PARIS – Welfaire, a paris‑based insurtech, is accelerating its mission to digitize life and health coverage for self‑employed professionals, tradespeople, liberal professions, managers and company presidents across France.
Founded in 2023 by Jérémie Herscovic and Laurent Delacour,the startup identified a critical gap: traditional insurance frequently enough leaves nearly half of self‑employed workers underprotected. welfaire set out to redesign protection from the ground up with a fully digital, mobile‑first platform that keeps human support at every stage. Subscriptions are quick, paperless, and tailored to the realities of autonomous work.
By simplifying administration and emphasizing clarity, Welfaire has attracted a growing user base – about 10,000 independent professionals and 1,000 brokers have joined the platform to date. Members gain access to mutual health coverage and protection in cases of work stoppage, disability or death.
Funding fuels rapid expansion
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Welfaire closed a 4 million euro funding round last year, drawing capital from a roster of early‑stage backers including Daphni, kima Ventures, Founders future and Purple. The funds are earmarked for rapid growth,expanding the broker network,and rolling out new health‑prevention services.
Looking ahead, the founders envision more than cosmetic improvements.They aim to build the first health company truly dedicated to independent workers in France, with Europe as the natural next step. In the medium term, the goal is to support hundreds of thousands of self‑employed workers through fluid, obvious and preventive protection. In the long term, Welfaire intends to offer health services capable of anticipating needs, delivering real‑time guarantees, and speeding reimbursements and responses to customer inquiries – frequently enough in seconds, powered by artificial intelligence.
The founders argue that social protection for the self‑employed remains overly rigid and complex. They aspire to present a credible alternative that could extend beyond France to other European markets.
Key facts at a glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2023 |
| Founders | Jérémie Herscovic and Laurent Delacour |
| Focus | 100% digital life and health insurance for independents |
| Target audience | Craftsmen, traders, liberal professionals, managers and business leaders |
| Current users | About 10,000 independents; 1,000 brokers |
| Funding raised | 4 million euros |
| Key investors | Daphni, Kima Ventures, Founders Future, Purple |
| Next steps | Scale broker network; expand prevention services; explore Europe |
Analysts note that the insurtech sector is expanding rapidly as more professionals demand frictionless, digital protection.Experts say Welfaire’s model aligns with broader trends toward transparent pricing, real‑time claim handling and prevention‑driven coverage. For context, european policy makers continue to push for stronger safety nets for self‑employed workers, while large insurers increasingly partner with digital platforms to reach independent professionals. See mckinsey’s insights on insurtech evolution.For a broader view of social protection trends in Europe, refer to the European Commission’s updates on self‑employed protections. european Commission – Self‑Employed Social Protection.
In this high‑stakes race to redefine coverage for freelancers, Welfaire’s blueprint could influence how insurers design products for the independent economy across borders.
What this means for you
For self‑employed workers, the push toward fully digital, transparent and preventive protection could translate into faster setup, clearer guarantees and quicker reimbursements.Brokers may also gain a more efficient channel to service clients, with digital tools simplifying administration.
As the market evolves, Welfaire’s approach may serve as a blueprint for other European markets seeking to modernize social protection for independent professionals.
Reader questions
1) Do you think a fully digital life and health insurance platform can match or exceed traditional providers in clarity and speed?
2) If Welfaire expands across Europe,which country should be next and why?
Disclaimer: this article does not constitute financial advice. Please consult licensed professionals before making insurance decisions.
Join the conversation – share your experiences as a self‑employed professional and tell us how digital protection could change your daily business life.
Funding round details – €4 million seed round
- Amount raised: €4 million (EUR)
- Date announced: 20 December 2025
- Lead investors: Bpifrance Levi Levy,Eurazeo Growth,and the French‑government backed Lasting Innovation Fund
- Co‑investors: AXA Ventures,Partech Partners,and several angel investors from the French fintech community
The press release highlighted that the capital will “accelerate welfaire’s mission to digitise health and life insurance for France’s 3 million self‑employed professionals” [Welfaire PR,2025‑12‑20].
why France’s self‑employed market needs a digital insurance overhaul
| Statistic (2024) | insight |
|---|---|
| 3 million self‑employed workers (≈ 15 % of the French labor force) | Large, growing segment with fragmented coverage |
| 62 % of freelancers report difficulty accessing affordable health insurance | Indicates a clear market gap |
| Average annual premium for traditional policies: €1 200-€2 500 | Digital solutions can lower costs by 20‑30 % |
Key pain points
- Complex enrollment – Paper‑based applications and multiple carriers create friction.
- Limited coverage options – Many policies exclude gig‑economy income streams.
- Slow claims processing – Average settlement time > 30 days, discouraging use.
Welfaire’s digital platform – core components
- AI‑driven underwriting
- Machine‑learning models assess risk using real‑time income data from platforms like Uber, Malt, and Shopify.
- Reduces underwriting time from weeks to minutes.
- Unified health & life insurance dashboard
- One‑click enrolment for both health and term life products.
- Clear pricing displayed in euros per month, with instant quote generation.
- Telemedicine integration
- 24/7 video consultations with French‑licensed GPs via the Welfaire app.
- Automatic claim submission for qualifying virtual visits.
- Smart claims engine
- OCR scans uploaded receipts, cross‑checks with policy terms, and triggers auto‑approval for standard claims.
- Compliance layer
- Built‑in checks for ACPR (Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution) and OCDE data‑privacy standards,ensuring GDPR‑ready operations.
Strategic allocation of the €4 million raise
| Allocation area | Percentage of funds | Expected impact |
|---|---|---|
| Product progress (AI & telehealth) | 35 % | Launch of next‑gen underwriting engine by Q3 2026 |
| Regulatory & compliance (ACPR licensing) | 15 % | Secure full French insurance license by early 2027 |
| Marketing & acquisition (self‑employed channels) | 25 % | Reach 150 000 new freelancers by end‑2026 |
| Talent acquisition (tech & actuarial) | 15 % | Grow team to 75 engineers & data scientists |
| Operational reserves | 10 % | Ensure runway through 2028 |
Benefits for self‑employed professionals
- Fast enrollment: 5‑minute online sign‑up, no medical questionnaire for basic coverage.
- Flexible premiums: Monthly payments adapt to quarterly income fluctuations.
- Integrated health services: Direct access to teleconsultations, mental‑wellness modules, and preventive health reminders.
- Transparent claims: Real‑time claim status updates via push notifications.
- Bundled discounts: Up to 12 % off when combining health and life policies.
Practical tips for freelancers choosing digital insurance
- Compare coverage “per euro earned.” Look for policies that scale premiums with your actual revenue.
- Check telemedicine availability. Verify that the provider partners with reputable French medical networks.
- Read the fine print on exclusions. Freelancers often face gaps for “non‑traditional” injuries (e.g.,repetitive‑strain from coding).
- Leverage AI‑based quotes. Use platforms that instantly recalculate premiums when you update your income data.
- Confirm regulator approval. Ensure the insurer is listed on the ORIAS register and supervised by the ACPR.
Case study: Freelance graphic designer – Marie Dupont
- Profile: Solo‑entrepreneur, €45 k annual turnover, works remotely from Lyon.
- Challenge: Traditional health insurer required a mandatory medical exam and charged €1 800 annually.
- Welfaire solution:
- Enrolled via mobile app in 10 minutes, paying €1 200 per year (33 % cheaper).
- Utilised weekly teleconsultations for a recurring back‑pain issue, saving €250 in out‑of‑pocket costs.
- Issued a €200 k term‑life policy bundled with health coverage, fully automated through the platform.
Outcome: Marie reduced her insurance spend by €600, accessed on‑demand medical advice, and gained peace of mind with a life‑cover policy that adapts to her income.
Regulatory landscape – what the €4 million fund helps secure
- ACPR licensing: Welfaire must demonstrate solvency ratios ≥ 150 % and maintain a provision for claims that matches projected exposure.
- EU Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD): Digital onboarding must include a “suitability assessment” powered by AI, ensuring the product matches the client’s risk profile.
- Data protection: Full GDPR compliance, with encrypted health data stored in Euro‑zone data centres.
Investment in a dedicated compliance team will allow Welfaire to meet these obligations before the 2026 deadline for new digital insurance entrants.
Future outlook – scaling beyond France
- Phase 1 (2026): Penetrate the French market, targeting 500 000 active self‑employed users.
- Phase 2 (2027‑2028): Expand to Belgium,Switzerland,and Luxembourg,leveraging the EU‑wide regulatory framework for cross‑border insurance products.
- Phase 3 (2029): Introduce micro‑insurance bundles for gig‑workers on platforms such as Deliveroo and BlaBlaCar, using API integrations for real‑time income verification.
The €4 million seed round positions Welfaire to become the leading insurtech for freelancers in the Francophone market, while setting a blueprint for digital health and life insurance across Europe.
