Novella Named to CB Insights’ 2026 Insurtech 50 for AI-Driven Commercial Insurance Innovation
By Lauren Towner · 25 September 2026
In brief: Novella has been named to the 2026 CB Insights Insurtech 50, highlighting its success as an AI-powered wholesaler that simplifies complex commercial insurance for brokers and underwriters.
| Recognition | 2026 CB Insights Insurtech 50 |
|---|---|
| Team Growth | From 3 to 14 producers in 12 months |
| Cohort Funding | $3.0B total equity raised |
| Market Focus | Commercial Insurance Wholesaling |

CB Insights today named Novella to its fifth annual Insurtech 50, showcasing the 50 most promising insurtech startups in the world. Novella was specifically recognized for its achievements in Commercial Insurance.
"The 2026 Insurtech 50 reveals the top startups shaking up the insurance industry's status quo," said Chris Sekerak, Lead Analyst at CB Insights. "The common thread across the cohort is the ability to scale differentiated businesses that are unlikely to be displaced by large AI or insurance companies."
“Novella is proud to be recognized alongside some of our great peers. Our thesis from the start was that pairing world-class insurance talent with world-class AI talent would create the best broker experience in the world, and that remains our goal today,” said Max Kane, Novella CEO.
The list includes 27 insurers and intermediaries, and 23 tech vendors. The research team picked winning companies based on CB Insights datasets, including deal activity, industry partnerships, team strength, investor strength, executive interviews, and proprietary metrics.
Novella makes complicated insurance simple. As the first AI powered wholesaler, the company helps insurance brokers find coverage for their most complex customers. A year ago, Novella had a team of 3 producers; today it has 14 and is growing each month. By pairing world class wholesalers with world class AI, Novella makes the wholesale transaction easy and frictionless for brokers, underwriters and insureds alike.
Quick facts on the 2026 Insurtech 50:
- Raised $3.0B in equity funding over time, including more than $0.8B in 2026 so far (16% of YTD insurtech funding).
- Disclosed 70+ partnerships since 2025, including with industry leaders like ADP, Marsh, and Sun Life.
- Includes 31 early-stage startups, 14 of which are at the seed stage.
- Employs 5,400+ people, with a median headcount of 52 across the cohort.
- Ranks among the top 4% of private companies globally for overall health and growth potential.
Novella is the first AI native insurance wholesaler protecting some of the largest, most complicated physical assets in the world. Novella’s specialty AI agents are trained to help insurance brokers find coverage for their hardest to place customers and underwriters bind more accounts.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Novella named to the 2026 Insurtech 50?
Novella was selected for the 2026 CB Insights Insurtech 50 due to its innovative AI-powered wholesale model and strong growth metrics. CB Insights evaluated the company based on deal activity, industry partnerships, and its ability to scale a differentiated business that simplifies complex commercial insurance placement for brokers.
How does Novella’s AI-powered wholesale platform work?
Novella uses specialty AI agents trained to assist insurance brokers in finding coverage for their most complex and hard-to-place customers. By pairing world-class insurance talent with AI, the platform makes wholesale transactions frictionless for brokers, underwriters, and insureds, specifically targeting large physical assets.
What is the growth trajectory of Novella?
Novella has demonstrated significant momentum, growing its production team from 3 to 14 producers within a single year. This rapid scaling, combined with its 'AI-native' approach, has positioned the company among the top 4% of private companies globally for health and growth potential according to CB Insights.
About the companies
CB Insights
Website · 5 stories on FF News since 2026
Previously on FF News:
- Federato Named to CB Insights Insurtech 50 as AI-Native Core System Disruptor 28 September 2026
- CB Insights Partners with Nasdaq to Launch Exclusive Private Market Datasets on Data Link 10 September 2026
- OwlTing Group Reports 174% Month-Over-Month Surge in OwlPay Harbor Payment Volume 3 September 2026
Novella
1 story on FF News since 2026
Companies in this story: CB Insights, Novella
People in this story: Chris Sekerak, Max Kane