When to build, when to partner, when to acquire

Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Innovation Through Strategic Foresight

As innovation accelerates, insurers face constant decisions: build internally, partner with insurtechs, or acquire capability outright. This session explores how strategic leaders evaluate those choices. What signals justify acquisition? When does partnership create real advantage? And when must capability be owned to protect differentiation? The focus is on long-term positioning  aligning capital, technology investment, and competitive strategy in a rapidly shifting market.

Session Moderator
Karlyn Carnahan
Karlyn Carnahan, Head, North America Insurance - Celent
Speakers
Sean Merat
Sean Merat, CEO - Owl.co