Inclined, a fintech innovator transforming how whole life insurance policyholders access their wealth, has raised $8 million in Series B funding. The round was led by HSCM Ventures with participation from Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures and other strategic investors. This capital will accelerate Inclined’s mission of turning the often-overlooked value of whole life insurance into a flexible, accessible financial asset.

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Making Whole Life Insurance Work Harder for Policyholders

Whole life insurance is often viewed purely as a protective measure for beneficiaries, but it holds an underutilized component: cash value. Inclined’s platform allows policyholders to tap into that cash value through an Inclined Line of Credit (iLOC) - giving them access to funds for life’s major needs without surrendering or disrupting the policy.

The platform simplifies a process that has traditionally been slow and paper-heavy, replacing it with a streamlined, digital-first experience. This approach not only gives policyholders faster access to liquidity but also helps financial advisors deliver more flexible, wealth-maximizing solutions to their clients.

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Why This Funding Matters Now

The demand for liquidity solutions is surging as consumers seek ways to unlock the value of their existing assets without sacrificing long-term stability. According to the American Council of Life Insurers, the U.S. has more than $3.8 trillion in whole life insurance policies in force, representing a massive untapped financial reservoir.

Inclined’s value proposition aligns perfectly with this market shift:

• Instant Liquidity – Policyholders can borrow against their cash value without selling investments.
  
• Flexible Use Cases – Funds can be used for education, business investments, home renovations, or emergencies.
  
• No Disruption to Coverage – The policy remains active, preserving long-term benefits.
  

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The Founder’s Edge

What sets Inclined’s strategy apart isn’t just the technology - it’s the insight behind it. The smartest founders don’t always create entirely new products; they unlock trapped value in assets people already own but don’t fully leverage.

Whole life insurance has existed for over a century, yet most policyholders - and even some advisors - underestimate its liquidity potential. By reframing an old, trusted product as a living financial tool instead of a dormant safety net, Inclined bypassed the trust barrier most fintechs face and went straight to solving a high-friction pain point.

For founders, the takeaway is clear: when you build in a space with baked-in consumer trust and long-term capital, you can scale faster, sell easier, and often win without fighting entrenched skepticism. Instead of convincing the market to believe in something new, you’re showing them how to use what they already have - better.

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Market Outlook for Life Insurance-Linked Lending

The life insurance borrowing market is experiencing a renaissance as fintech solutions replace outdated processes.

• Market Size: The U.S. life insurance market is valued at over $1.1 trillion in annual premiums.
  
• Cash Value Utilization: Roughly 60% of whole life policyholders never borrow against their policy, despite its liquidity potential.
  
• Fintech Penetration: Digital policy loan platforms are projected to grow at a CAGR of over 15% through 2030, driven by increased adoption among younger policyholders seeking flexible capital.
  

Globally, insurance technology is a booming sector - expected to surpass $166 billion by 2030, with life insurance products representing one of the most adaptable areas for digital disruption.

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Competitive Advantage in a Traditional Industry

Inclined differentiates itself through:

1. Advisor-Friendly Integration – Financial advisors can embed Inclined’s solution into their existing client offerings.
   
2. Faster Time to Funds – Digital onboarding cuts loan access from weeks to days.
   
3. Transparent Terms – Competitive rates and clear repayment structures enhance customer trust.
   
4. Preservation of Benefits – Customers retain all policy protections while accessing liquidity.
   

This combination positions Inclined not just as a fintech lender, but as a strategic partner for policyholders and advisors alike.

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Investor Confidence

The participation of Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures - the venture capital arm of one of America’s largest life insurers - speaks volumes about the platform’s relevance to the industry’s future. HSCM Ventures, with its focus on transformative financial services, adds further operational and market expertise to help Inclined scale.

These backers provide not only capital but deep insurance domain knowledge, regulatory insight, and distribution pathways.

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What’s Next for Inclined

With its Series B capital, Inclined plans to:

• Expand platform capabilities with enhanced analytics and loan management tools
  
• Scale marketing to reach both policyholders and financial advisors nationwide
  
• Deepen partnerships with insurance carriers to integrate more seamlessly with back-end systems
  
• Explore international expansion into markets with high whole life penetration, such as Canada and parts of Asia
  

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A Long-Term Vision Rooted in Financial Freedom

Inclined’s vision is clear: turn whole life insurance into a living asset that actively supports policyholders throughout their lives. By enabling faster, easier access to funds, they’re not just innovating a loan product - they’re reshaping the perception of life insurance from a static policy to a dynamic financial partner.

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