Kamet

Kamet is a prominent insurtech startup studio, established in 2016 by global insurance giant AXA and led by Stéphane Guinet, former CEO of AXA Global Direct. Unlike traditional venture capital firms, Kamet operates as a venture builder, identifying market gaps within the insurance, health, and assistance sectors, and subsequently building companies from the ground up to address these opportunities. This unique model involves providing not only significant seed capital but also extensive operational support, strategic guidance, and access to a network of industry experts, enabling its ventures to scale rapidly.

The studio has been substantially backed by AXA, which initially committed $100 million and later injected an additional $100 million, bringing Kamet's total capital pool to $200 million. This substantial funding allows Kamet to take a hands-on approach, often retaining a majority stake in the early stages of its portfolio companies. Kamet's strategic focus extends beyond core insurtech to adjacent areas such as healthtech, fintech, and artificial intelligence, always with an eye towards innovative solutions that can disrupt or enhance existing markets. Its operational hubs are strategically located in Paris, London, and New York, reflecting its global ambition and reach.

Kamet's typical initial investment, or "first cheque" in its studio context, ranges from €3 million to €5 million for each new venture it incubates. This substantial early-stage funding is designed to provide the necessary runway for product development, team building, and initial market validation. Since its inception, Kamet has successfully launched and nurtured over a dozen companies, many of which have gone on to raise significant follow-on funding from external investors or achieve successful exits. Notable examples include Akur8, an AI-powered pricing solution for insurers that has raised tens of millions in venture capital, and Qare, a leading telemedicine platform that was later acquired by HealthHero, demonstrating Kamet's ability to create and scale impactful businesses within its target sectors.