Editor’s note: this press release was distributed by Aon and is translated with DeepL and published here with their permission.
Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a global professional services firm, is entering into a long-term partnership with HighTechXL to help startups and scale-ups develop their risk management.
During the nine-month program, both parties will learn how their risks are evolving and the companies will be made risk-aware. In addition, at the end of the program, Aon facilitates with a unique insurance solution. “We make the companies ‘risk ready’ and give them access to a selection of insurers who jointly bear the risk. Together we thus stimulate innovation and the further growth of the startups and scale-ups,” explains Astrid van Helvoort, director of Business Development Brainport Eindhoven at Aon.
John Bell, CEO of HighTechXL says, “HighTechXL is the only Dutch deep-tech venture building program. We leverage the unique talent and expertise in the Brabant region and focus on building companies that address major societal challenges, such as climate change, security, healthcare and telecommunications.”
Startups and scale-ups are primed in HighTechXL’s deep-tech venture building program to continue to grow fast, lean and competitive. During the program, they are connected with investors and mentors who help them do grow.
Aon also participates in the program and provides a workshop on liability, cybersecurity and intellectual property. “We help the companies become risk-adverse. Be aware and prepared for what can happen. And in the process, we offer them a unique insurance solution to protect their primary risks. It provides a low-threshold gateway for customization that can eventually grow into a scale-up.”
During the program, Aon and the risk carriers can closely monitor how the risks of the startups and scale-ups evolve. That insight also makes co-creation of insurability more accessible. “We see that, to date, startups and scale-ups do not receive sufficient support when it comes to developing their risk management. In addition, it proves very difficult to professionally provide these types of companies with their primary insurance needs. Ignorance, rapid growth cycles, accessibility, size and complexity are random factors that hinder smooth cooperation in this segment. We are now putting an end to this together with HighTechXL and a special selection of insurers,” Van Helvoort concludes.
About HighTechXL
HighTechXL is the world’s leading venture-building accelerator that builds teams of entrepreneurs and engineering talent around the world’s most advanced technology from CERN, ESA, TNO, Philips and other global innovators.
About Aon
Aon is in the business of better decisions. We ensure our clients are better informed and advised to protect and improve the lives of people around the world. In doing so, we help our clients grow their organizations. We do this with 2,500 colleagues in the Netherlands and in cooperation with 50,000 colleagues in more than 120 countries. For more information, visit www.aon.nl.
