Varun Dua - The Progress Catalyst
- Chief Editor's Desk
- Mar 12
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
A digital insurance & fintech innovator
Varun Dua is a fintech entrepreneur, innovator, and the founder of Acko, India's first fully digital insurance company. With a background in technology-driven financial solutions, he has played a pivotal role in transforming the Indian insurance industry, making policies simpler, more transparent, and customer-friendly. Progress catalyst Varun Dua's expertise in insurtech and digital finance has helped millions of users access affordable and hassle-free insurance solutions through Acko’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) model.
Nationality: Indian
Date of Birth: 25 February 1981
Hometown: Delhi
Parents: Chander Mohan Dua, Rashmi Dua
Spouse: Sapna Rana
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Mumbai
Postgraduate degree in Marketing & Finance from MICA (Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad)
Employment History:
Founder & CEO of Acko (2016–Present)
Co-founder of Coverfox (2013–2016)
Launched Glitterbug Technologies and Enser Communications
Varun also worked with companies including Leo Burnett, TATA AIG Life Insurance and Franklin Templeton Investments
He has also made investments in startups like Dezerv, Kuvera, and BNC
Under his leadership, Acko has become a unicorn start-up, redefining how Indians purchase and manage insurance digitally.
Varun Dua, disrupting the insurance industry
Varun Dua’s journey in digital insurance began when he co-founded Coverfox in 2013, an aggregator platform that simplified online insurance purchases. However, he realised that true disruption could only happen by building an insurance company from the ground up, free from traditional inefficiencies.
In 2016, he founded Acko, a tech-first, fully digital insurance firm that operates with a zero-branch model, making policy issuance, claims processing, and renewals entirely online and paperless. Acko leverages AI, data analytics, and automation to offer instant, personalised insurance plans, disrupting India’s legacy insurance market.
Acko’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) approach eliminates middlemen, reduces costs, and speeds up the claims process, benefiting millions of customers across car, health, gadget, and travel insurance segments. The company has partnered with leading brands like Amazon, Ola, Zomato, and Swiggy, integrating embedded insurance solutions seamlessly into digital transactions.
With over 100 million policies sold, Acko has established itself as one of India’s fastest-growing insurtech firms, backed by investors like Amazon, Accel, and General Atlantic.
Impact Maker Varun Dua
Varun Dua’s impact on the insurance industry is transformational. By introducing a fully digital, customer-centric model, he has made insurance more accessible, affordable, and user-friendly.
Acko’s innovative usage-based insurance allows customers to pay only for what they use, challenging the one-size-fits-all approach of traditional insurers. The company’s hassle-free claims process ensures that settlements happen in hours instead of weeks, enhancing customer satisfaction and trust in digital insurance.
Through Acko’s partnerships with e-commerce, mobility, and travel platforms, Varun has embedded microinsurance policies into everyday transactions, covering millions of customers with minimal friction. His efforts have democratised insurance, making it a seamless, essential part of digital life in India.
Additionally, Acko’s low-cost health insurance products have provided financial security to underserved sections, reinforcing Varun’s commitment to social impact through insurtech.
Change Maker Varun Dua
Varun Dua’s ability to identify inefficiencies in the insurance industry and leverage technology has made him a game-changer in India’s fintech space. His customer-first approach has tackled pain points such as hidden costs, slow claim settlements, and cumbersome paperwork, reshaping the way Indians perceive and purchase insurance.
By introducing big data analytics, AI-driven risk assessment, and instant policy issuance, he has streamlined insurance operations, significantly reducing fraud, processing times, and operational costs. Acko’s flexible, customisable insurance products—from pay-as-you-drive car insurance to health plans for gig workers—reflect his forward-thinking approach to financial security.
His leadership has positioned Acko as a key player in India’s fintech ecosystem, paving the way for more tech-driven insurance models that prioritise transparency, efficiency, and personalisation.
Progress Catalyst Varun Dua
Beyond disrupting the traditional insurance market, Varun Dua is actively shaping India’s digital financial future. His work with Acko has inspired a new wave of insurtech start-ups, pushing banks, NBFCs, and insurance companies to embrace digital transformation.
Acko’s expansion into embedded insurance and AI-powered risk assessment is setting new industry benchmarks, encouraging regulators and legacy insurers to adopt digital-first models. By continuously investing in technology, customer experience, and new-age insurance solutions, Varun is catalysing progress in financial inclusion and consumer protection.
As Acko scales further, with plans to expand internationally and introduce newer digital financial products, his influence on India’s fintech revolution will continue to grow. His ability to blend technology with financial security ensures that Acko remains at the forefront of innovation in the global insurance space.
Achievements
Founded Acko in 2016 – India’s first fully digital insurance company.
Raised over $450 million in funding – From Amazon, Accel, General Atlantic, and others.
Crossed 100 million policies sold – A testament to Acko’s widespread adoption.
Expanded Acko’s partnerships with top brands – including Amazon, Ola, Swiggy, and Zomato.
Pioneered usage-based and embedded insurance models – Making insurance more accessible and flexible.
Awards & Recognitions
Fortune India 40 Under 40 (2019) – Recognised as a leading disruptor in fintech and insurance.
ET Start-up of the Year Award (2021) – For Acko’s role in revolutionising digital insurance.
YourStory Tech30 Start-up Award – For leveraging AI and big data in insurance.
Forbes India Leadership Award (2022) – Honoured for driving financial innovation.
Media References
Seed to Scale – Varun Dua’s journey and leadership at Acko
Financial Express – Acko’s growth as India’s first digital insurance unicorn
StartupTalky – Acko’s disruptive approach in insurance
Fortune India – Varun Dua’s recognition as a fintech disruptor
Forbes India - Can Acko disrupt the complex sector?
Acko - Board of Directors
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