3 reasons why Tampa Bay is the next insurtech startup frontier

When people think "tech hub," Tampa doesn't always top the list. But that's quickly changing. Last year, Forbes named Tampa the number one emerging tech city in the United States – and it will likely continue to grow.

That's one reason I left New York City for Tampa Bay. For insurtech startups, Tampa promises huge opportunities to gain experience – and the right infrastructure to power long-term growth. Here, I'll explain three reasons why insurtechs should look to Tampa as their next frontier.

#1: Tampa is a training ground for insurance innovation

In Florida, insurance is one of the most important financial services – and one of the most complex.

Most of the state is prone to hurricanes and flooding, which makes for complex claims events that require efficient customer communication. If insurtech startups can make it in Florida, they can make it pretty much anywhere.

One way insurtechs can make their mark: focus on boosting automation. Even in Florida, the insurance space is years behind other financial services. And as more millennials and Gen Zers buy insurance, they'll want a personalized, tech-first experience.

At my old firm, I noticed ways that automation could lead to more personalized guidance, faster risk analysis, and more. But after waiting (and waiting) for more well-funded incumbents to build a solution, I realized I could do it myself – and Tampa was the place to start.

Tampa's a young city. The median age is just over 35, and its population is booming as other American cities shrink. As more young people move to Tampa, they're starting families and building businesses. In other words, they'll have complex insurance needs. And for insurtechs, there's room to automate the buying and advising experience.

The best way to reach them? Insurtechs can focus on…

1. Personalized customer education and guidance. Insurtechs can provide industry news and guidance tailored to customer's individual needs. And with customer engagement software, users can access this information when and where they want to.
2. Automated back-end risk analysis. With tech-powered risk assessment, insurtechs can deliver an experience that customers expect – and ultimately earn their trust.

With the right approach, Tampa-based insurtechs can cut their teeth in the local market and build a solid foundation to scale.

#2: Tampa has a strong startup ecosystem

One major reason I moved to Tampa: the opportunity for tech startups. The city is on its way to becoming the tech capital of Florida. And thanks to its robust startup ecosystem, it has the right infrastructure to support newcomers.

To start, Tampa's home to established VC firms looking to invest in local innovation. Groups like Florida Funders have already invested millions in Florida-based insurtechs. They understand the value of digital transformation in insurance – and they're ready to back more Tampa-based industry disruptors.

Something else in Tampa's startup ecosystem: access to powerful incubators. Take Embarc Collective, for example, which advises new founders on everything from talent and marketing to strategy and development. Other Tampa-based insurtechs can expect the same. Here, they'll have access to funding and guidance to power long-term growth.

#3: Tampa's tech community is growing fast

In Florida, many incumbent insurers are based in the big metro areas, like Orlando and Miami. But for insurtechs, Tampa promises something different: a growing tech community.

From 2016 to 2020, Tampa's tech job pool grew by 23.5%. Today, it accounts for over 25% of tech jobs statewide. It's helped Florida become the number-two state for tech jobs in the country.

Insurtechs can take advantage of this job growth. As more tech workers move to Tampa, local insurtechs can build up their in-house talent. And with a growing local tech community, newcomers will enjoy a full-fledged ecosystem of businesses, amenities, and resources. Tampa won't just be a place to move to – it'll be a place to stay.

Keep an eye on the Tampa insurtech space

I moved from New York to Tampa in 2018 because of the burgeoning insurtech space. And others are quickly following. In 2020, TrustLayer relocated from Silicon Valley to Tampa Bay, raising $20 million after arrival. And in 2021, Slide chose Tampa for its headquarters. Today, it's one of the three largest insurtechs in the country.

Over the next few years, more insurtechs will come to Tampa for the sandbox environment it provides. With the right backing and trust, Tampa-based insurtechs can transform the insurance industry.