Nationwide Ventures
We are Nationwide Ventures, an innovation engine investing in entrepreneurs and startups that are shaping the future of insurance and financial services. We bring the assets and values of a Fortune 100 mutual company to the startup community.
Our Approach
Nationwide Ventures invests in startups, pilots new technologies, and tests new solutions and business models through Refinery 191, our business incubator. We focus on delivering next-generation experiences for Nationwide’s customers by exploring leading-edge topics from analytics and automation technology to new insurance and financial services platforms.
Partnership is key to the success of the Nationwide Ventures model. Our aim is to improve the financial security of Nationwide’s members by co-creating value with startup companies and working with strong investment partners.
When entering an investing partnership with us, you'll get more than just financial backing. We can provide:
- Access to Nationwide's relationships, capabilities, distribution, analytics and expertise
- Facilitation of pilots, proofs of concept and commercial relationships with Nationwide
- Access to Refinery 191, Nationwide's innovation lab and startup incubator
Portfolio
Strategy
Nationwide Ventures is an innovation engine focused on investments that will accelerate the digitization of Nationwide's core and adjacent businesses. We seek to work with companies who have the potential to transform the insurance and financial services industries.
We can provide capital to early-to-late stage startups with a focus to invest between $1M and $5M per opportunity in these areas:
Next generation solutions
Entrepreneurs that are changing the way people protect what matters most in retirement, insurance and financial services.
Big data, analytics and automation
Innovators in artificial intelligence, automation, and big data and analytics that revolutionize current business platforms, interactions and processes.
Digital
Companies that focus on the digitization of business models, engagement, markets, solutions, interactions and connectivity.
Meet our Team
Erik's background is primarily technology startups and large financial institutions. Prior to leading the venture capital group at Nationwide, he led the disruptive innovation group focused on developing and incubating novel concepts with the potential to disrupt the financial services ecosystem. Prior to joining Nationwide, Erik worked in the public sector as North Carolina's Chief Digital Officer and has held a number of strategy and executive roles at tech startups and Fortune 500 companies. He was also an Executive-in Residence at the MIT Media Lab for three years. Erik earned a BSBA from Bloomsburg University with a minor in Philosophy and a MBA from Penn State University. He has 50 issued patents and over 100 pending.
Brian joins the corporate venture capital group at Nationwide having spent his professional career focused on technology, innovation, strategy, and finance. Most recently he worked in early-stage venture capital as an Associate and Venture Fellow helping entrepreneurs with product development, business strategy, hiring, and sales. He has and continues to serve on various advisory and investment committees throughout the Midwest. Brian earned his MBA from the Kelley School of Business, Indiana University and a BA in Economics from The Colorado College.
Advisory Team
Vice President, Technology Innovation & Strategy
SVP, CFO Nationwide Financial
Chief Investment Officer
SVP, CFO Property & Casualty
Head of Alternatives
Connect With Us
Are you developing a new solution that fits with the Nationwide Ventures strategy?
Please send your overview deck that includes the following items:
- Your clearly defined competitive advantage and growth plan
- How you'll focus on disruptive technologies that create efficiencies
- A business model that is predictable, scalable and profitable
- Your vision to be the best in your industry