Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Vishnu Nanduri. I am the Regional Head of Analytics and AI for Asia (excl-GC) for Munich RE’s non-life business. My background is in AI and ML and I have a PhD focused on Reinforcement Learning applications to the electric power industry. I worked as an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the US for over 4 years before switching to the Industry full time for the better part of the last decade. I have led large data science teams at companies like IBM. I am currently in-charge of developing the AI and ML strategy for Munich RE in the region and providing AI services to MR clients. I am currently leading the development and launch of a new AI product for insurance claims for the region.
How do you engage with startups? How do you help founders with their entrepreneurial journey?
I engage in informal discussions with startup founders. I am usually listening to the idea closely and try to provide any industry insights that I can, based on my experience in AI and ML with particular focus in the FinTech and InsurTech space. As an advisor, and as someone that has met with execs of at least 50-60 insurers in Asia, I can provide a frame of reference to the startups and serve as a sounding board for their ideas.
What are some of your highlights as an advisor?
I like the 1-1 office hours much more than pitch events, since we can deep-dive into concepts and possible solutions. These also lead to broadening our professional networks, coffee catch ups, and other avenues for further collaborations in the future. One example is a podcast I did with one of the startups I met through Office Hours. The podcast is a personal project where I speak with AI Leaders and Innovators from around the world on my own website. We had an informal yet thoughtful conversation around building digital behaviour modification tools for better health, which anyone can listen to here: https://vnanduri.buzzsprout.com/824722/3596365-building-digital-behavioral-modification-tools-for-better-health-with-aktivo-s-gourab-mukherjee
What made you want to become an advisor with Plug and Play?
To contribute my experience and expertise to budding startups and of course to learn more about the ecosystem.
What’s the value of being an advisor?
Being an advisor is a win-win for both the advisor and the advisee. While the startups receive an industry perspective about their idea, the advisors gain new knowledge, new professional relationships, and an expanded network in a very exciting space.
Written by: Vishnu Nanduri
Vishnu Nanduri is one of our Insurtech mentors, and he is the Regional Head of Analytics and AI for Asia at Munich RE.
Interested in being one of our mentors? Join our platform here!
