- ERGO Group AG gains access to the U.S. market with the full acquisition of NEXT Insurance
- ERGO enters the world’s largest insurance market, tapping the attractive U.S. small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) segment
- NEXT Insurance will complement ERGO’s business capabilities through its proprietary technology stack and its fully digital underwriting platform
- ERGO will support NEXT Insurance’s business growth by leveraging its technical excellence and insurance know-how
Munich Re and NEXT Insurance have signed a definitive agreement regarding the full acquisition of NEXT Insurance by Munich Re on 19 March 2025. The envisaged transaction will have NEXT Insurance become part of ERGO Group, the major primary insurance company of Munich Re.
“This transaction marks the start of a new chapter for ERGO. Together with NEXT Insurance, we will tap into a highly attractive market overseas, unlocking significant growth opportunities while further diversifying our existing business portfolio. At the same time, we will work with NEXT Insurance to leverage their cutting-edge technology and our technical excellence, contributing to our commitment to sustainable, profitable growth,” says Markus Rieß, Chief Executive Officer of ERGO Group.
“Today marks a significant moment for NEXT Insurance, our customers, agents, and partners alike. Over the past few years, we have transformed the U.S. small business insurance market by delivering a simple, seamless, tailored experience for business owners. This transaction will propel us forward, allowing us to scale our technology driven approach and empower even more small business owners with innovative insurance solutions. With the strength and expertise of ERGO and Munich Re and their well-recognized re/insurance know-how, we are poised to lead the charge in reimagining small business insurance in the USA,” comments Guy Goldstein, Chief Executive Officer of NEXT Insurance.
More than 30 million small businesses across more than 1,000 professions operate in the USA, making up 99 percent of all national companies and 44 percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, the insurance penetration among this type of companies remains relatively low as 75 percent of U.S. small businesses are considered under insured. The total addressable market is highly fragmented and estimated at around $175 billion, offering significant growth potential.
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Palo Alto, California, NEXT Insurance is a leading technology-first Property & Casualty insurer focusing on the specific needs of U.S. small business owners. Through its proprietary technology stack and its digital underwriting/pricing platform, the company offers simple and digital insurance coverage, including General Liability and Worker’s Compensation. Since its creation, NEXT Insurance has witnessed significant growth and generated a top line of $548 million in 2024. Today, the company serves more than 600,000 customers and counts around 700 employees.
ERGO Group and Munich Re have been closely accompanying NEXT Insurance since 2017. As of today, ERGO Group AG is a major shareholder of NEXT Insurance, holding around 29% of the company’s outstanding share capital. As part of ERGO Group, NEXT Insurance is expected to contribute mid-triple-digit $ million earnings to the company’s net result in the medium-term, with further significant earnings potential beyond this.
The definitive agreement was concluded at a purchase price of $2.6 billion, for 100 percent of NEXT Insurance’s shares. Ardea Partners LP acted as lead financial advisor to NEXT. Goldman, Sachs & Co. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC also acted as financial advisors to NEXT. Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Barnea Jaffa Lande, Bain & Company, and Morgan Stanley acted as advisors to ERGO / Munich Re. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including the required regulatory approvals, and is expected in the third quarter of 2025.
Eitan Bek, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at TLV Partners said, “Guy, Nissim, and Alon took on one of the most traditional industries and built a category-defining company from the ground up. Investing in them for the second time was an easy decision, following my first journey with them when they built Check, which was acquired by Intuit. Next Insurance’s $2.6B acquisition by Munich RE is a testament to their vision and execution, and we’re proud to have been part of the journey from day one”.
