# Descartes Underwriting

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/descartes-underwriting

- Industry: Insurance
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- Website: www.descartesunderwriting.com
- Total disclosed funding: $141M
- Latest round: Series B (Jun 7, 2025)
- Investors on record: 8

## About

Founded in 2018 in Paris, France, Descartes Underwriting SAS focuses on providing innovative insurance solutions. The company was established by Sebastien Piguet and Tanguy Touffut, who serves as CEO. In June 2025, Descartes Underwriting SAS raised Series B funding from Battery Ventures. 
Descartes Underwriting specializes in offering parametric insurance solutions designed to address climate, cyber, and emerging risks. Their core product offerings leverage a data-driven approach that utilizes advanced risk modeling techniques, machine learning, and real-time monitoring, primarily from satellite imagery and IoT data. These products pay out based on predefined triggering events rather than actual incurred losses, allowing clients to access funds quickly and without the need for lengthy claims processes. Descartes' target clientele includes corporate and public sector clients across various industries, such as agriculture, energy, hospitality, and financial institutions, providing coverage in regions significantly exposed to climate-related risks, such as North America, Europe, and parts of Asia-Pacific. The company's innovative solutions aim to bridge protection gaps left by traditional indemnity insurance, thereby enhancing resilience against natural catastrophes like floods, hurricanes, and cyber threats.
Descartes Underwriting generates revenue primarily through its parametric insurance products, structured around agreements with corporate clients and brokers. Clients pay premiums based on customized policies tailored to their specific risk exposures, often involving B2B partnerships. The firm collaborates closely with clients to define payout structures and triggering events, ensuring clarity around coverage and compensation. A typical transaction might involve a corporate client securing coverage against extreme weather events, with predetermined payout amounts triggered by specific weather indices. This approach allows Descartes to offer flexible and competitive pricing structures tailored to the unique needs of each client, thereby facilitating swift financial support in times of crisis.

## Funding rounds

- Series B, Jun 7, 2025 — Battery Ventures
- Series B, Jan 30, 2022, $120M — Eurazeo, Cathay Capital, BlackFin Capital Partners, Serena, Seaya Ventures, Mundi Ventures, Highland Europe
- Series A, Sep 1, 2020, $19M — Cathay Capital, BlackFin Capital Partners, Serena
- Seed, Mar 21, 2019, $2.3M — BlackFin Capital Partners

## Investors

- BlackFin Capital Partners (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/blackfin-capital-partners) — Seed, Series A, Series B
- Cathay Capital — Series A, Series B
- Serena (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/serena) — Series A, Series B
- Eurazeo (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/eurazeo) — Series B
- Seaya Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/seaya-ventures) — Series B
- Mundi Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/mundi-ventures) — Series B
- Highland Europe (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/highland-europe) — Series B
- Battery Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/battery-ventures) — Series B