TORONTO, July 27, 2016 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial is
making digital waves as the first Canadian insurance company to
partner with Plug and Play Tech Center, a U.S.-based global
technology accelerator that connects top start-ups from around the
world to corporations and investors. This new arrangement will help
position Sun Life Financial at the helm of insurance industry
innovation and closely follows a partnership struck with MaRS
Discovery District, one of North
America's largest urban innovation hubs.
"At Sun Life, we know there is so much more we can do for our
Clients in a digitally-driven world," said Dean Connor, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Sun Life Financial. "Inserting ourselves into the stream
with Plug and Play will help us experiment, and will speed up the
delivery of cutting-edge solutions for Clients."
Plug and Play runs 12 week industry-specific programs throughout
the year and connects a select group of start-ups from around the
world with its corporate partners. As part of the insurance
vertical program, Sun Life Financial, along with other financial
institutions, will work with start-ups by providing mentorship and
business development support to help them develop a working
prototype. At the end of the 12 week program, the start-ups pitch
their ideas to investors and insurance executives at Plug and
Play's EXPO.
"This program is geared to help companies elevate the way they
approach their business, creating opportunities that can define
their sector," said Saeed Amidi,
Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Plug and Play. "We are
thrilled to be working with Sun Life, a forward-thinking,
innovation-focused organziation. We look forward to seeing the
amazing outcomes from this 12 week program."
Sun Life Financial will be focusing on the areas of Insurance,
Health, IoT (Internet of Things), Media & Mobile and Fintech
& Security, with leaders from different streams participating.
The program is slated to begin at the end of August.
About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services
organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth
products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun
Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide,
including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong
Kong, the Philippines,
Japan, Indonesia, India, China,
Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March
31, 2016, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had
total assets under management of $861
billion. For more information please visit
www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New
York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the
ticker symbol SLF.
About Plug and Play Tech Center
Plug and Play Tech Center is the world's largest global technology
accelerator and venture fund. Since inception in 2006, the program
has expanded worldwide to include entrepreneurs from 24 countries,
providing necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley. With
over 350 start-ups and 300 corporate partners - it is the ultimate
start-up ecosystem. Plug and Play provides active investments with
180 leading Silicon Valley venture capitalists, and more than 365
networking events per year. Companies in the community have raised
over $3.5 billion in funding, with
successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club,
PayPal, SoundHound, and Zoosk. For more information visit
www.plugandplaytechcenter.com
SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.