Sync Technologies wins Guidewire's InsurPitch Sydney

Guidewire has named Sync Technologies the winner of this year's InsurPitch Sydney, held before an audience of 189 in Sydney.

Sydney-based Sync Technologies was chosen from five finalists at the live pitch event. It was recognised for a visual-first platform that helps insurers manage, analyse and collaborate on property claims, as well as the repair and restoration work tied to those claims.

The event brought together insurtech founders, investors and insurance executives, including representatives from 18 insurance companies. Attendees also took part in a live mobile poll, adding an audience element to the judging process.

The judging panel included Bryn McKay, Chief Operating Officer, Codafication; Daniel Dearsley, Claims Value Owner, Hollard Insurance Australia; David Abrahams, Group Chief Technology Officer, IAG; Danielle Whitelock, Chief Operations Officer, Achmea Farm Insurance; Imran Ilyas, Global and U.S. Guidewire Alliance Leader, PwC; Shaji Sethu, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, Guidewire; and Simone Dossetor, Chief Executive Officer, InsurTech Australia.

The result highlights insurer interest in tools designed to improve property claims handling, an area where delays, fragmented information and disputes over repair scope can drive up costs. Sync Technologies said its system gives claims teams and repair partners a clearer view of jobs and property conditions.

Five finalists

The other finalists reflected a broad range of insurance technology themes, from claims and compliance to policy data and risk management.

Sydney-based Curium develops compliance and claims software for insurance and superannuation operations. Melbourne-based Haven ERM offers a digital psychological safety and disclosure management platform. Sydney-based myVal has built an app that uses AI to document and manage home contents for insurance purposes. Darwin-based Raindrop focuses on turning complex policy wording into structured data that can be used more easily by professionals, consumers and software systems.

Insurtech competitions have become one way for early-stage firms to gain exposure to insurers, which often move cautiously when adopting new tools. For large carriers, claims remains one of the most visible areas for technology investment because it directly affects customer outcomes, supplier management and operating costs.

Carolina Dreifuss, Chief Executive Officer, Sync Technologies, said: "We're absolutely thrilled to be named the winner of InsurPitch Sydney. The calibre of this year's finalists made the competition incredibly inspiring, and we're honoured to be recognised by such an engaged audience of insurance professionals. Events like InsurPitch create meaningful opportunities for emerging insurtechs to connect with the industry, validate new ideas, and accelerate growth. We can't wait to take the next step with Guidewire at Connections and continue helping insurers solve some of their most important business challenges."

Claims focus

Property claims have become a particularly active area for insurance technology providers, especially in markets facing weather-related losses, building cost inflation and pressure on repair supply chains. Systems that improve triage, documentation and collaboration can help insurers shorten decision times and reduce disputes between claims handlers, builders and policyholders.

Guidewire has used the InsurPitch format to bring startups and insurance groups into the same room, aiming to surface practical applications rather than broad technology concepts. The Sydney competition underlined how widely AI-related tools now feature across insurance operations, from claims handling to policy interpretation.

Laura Drabik, Chief Evangelist, Guidewire, said: "Congratulations to all five finalists and especially this year's InsurPitch Sydney winner. The ideas showcased today demonstrate how insurtechs are helping insurers solve real business challenges with practical, scalable solutions. From improving underwriting and claims to creating better customer experiences, these innovations have the potential to deliver meaningful impact across the industry. We look forward to seeing this year's winner continue to grow and help shape the future of insurance."

Shaji Sethu, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, Guidewire, said: "InsurPitch Sydney is a testament to the strength of Australia's insurtech ecosystem and the ingenuity of the entrepreneurs driving it forward. By bringing together startups, insurers, investors and industry leaders, the event creates opportunities for emerging companies to build partnerships, refine their solutions and accelerate growth. Through the Guidewire ecosystem, we're proud to provide and support a platform that helps connect Australian innovation with customers and partners across the global insurance community and showcases it to a worldwide audience."