAs) Scout becomes a high-efficiency opportunity to assess what’s out there. Instead of wading through endless emails or vendor demos throughout the year, they can engage with multiple potential partners in one focused, high-energy setting. We design the experience to accelerate the pace of discovery and make connections stick.”

In what ways does the conference’s focus on startup showcases provide carriers and brokers with insights into cutting-edge solutions shaping the future of insurance?

“The startup showcase is more than just a stage; it’s a lens into the future of the industry. Startups bring a unique kind of clarity to the conversation. They’re not speaking in generalities or trends; they’re deep in the trenches, solving real-world problems with urgency, creativity and a focused value proposition. That perspective is invaluable to incumbents trying to keep pace with change.

While large carriers and brokers are aware of the macro innovation themes (AI, automation, embedded insurance, digital claims), they often don’t have visibility into how these themes are being tackled at the ground level. That’s where startups shine. They’re doing the hard work of trying to make these ideas real, and their insight helps separate hype from genuine progress.

For attendees, even those not actively looking to buy, it’s a chance to benchmark solutions, see where innovation is actually gaining traction, and understand how the broader landscape is shifting. It’s about staying sharp, staying informed and staying connected to what’s next.”

How does the Scout InsurTech Conference’s emphasis on networking events enhance collaboration among carriers, brokers, and startups?

“Scout places as much emphasis on who you meet as on what you learn. While content is important, it’s the conversations between sessions, the casual chats, the unexpected introductions and the chance encounters that often have the biggest impact.

Innovation in insurance is a team sport. Underwriters, agents, brokers, claims leaders, product managers, technologists - all of them see different parts of the puzzle. When we create environments that foster informal, cross-functional dialogue, we allow new ideas to emerge and old problems to be seen in new ways.

Our networking experiences are deliberately designed to break down silos. Whether it’s a roundtable, a shared lunch or a city-based meetup tied to the conference, these moments encourage professionals to engage beyond their usual circles. When you hear how someone in a different role or company is approaching a shared challenge, it builds empathy, sparks ideas and lays the groundwork for real collaboration.

And most importantly, it builds trust. This industry still runs on relationships. Scout helps those relationships form more naturally and quickly, so people leave not just with notes but with new allies in the work ahead.”

What distinguishes the Scout InsurTech Conference from other industry events in terms of its impact on the insurance innovation ecosystem?

“What makes Scout different is our commitment to staying close to the ground where real change happens. We’re not trying to be the biggest event in the industry; we’re trying to be the most useful. That means curating experiences that are actionable, focused and aligned with how professionals actually engage with innovation in their day-to-day work.

We see Scout not as a one-off event, but as a catalyst and a launchpad for ongoing discovery, conversation and evolution. While many conferences prioritize big stages and brand name speakers, we focus on quality of interaction. Our programming supports not just innovation leaders, but professionals in underwriting, claims, operations and strategy. These are people who are tasked with implementing new ideas, not just talking about them.

We also believe that innovation isn’t just a ‘tech thing,’ but it’s a mindset. That mindset needs to be nurtured through exposure, conversation and trust. At Scout, we help professionals build the confidence and context they need to engage more meaningfully with both emerging technologies and the people behind them.

Ultimately, Scout is about utility. It’s about showing up, learning something valuable, meeting someone new and walking away better equipped to do your job, helping evolve the industry in the process.”

Scout InsurTech Thanks Its Presenting Partner

And Our Scout InsurTech Partners