ITC Europe 2026 Challenge Lab Returns with Generali: Open Call for Startups to Tackle the Defining Liability Risk of the AI Era

ITC Europe today announced the return of the Challenge Lab, the  competition platform connecting pioneering startups with insurance industry leaders to  tackle the sector’s most pressing challenges. Following its successful inaugural edition  at ITC London earlier this year, Generali returns as industry partner for the ITC Europe  edition, setting the challenge: “AI Liability: Insuring Intelligence at Scale.” 

The Challenge Lab invites startups and scaleups with products and solutions for the  European and global market to submit solutions that help the insurance industry  systematically identify, monitor, govern, and manage AI-driven risks. Applications open  24th April, with the top three finalists selected to pitch live on the main stage at ITC  Europe 2026, taking place at La Llotja de Mar in Barcelona on the 28-29 May 2026. The  winner will be crowned on stage on the 28 of May. 

“The Challenge Lab made an immediate impact at ITC London, and we’re thrilled to  bring it to Barcelona with an even greater sense of urgency around the theme,” Lee Cibis,  Head of Content for ITC London and ITC Europe. “AI liability is one of the most complex  and consequential risks our industry faces right now. Partnering again with Generali,  whose commitment to bold innovation is unmatched, gives us enormous confidence  that this edition will surface genuinely transformative solutions.” 

The Challenge: AI Liability – Insuring Intelligence at Scale 

As artificial intelligence becomes embedded across decision-making, pricing,  operations, customer engagement, and automation, accountability is shifting from  human actors to algorithmic systems. This transition introduces a new class of liability  risks that are complex, opaque, and difficult to quantify. Generali is calling on startups  and scaleups to develop solutions that enable organisations to operationalise trust,  ensure compliance, and mitigate exposure as AI systems scale. 

Applicants should aim to: 

• Pinpoint where AI liability is actively emerging across industries and use cases • Surface and evaluate practical, deployable solutions from frontier innovators 
• Anticipate and address the regulatory, legal, and operational implications of AI  adoption before they materialise 

“Building on the momentum from ITC London, we’re excited to deepen our partnership  with the Challenge Lab at ITC Europe,” said Danilo Raponi, Group Head of Innovation for  Assicurazioni Generali SpA. “The question of AI liability is arriving faster than our  industry’s frameworks can keep pace with. We want to find the startups already solving  this and help them do it at scale.”

What’s at Stake 

The winning startup will receive a trophy on stage, industry recognition and PR coverage,  and a free speaking slot at ITC Europe 2027 offering unmatched visibility and the  opportunity to showcase their solution to a global audience of insurance leaders and  investors. 

Timeline 

• 24 April – Applications Open 
• 5 May – Applications Close 
• 11 May – Finalists Announced 
• 28 May – Finalists Pitch Live on Stage at ITC Europe 
• 28 May – Winner Announced 

Application Details 

Startups interested in participating can apply here. The selection process conducted  jointly by the ITC team and Generali will evaluate submissions based on innovation,  scalability, real-world deployability, and alignment with the AI liability challenge. 

Selected finalists will present their solutions on the main stage at ITC Europe 2026,  gaining direct exposure to senior industry leaders, potential partners, and investors at  the forefront of insurance innovation. 

For more information about the Challenge Lab and application requirements, visit our  website.