ITC London 2026: Janthana Kaenprakhamroy, CEO & Founder of Tapoly

What’s been the most defining moment of your career so far?

Building Tapoly from the ground up during a period of major market uncertainty — and proving that profitable growth and innovation can coexist — was the turning point. Securing two Innovate UK grants to develop our AI-driven underwriting and broking platform validated that belief and positioned us as a scalable technology business, not just an insurer.

What’s one misconception about the industry that you’d love to change?

That innovation and compliance are at odds. The truth is, responsible innovation depends on strong governance and risk control. When executed properly, technology doesn’t bypass regulation — it enhances transparency, auditability, and customer trust.

If you could collaborate with anyone - past or present - who would it be and why?

Alan Turing. His pioneering work laid the foundation for modern AI. Collaborating with him on how machine intelligence could advance ethical underwriting and fair pricing would be fascinating — and very relevant to the challenges insurers face today.

What advice would you give to someone looking to enter this field today?

Don’t just follow the hype. Learn how insurance actually works — the regulation, the economics, the customer psychology — and then apply innovation strategically. The next generation of InsurTech leaders will be those who can balance vision with viability.

What’s one lesson from outside of insurance that has shaped how you work?

My background in investment banking taught me the value of controls and precision. In fast-moving industries like InsurTech, that discipline is what keeps creativity grounded and scalable.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“Build resilience before you build scale.” It’s a reminder that systems, teams, and business models need to be robust long before they’re expanded — especially in a regulated, capital-intensive sector.

What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?

I began my career as an accountant and auditor — not exactly the typical startup founder profile. That analytical foundation, though, has been instrumental in bridging finance, risk, and technology to create Tapoly’s AI-powered insurance ecosystem.

Janthana Kaenprakhamroy is the CEO & Founder of Tapoly, an award-winning digital Managing General Agent (MGA) providing business insurance for SMEs and freelancers. Recognised by Forbes as one of the Top 6 Women Founders to Watch and named Innovator of the Year at the UK FinTech Awards 2023, she has also been honoured as Insurance Leader of the Year at the Women in Finance Awards 2021. Tapoly’s AI-driven platform supports brokers, underwriters, and insurers globally through smart underwriting, digital distribution, and automation technologies.

If this article gets you thinking, continue the conversation at ITC London 2027, taking place on 25–26 January at The Brewery, London. 

Interested in sharing your expertise on stage?