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. 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
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 partner with startups who have the potential to transform the insurance and financial services industries.
We invest in early-to-late stage startups that normally range between $1M and $5M in these industries:
Digital
solutions
Develop novel solutions that focus on the digitization of business models, engagement, markets, solutions, interactions and connectivity.
Living comfortably
in retirement
Meet income and non-income consumer needs in retirement.
Evolving needs
of mobility
Provide services for consumers or businesses with new types of mobility, requireing new protection.
Protecting data
& digital assets
Protect businesses and consumers from cyber attacks through breadth of service offering.
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.
Amelia joins Nationwide’s ventures team having been a founding member of two corporate innovations teams within GE where she contributed to product development efforts ranging from novel home appliances to industrial inspection technologies. She also managed an evergreen startup seed fund in Louisville, Kentucky. She is former professional ballerina and actively serves on various boards in support of dance and visual art in the region. Amelia earned her Cert of Finance from Cornell University and BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Louisville’s Speed School of Engineering.
Advisory Team
Vice President, Technology Innovation & Strategy
SVP, CFO Financial Services & Insurance
Chief Investment Officer
SVP, CFO Property & Casualty
SVP, Chief Innovation Officer
Head of Alternatives