In the second installment of the AI Horizons 2030 series, . we speak with Madalina Preda, US Managing Director at Alchemy Crew Ventures. The interview explores the evolving role of collaboration between insurers, startups and investors – and what it takes to turn innovation into measurable commercial impact.

The discussion examines what defines a truly successful insurer–venture partnership, particularly when balancing long-term strategic alignment with the speed and agility of early-stage companies. It also looks at how corporate venturing teams decide when to invest, when to form strategic partnerships, and when to monitor emerging technologies as the insurance landscape continues to shift.

As AI, connected devices and digital platforms transform how risk is understood and managed, the interview considers how insurers can become stronger, more intentional clients of innovation, creating genuine market demand rather than isolated pilot programmes.

Finally, the conversation looks ahead to 2030, reflecting on how corporate venture and innovation teams may evolve – whether as bridges between incumbents and startups, or as builders of entirely new models within established insurance organisations.

Watch the full interview as part of our coverage of the AI Horizons 2030: Provocations for the Next Decade of Insurance summit, which was produced in partnership with Alchemy Crew Ventures. The summit brought together senior insurance executives, venture investors, and tech founders to explore how AI and emerging technologies can drive responsible, resilient, and customer-centric insurance. The event focused on tackling emerging risks, climate volatility, protection gaps, and AI ethics, while shaping strategies for scaling enterprise adoption across the industry.