Sabine VanderLinden

Activate Innovation Ecosystems | Tech Ambassador | Founder of Alchemy Crew Ventures + Scouting for Growth | Chair, Board Member, Advisor | Honorary Senior Visiting Fellow-Bayes Business School

I don't just talk about innovation, AI, workforce or digital transformation— I build the bridges that make things real.

As Founder & Venture-Client Partner of Alchemy Crew Ventures, I run global R&D + Adoption Labs that connect Fortune 500 insurers and corporates with the most brilliant tech ventures on the planet. Think of us as the “fast lane” between startup brilliance and enterprise adoption. My themes include FinTech/ InsurTech and deploying AI at scale responsibly. 

What this looks like in numbers:
📍 Accelerated 160+ ventures and sourced 55,000+ startups worldwide
📍 Invested in 35+ early stage startups
📍 Delivered exits like FitSense → Zurich (2018), MyFutureNow → L&G (2019), and Tia Tech → Sapiens (2020)
📍 Created Insurer-led Acceleration and Scaleup programs that turned pilot purgatory into scalable commercial success

But the real story? I help founders land their first million-dollar client, build authentic personal brands, and help corporates cut through the noise to adopt tech that drives real growth.

My world revolves around:
📍 Venture Clienting 2.0 & Corporate Innovation Frameworks
📍 AI (ethics, adoption, emerging risks)
📍 Climate Resilience, Risk Futures & Sustainability Transformation
📍 The Future of Work (where humans + tech thrive together)

Beyond Alchemy Crew:
📍 Co-editor of the bestselling INSURTECH Book
📍 Wrote forewords for the Future of Insurance and Momentum
📍 Lecturer on Corporate Venturing at Bayes Business School
📍 Board + advisory roles across VCs, Scaleups (The CareVoice), foundations (Women to Watch), standards (ACORD Solutions) & global insurers
📍 Top 10 Business Podcast "Scouting for Growth" 
📍 Recognized with 10+ awards, including Most Influential CEO – Insurance Corporate Ventures (2024/2025)

My channels beyond LinkedIn:
x.com: @SabineVdL
instagram: @sabinevdlofficial
Medium: @sabine_vdl
Podcast: Scouting for Growth and Beyond Tech Frontiers
Newsletter: alchemycrew.ventures

What drives me?
Creating value where others see friction.
Turning hype into measurable outcomes.
And making sure technology becomes a force for good, not just another buzzword.

Award List (10+): Insurance Times-Tech & Innovation Awards Winner (2018), Grant Thornton-Face of a Vibrant Economy (2018), Business Insurance-Women to Watch Honoree (2019), Corporate Vision-Venture Validation Firm of the Year (2021), Finalist Women in Insurance Perseverance Award (2021), Awarded Perseverant Company to Watch in (2021), ACORD Awards (2020/2023), Most Influential CEO-Insurance Corporate Ventures (2024/2025).

Co-founder, Chief Executive Officer & Venture Partner

Delivering venture labs that accelerate, industrialize and democratize the way tech ventures engage with corporations. These labs apply acceleration, co-creation, and commercialization techniques to de-risk the way insurers and financial institutions collaborate, grow, and scale their venture-led growth initiatives.

Also, systematizing for a select group of growth ventures the way their engagement with corporations.

You can find out more 👉🏽 https://alchemycrew.com/

🌟 74% of enterprises are racing to deploy agentic AI.
Only 21% have the governance to handle it.  Where do you sit?💫

Some say this is part of a slow but controlled demolition.

Here's what's happening. Deloitte's latest State of AI in the Enterprise report confirms the stampede: three-quarters of companies plan to deploy agentic AI within two years. 

But the #governancegap is staggering. Half of all projects (as we know) are stuck in pilot purgatory. And Gartner now projects the AI governance market will hit $1 billion by 2030 because the cost of getting this wrong is existential.

What does this reveal? As shared with you before, we're entering the era of the Frontier Firm. Organisations that don't just adopt AI, but rewire their entire operating model around human-AI collaboration. 

Microsoft and McKinsey & Company agree: the bottleneck isn't the technology. It's leadership. 

Harvard Business Review calls it "AI angst": a predictable, industry-specific pattern of fear that stalls adoption from the inside out.

The opportunity... and challenge is this: the companies that govern first and scale second will define the next decade. The rest will become cautionary tales in someone else's case study.

Soooo, here are 5 things to act on now:

📍  Govern before you scale. A governance framework isn't bureaucracy. It is actually your licence to move fast.
📍  Address AI angst head-on. Your people aren't resistant to change. They're waiting for you to lead it.
📍  Bridge the pilot-to-production gap. Find partners who deliver governed, production-ready solutions 😊... not just demos.
📍  Industrialise your venture-client model. The best startups solve the problems you haven't staffed for yet.
📍  Measure velocity, not just speed. Controlled, strategic acceleration beats reckless momentum every time.

Think of it this way: everyone has a ticket for the AI rocket ship. But only a few have actually checked the engineering.

Which side of the governance gap is your organisation on? I'd love to hear what's working... and what's not. 

Let's debate below.

And today, I just decided to pick Deloitte Research to support my thesis.

Deloitte-State of AI

🌟 70% of AI pilots never scale. 💫

So why do we keep celebrating experiments instead of outcomes?

Today at 11AM ET/ 4PM GMT, I'm moderating a Reuters Events Insurance conversation that cuts through the noise with leaders who've actually moved GenAI from slide deck to underwriting floor.

🎙️ Win with GenAI: Transform SME & Mid-Market Underwriting for Speed, Accuracy, and Scal.

I'll be joined by an exceptional panel:

Caroline Thompson, Chief Underwriting Officer, AtBay 
Frank Neugebauer, VP of Generative AI, Cincinnati Insurance 
Alex Bibic, Head of Products (Technology), CFC 
Nicole Ricci, Head of Commercial Gen AI Underwriting Assistant, Verisk

We won't talk about what AI could do. We intend to unpack what it's already doing across data governance, human-agent teaming, and ecosystem design at scale.

Because boardrooms don't buy pilots. They buy scaled outcomes.

The real question isn't "Do we have an AI strategy?" -> it's "Where are our results?"

If you lead underwriting, transformation, or technology in insurance, this one's built for you.

🔗 https://lnkd.in/eMuNP3G5
Today, Feb 26 | 11–12PM ET/ 4-5PM GMT

#GenAI #Underwriting #AITransformation #ReutersEvents

Reuters events. Today's webinar

Win with GenAI: Transform SME & Mid-Market Underwriting for Speed, Accuracy and Scale

I look forward to meeting insurance executives, transformation leaders, and tech innovators in Istanbul for the Silk Road Insurance Forum at the end of March 2026. 

We will unpack what innovation looks like for the Silk Road Insurance countries, dive into SAS's four insurance futures, and discuss the Agentic Frontier Transformation Playbook.

Across insurance markets, the challenge is no longer whether to adopt AI — but how to operationalize it at scale.

Sabine VanderLinden will share how AI-enabled transformation actually works in practice across insurance organizations.

Request an invitation via our website:  https://lnkd.in/d5eJb_Ma

#SilkRoadInsuranceForum #InsuranceLeadership #TechBridge #FutureOfInsurance #BuildingBridges

🌟 The countdown to 2027 has begun, yet most insurance leaders are still looking in the rearview mirror. 💫

Check out the compelling post from Karl Grandl about the EUDI Wallet (the European Digital Identity directive), and it struck me how few in our industry have this on their strategic roadmap. 

We often talk about the current transformation as a distant goal, but with EU Regulation 2024/1183 (eIDAS 2.0) already in force since May 2024, that specific "future" is arriving faster than many realize.

We have seen the number: Less than 20-30% of digital transformations succeed, often because they lack a standardized, secure foundation. 

The EUDI Wallet is the state-verified digital identity that will finally bridge the gap between corporate legacy and startup agility.

By the end of 2026, every EU member state must provide this wallet. 

By 2027, it will become mandatory for industries requiring strong customer authentication, and insurers are right at the top of that list. For those building the future of our industry, this is transformational. 

Imagine a world where we can:

📍 Simplify: Onboard customers in minutes, not days, with instantly verified identity and driver’s licenses.

📍 Standardise: Issue policies instantaneously as customers authenticate via EUDI.

📍 Share: Handle claims without media discontinuity, no paper, no friction, just verified digital documents. (This is what Miss Moneypenny Technologies does by the way)

However, the real risk isn't the technology. 

Today, we have to admit... It's the wait. Those who prepare their customer journeys now will gain a significant strategic advantage. Those who wait will be forced to follow suit under immense time pressure, risking the very failure rates we strive to avoid.

Karl is doing incredible work at the Bitkom Working Group "Digital Insurance & Insurtech" to map out these implications. 👇🏽

#DigitalIdentity #EUDIWallet #eIDAS2

EUDI Wallet - die Europäische Digitale Identität kommt

Ende 2026 muss jeder EU-Mitgliedsstaat eine EUDI Wallet bereitstellen. 

Ab 2027 wird sie für Branchen mit starker Kundenauthentifizierung verpflichtend — und Versicherer stehen ganz oben auf der Liste.

Die meisten haben das noch nicht auf dem Schirm.
Die EUDI Wallet ist nicht einfach eine weitere App. Sie ist die staatlich verifizierte digitale Identität — für jeden EU-Bürger, auf dem Smartphone.
Was das für Versicherer konkret bedeutet:

→ Kunden-Onboarding in Minuten statt Tagen. Identität, Wohnsitz, Führerschein — alles verifiziert, alles im Wallet. 
→ Policen-Ausstellung wird instant. 
Kfz-Versicherung? Kunde authentifiziert sich per EUDI, teilt Führerschein und Fahrzeugdaten. Fertig. 
→ Schadenmeldung ohne Medienbruch. 
Verifizierte Identität + digitale Dokumente = kein Papier, kein Call Center.

Die EU-Verordnung 2024/1183 (eIDAS 2.0) ist seit Mai 2024 in Kraft. Die Implementing Acts sind seit Dezember 2024 veröffentlicht. 

Der Countdown läuft.

Wer jetzt anfängt, seine Customer Journeys darauf vorzubereiten, hat einen strategischen Vorsprung. 
Wer wartet, wird unter Zeitdruck nachziehen.
Ich beschäftige mich als Vorstand im Bitkom AK "Digital Insurance & Insurtech" intensiv mit EUDI und den Implikationen für unsere Branche. 
Was ich sehe: Die wenigsten Versicherer haben das Thema auf ihrer Roadmap — dabei wird es das Kundengeschäft der nächsten Dekade prägen.
Wenn ihr tiefer einsteigen wollt — was EUDI konkret für euer Geschäftsmodell bedeutet, welche Use Cases jetzt schon realistisch sind und wo die regulatorischen Fallstricke liegen: 
Schreibt mir eine Nachricht oder kommentiert einfach kurz. 
Ich teile gerne, was wir im Bitkom dazu erarbeiten.

#DigitalInsurance #EUDI

A seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the car rental and tech sector. Throughout my career, I have gained extensive expertise and knowledge that I am excited to bring to the table.

My passion lies in optimizing business performance by leveraging existing tools and driving ancillary revenues to unprecedented heights. I firmly believe that by utilizing the right technology and strategies, any business can achieve remarkable success.

With a proven track record in sales and new business development, I have excelled in various areas, including partner channel management, e-commerce, and B2B segment development. My leadership skills have consistently propelled revenue growth into the multimillion-euro range, while my visionary sales strategies have set new industry standards.

In addition to my experience in the car rental industry, I am also deeply interested in the future of mobility. I firmly believe that technology is the key to unlocking new possibilities in this sector. By staying up-to-date with the latest advancements and trends, I strive to add value to any organization I work with.

If you are seeking a business expert who can revolutionize your operations and drive your company to new heights, look no further. Let's connect and explore how I can contribute to your success. Together, we can harness the power of technology to shape the future of the mobility sector.

Thank you for visiting my profile, and I look forward to connecting with you soon!

Arturs Zantmans

🚨 Customer Experience Alert – Revolut 🚨

Revolut  spends millions on marketing and product innovation but somehow forgets about one basic thing: clear communication with customers. 🆘

First, they encouraged me to activate the crypto wallet and despite having every KYC/AML check done long ago, my funds were instantly blocked. After days of “standard procedure” replies, I finally got the money back. Never used that feature again.

⏭️Fast-forward to yesterday: discovered their inbound payment link option. Looks sleek, sounds efficient… until the incoming funds are held for 7 days. No upfront notice, no mention in the terms and conditions, no warning before the transaction❗️❗️❗️

And the best part? Customer support told me to “stay calm and wait. This might be frustrating but this is a standard procedure.”

Sorry, but that’s not customer service — that’s complacency. I give partners and other service providers 5⭐️ when they deliver, but today’s experience deserves a strong 👎 for transparency and respect for clients’ time.

Companies, remember: real trust isn’t built on ads — it’s built on honesty and clarity❗️❗️❗️

Arturs  Zantmans

🚘 𝘋𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 🤝 𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 ⭐️ 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘮𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘳 🚀 𝘍𝘶𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘛𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺

As promised, after throwing shade at another partner on Friday, time to balance my karma! 😉

Big positive shoutout to low-cost star AJet , ignoring the Trustpilot  and RatingFacts  complaints, my 3rd flight with them ( this time to ITB Berlin via Istanbul) was awesome ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cheapest deal + shortest layover had me stressing (delays = lost luggage nightmare?), but they sorted me: extra overhead space for next to nothing, exit row with tons of legroom (business class feel, tiny fee) 😉. Planes super fresh and clean, free water and Turkish tea, crew was chill and friendly. No delays at all going out, and on the crazy packed return (Dubai rescue flights everywhere), they switched me to priority and found overhead room when I mentioned the tight connection. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Low-cost doesn't mean low service❗️❗️❗️highly recommend as a travel industry fan! ✈️😎

No alternative text description for this image

The 3 musketeers… now with better coffee, sharper suits, and stronger Wi-Fi at ITB Berlin 🇩🇪❤️‍🔥

One of the biggest mistakes I see from car rental founders and operators lately is the jump from chaos straight to AI. 🤯 

Many businesses try to move from Excel sheets and manual work directly into “fully automated AI processes.”

But very often the basics are missing.

In many aggregator-driven rentals, operators don’t even receive the customer contact details until the client arrives. So what exactly are you automating⁉️ 

Before thinking about AI, map the Customer Journey and make sure your data actually lives inside your Rental Management System.

⛔No structured data → no automation.
⛔No process clarity → no AI.

Start with baby steps. Build hybrid processes. Centralize your data first.
Only then does automation start making sense.

If you’re exploring this transition, sometimes an external brain is useful to challenge assumptions. Happy to brainstorm ideas with fellow operators in the industry, contact Adrian Treacy Lutz Fennekohl Einar Hallsson or myself Arturs Zantmans from CARS AND MORE EXPERT TEAM

Today we celebrate the women who inspire us every day — our partners, colleagues, mothers, sisters, and daughters. 💐

Your strength, intelligence, and determination make our businesses stronger and our world better. ♥️

🌸 Happy 8th of March. With admiration and appreciation.

Strategizing, smiling, and surviving ITB Berlin  — the modern musketeers of car rental and mobility.

Happy Birthday Michael J. Trenkwalder 🎉

A true German professional:
precise, organized, and capable of saying “No” with such a polite smile that people almost say thank you afterwards 🤭

Wishing you another year of perfect timing, well-structured deals, and just the right amount of German pedantic brilliance to keep the rest of us in line. 🚗

Who will turn off the lights at RIX Riga Airport ? ✈️

👉 Wizz Air has already left Riga.
No drama — just business. 
No growth → they moved to Go Vilnius  

👉 Ryanair - Europe's Favourite Airline is cutting routes from Riga and doubling down on Lithuania.

Why?

Lower airport costs. More predictable rules. Simple.

👉 Meanwhile, airBaltic:
	•	operating at heavy losses
	•	repeatedly supported by taxpayers
	•	already received hundreds of millions during COVID
	•	and now… asking for another €150 million 🆘

Let’s call things by their name:
This is no longer support — this is dependency.

And here is the uncomfortable question:

👉 Is it fair that people who may never even fly with airBaltic are paying for its losses?

Now let’s zoom out.

Car rental in Latvia is already struggling.
Fewer flights = fewer tourists = fewer bookings.

And these airline decisions⁉️
They will only make things worse.

👉 So the real question to the government and Mr President - Edgars Rinkevics is simple:

How much more needs to be done to completely kill travel in this country?

Evika Silina will soon be back asking parliament to approve another bailout.

Maybe this time we should actually ask:
Where is the strategy❓❓❓

Boys and girls lets join the Rent a Car one and only Social Media so we can be even closer to each other! 😁

Open article: Rental Nexus - The Online Home of the Rental Industry by rental-nexus.com

Rental Nexus - The Online Home of the Rental Industry

taplio

The Battle

Sabine VanderLinden

Arturs Zantmans

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreSabine VanderLinden's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreArturs Zantmans's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Sabine VanderLinden

Arturs Zantmans

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Sabine VanderLinden's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreArturs Zantmans's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreSabine VanderLinden's LinkedIn Performance