Bestow

Bestow Inc. is an insurance technology company that sells a cloud-native, end-to-end software platform purpose-built for life insurance and annuity carriers. The platform spans the policy lifecycle from quoting and illustrations through application, e-signature, identity verification, checkout and payment, underwriting decisioning, policy administration and analytics. Bestow markets it as an alternative to assembling multiple point solutions or building in-house systems, offering carriers a single system of record across sales, servicing and data.

Product modules include an Application Suite (digital and hybrid application journeys, quoting, dynamic real-time illustrations, e-signature, ID authorization, notifications, and digital sign-and-pay via ACH or credit card), agent tools with a unified dashboard for case status and next actions, a configurable underwriting engine supporting straight-through processing, referral to underwriting and full human underwriting, an administration layer with a policyholder self-service portal and third-party administration services, and an intelligence layer including Performance IQ analytics and a recommendation engine that scores applicants on approval and purchase likelihood, including third-party off-ramping. Experiences can be white-labeled to the carrier's brand with single sign-on and brand-themed templates.

Bestow states it supports carriers across captive agent, independent agent (IMO, BGA, direct marketer), agent-led and drop-ticket, partnership and cross-sell, and branded direct-to-consumer distribution models. The company has said it plans to expand from term products into additional permanent products including indexed universal life, with annuities slated for 2026. Bestow Inc. operates alongside Bestow Agency LLC, a licensed producer and third-party administrator that operates in California as Bestow Insurance Administration Services LLC.

Founding story

Bestow was co-founded by Melbourne O'Banion, who serves as CEO, and Jonathan Abelmann, who serves as President. O'Banion is also a co-founder of BeautyBio and a founding member of Presidio Title; Abelmann previously co-founded Invitation Homes (NYSE: INVH) in partnership with Blackstone and was a private equity investor at Starwood Capital.

Business model

Bestow licenses a SaaS platform to insurance carriers, selling through an enterprise sales motion with product demos and long-term carrier partnerships; affiliated entity Bestow Agency LLC is a licensed producer and third-party administrator, and the company also provides TPA services alongside the software.

Revenue comes from carriers using its platform for distribution, underwriting and policy administration; the company reported tripling revenue in 2024 and 10x growth over two years, with profitability described as approaching.

Traction

As of May 2025 the company reported tripling revenue in 2024, 10x growth over two years, a 100% customer retention rate and a 245% year-over-year increase in transaction volume, with profitability described as on the horizon. Named carrier partners include Nationwide, Transamerica, USAA and Sammons Financial Group, with additional partners said to be forthcoming.

Latest developments

In May 2025 Bestow closed a $120 million oversubscribed Series D co-led by Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives and Smith Point Capital, along with a $50 million TriplePoint Capital credit facility, with Goldman Sachs Managing Director Ashwin Gupta joining the board. The company said proceeds would fund R&D, new products including indexed universal life and annuities (2026), and expanded carrier onboarding capacity. It also announced Bestow Labs, a team focused on AI-native products, appointed Meagan Ward as Chief Marketing Officer, and was named to the FTR Top 25 InsurTech Companies list in June 2025.