Tim Hardcastle - Instanda - Insurtech Insights Europe 2023

Why It Matters

No‑code platforms like Instanda empower insurers to innovate rapidly without jeopardizing brand safety, unlocking new revenue streams and reshaping the competitive landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Instanda offers world’s first no‑code core platform for insurers.
• No‑code tools accelerate product launches and reduce operational costs.
• CIOs struggle balancing day‑to‑day ops with innovation initiatives.
• Safe sandbox environments enable large carriers to test without brand risk.
• Upcoming digital insurer attributes framework will guide industry transformation.

Summary

Tim Hardcastle, CEO and co‑founder of Instanda, opened the Insurtech Insights Europe 2023 session by positioning his firm’s no‑code digital core as the world’s first platform that lets insurers build and launch products without traditional coding. He framed the solution as a democratized technology that delivers speed, agility, and cost efficiencies, addressing the sector’s demand for rapid innovation.

Hardcastle highlighted the chronic tension between innovation teams and IT departments, noting from his former CIO experience that legacy IT struggles to allocate resources for experimental projects while maintaining day‑to‑day operations. Instanda’s sandbox environment, he argued, offers a low‑risk space for large carriers to prototype new offerings, preserving brand integrity while enabling scalable rollout once concepts prove viable. Partnerships with consulting giants such as EY, Deloitte, and PwC further help insurers navigate this safe‑to‑scale pathway.

A memorable anecdote about test‑driving a Porsche underscored his personal commitment to speed and performance, while a direct quote—“unless companies innovate they are not going to increase revenue”—summarized the urgency. He also announced that Instanda will publish a set of “digital insurer attributes” later this year, providing a concrete roadmap for insurers aspiring to become best‑in‑class digital players.

The discussion signals a broader industry shift toward no‑code platforms that lower technical barriers, accelerate time‑to‑market, and mitigate risk. Insurers that adopt these tools can expect faster product cycles, reduced operational spend, and stronger competitive positioning in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Original Description

Over at Insurtech Insights Europe 2023, we sat down for a conversation with Tim Hardcastle the CEO of Instanda. Instanda is a platform that enables carriers and MGAs to create, build and implement complex insurance products in a matter of weeks or months.

“Instanda is a digital core platform for the insurance industry. We’re the world’s first no-code platform which means we can give a lot of speed and agility to companies that are working with us.”

“We formed Instanda to provide a technology, and we call it democratised technology because it puts it in the hands of the companies. They’re wanting to innovate, get new products out and reduce their costs. You can’t do that with old traditional technology. You have to give technology that people can really use and that’s why we designed outs to be no code.”