PropTech and Environmental Consciousness
On World Conservation Day, we spoke with Joan Lamm-Tennant, a business leader and founder of Blue Marble Microinsurance, Inc., as well as an advisor to ventures at Tenney 110. During our conversation, we delved into Joan’s impactful work in PropTech, where she is driving transformative change by prioritizing environmental considerations in the insurance industry.
Tenney 110: Joan, we are excited to hear about your work in PropTech and your commitment to environmental consciousness. Can you share with us what you’re currently working on that you believe is moving the needle in the ESG space when it comes to insurance and PropTech?
Joan Lamm-Tennant: Thank you! I’ve always been deeply rooted in stakeholder capitalism, believing that businesses must serve the needs of all stakeholders, including employees, customers, and society. Environmental consciousness plays a significant role in this philosophy. One of my ventures, Blue Marble Microinsurance, has been instrumental in providing protection to smallholder farmers worldwide. By offering parametric insurance based on environmental factors, such as rainfall, we empower farmers to make better decisions for their families and communities, fostering economic progression in developing regions.
Recently, I’ve been involved with Tenney 110 ventures, particularly with Entrepreneur in Residence, Shannon Bloemker, who is leading Energy Raven. This venture aims to create transparency in the home buying process, specifically regarding environmental exposure. By equipping home inspectors with crucial data, we enable homeowners to make informed decisions about their properties, safeguarding their investments and well-being.
Tenney 110 : Can you tell us more about how you’re aligning incentives among various stakeholders in the insurance and PropTech industries to promote environmental consciousness?
Joan Lamm-Tennant: Aligning incentives is indeed a critical aspect of driving environmental progress. With ventures like Energy Raven and others, we are deconstructing value chains to encourage eco-friendly choices for homeowners. For instance, by involving key players such as inspectors, we can collectively prioritize environmental consciousness in the home buying process. This not only benefits homeowners but also fosters a more sustainable approach to property ownership and insurance practices.
Tenney 110: It’s evident that your work is driving transformative change in the industry. Can you share a success story or specific anecdotes that demonstrate the positive outcomes of your environmental initiatives?
Joan Lamm-Tennant: Certainly! With Blue Marble Microinsurance, we saw firsthand how providing safety nets for farmers led to better decisions that positively impacted their families and communities. When farmers had protection against extreme weather conditions, they didn’t resort to desperate measures like pulling their children out of school to work on commercial farms. Instead, they had financial security for food and other essentials, empowering them to prioritize their family’s well-being and education.
Tenney 110 : As we celebrate World Conservation Day, what message do you have for the industry leaders and the general public about the importance of integrating environmental considerations in the insurance and PropTech sectors?
Joan Lamm-Tennant: My message to industry leaders and the public is simple but powerful — our actions today shape the world of tomorrow. By prioritizing environmental consciousness in our business practices and individual decisions, we can create a sustainable future that benefits everyone. Insurance and PropTech sectors have a unique opportunity to drive positive change by promoting transparency and offering solutions that protect both homeowners and the environment.
