Onsurity’s goal is to empower 25,000 SMBs by 2027: Samar Kagalwalla

In conversation with Adgully, Samar Kagalwalla, Head - Marketing & Growth, Onsurity, shares insights into the company’s future plans, recent achievements, the evolving employee benefits landscape, and more.

Road ahead for Onsurity in 2025

2025 is a pivotal year for Onsurity as we scale our offerings to establish ourselves as the leading SMB insurtech. Our focus is on delivering comprehensive solutions – spanning employee healthcare, business insurance, and embedded products – that are tailored to SMBs’ evolving needs.

One key growth area is addressing the gig economy, which continues to expand rapidly. We’re designing specialized healthcare and insurance products for gig workers, interns, and part-time employees, enabling businesses to extend benefits to non-traditional workforces. This focus ensures we meet the needs of an evolving workforce and help businesses attract and retain top talent.

Cybersecurity will be a critical growth area. With SMBs increasingly digitizing operations, we aim to launch accessible and robust cyber risk products for both B2B and B2B2C markets. At the same time, we’re leveraging AI to manage scale – streamlining customer support and claims processes to ensure every interaction is seamless and efficient.

Internally, our goal is to build a highly productive team focused on empowering 25,000 SMBs by 2027. For us, growth isn’t just about numbers; it’s about creating meaningful impact for businesses that trust us to care for their people and operations. 2025 is all about scaling responsibly, innovating smartly, and delivering value where it matters most.

Headwinds and tailwinds in 2025

With India’s growth in smartphones and internet penetration that’s breaking down barriers, enabling Onsurity to reach Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where SMBs are increasingly embracing modern solutions. These regions, with their rapid digital adoption, represent a vast untapped market for innovative, tech-driven healthcare offerings like ours. Digital platforms make it possible for SMBs to access subscription-based plans, app-enabled services, and seamless claims processes – solutions once reserved for larger corporations.

However, this opportunity also comes with challenges. Many SMBs still lack awareness of the tangible benefits of healthcare programs, perceiving them as a cost rather than an investment. Overcoming this mindset requires significant education and outreach to demonstrate the ROI of employee wellness. Furthermore, while digital penetration has grown, smaller businesses may hesitate to adopt new technologies due to limited resources or fear of complexity.

By combining targeted awareness campaigns with simplified, tech-enabled solutions tailored to SMBs, Onsurity is bridging the gap between innovation and accessibility. As employees increasingly prioritize well-being, organizations are turning to healthcare benefits as a retention strategy. For us, the tailwind of rising digital adoption and workforce priorities outweighs the headwinds, setting the stage for transformative growth in 2025.

Onsurity’s performance in 2024

2024 has been a year of scaling impact for Onsurity. We crossed 8,000+ SMBs onboarded and surpassed the milestone of 1 million lives covered. Key achievements included:

The launch of Onsurity Interns, which provides healthcare benefits for gig workers, interns, and part-time employees, the first in the Indian market.
Partnerships with marquee organizations like Porter, DBS, Tally,, to redefine how healthcare is embedded in business strategies.
Innovations like Penny Drop Service that simplified claims processing, directly impacting customer satisfaction.
We also raised $45 million, validating the trust investors and customers place in us. But what excites me most is the tangible impact: an SMB in Nashik with 15 employees now offers healthcare benefits comparable to an MNC, proving that small businesses can care just as deeply for their teams.
2024 has been a year of transformation, not just for us but for the industry, and we are optimistic about what lies ahead.

Growth in the industry and Indian economy

India continued its upward trajectory as one of the fastest-growing economies globally in 2024. Key drivers like digitalization, increased access to formal credit, and an expanding gig economy helped sustain growth. However, inflationary pressures and a challenging global environment called for resilience and agility across sectors.

Health and wellness emerged as a critical focus, with businesses recognizing that productivity is deeply linked to employee well-being – a trend we were excited to be part of at Onsurity.

At Onsurity, the year 2024 saw employee benefits evolve from being a ‘nice-to-have’ to a ‘must-have’. SMBs, traditionally underserved in this space, began adopting comprehensive healthcare and wellness solutions, a trend we believe was catalyzed by rising awareness and economic uncertainty. Insurtech continued to reshape how companies perceive insurance, bringing innovation through subscription-based models, real-time data-driven underwriting, and customized benefits.

Key trends and developments in 2024

Technology: AI-led underwriting and claims processing saw significant adoption. For example, AI models cut claims processing times by 40% across the industry, enabling faster support for businesses.
Inclusion: A surge in gig worker and blue-collar employee coverage was noteworthy, driven by regulations and organizational empathy.
Mental Health: Over 60% of HR leaders we interacted with highlighted mental health as a top priority, with organizations now extending mental health benefits beyond traditional insurance.

Also Read: Onsurity & DBS Bank India partner to strengthen cybersecurity for SMEs