Graham Gerlach (Inclined Technologies): 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Graham Gerlach is a notable entrepreneur and financial expert, best known as the co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Inclined Technologies, a fintech company revolutionizing how individuals access value from whole life insurance policies. With a strong background in wealth management and estate planning, Gerlach's work at Inclined is reshaping the traditionally exclusive world of insurance lending by leveraging technology to democratize access to cash value loans. In this article, readers will discover key insights into Gerlach’s career, his role at Inclined, and how the company is innovating within the insurtech space, alongside important milestones and his broader contributions to finance.

1. Early Career and Professional Background

Before venturing into entrepreneurship, Graham Gerlach developed two decades of experience in wealth management and estate planning. He began his career in 1998 at Northwestern Mutual, where he excelled as a Wealth Management Advisor and Accredited Estate Planner until 2014. In 2015, he founded Ratio Wealth Group, serving as managing partner and owner. This extensive experience provided him a deep understanding of financial planning, especially tailored for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families.

2. Educational Credentials and Certifications

Gerlach holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and Psychology from Denison University, where he studied from 1992 to 1996. He is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), licensed since 2012, and an Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®), designations that signify his expertise in financial and estate planning. These qualifications underpin his professional endeavors and his ability to navigate complex financial products and strategies.

3. Founding Inclined Technologies

In 2020, Gerlach co-founded Inclined Technologies alongside Mark Shaw and Joshua Wyss. Inclined is a SaaS fintech company focused on providing innovative refinancing solutions for whole life insurance policy loans. The startup’s mission is to harness technology to simplify and broaden access to borrowing against insurance cash values, an area traditionally limited to the wealthy. Gerlach holds the role of Chief Revenue Officer, steering the company’s growth and client engagement efforts.

4. The Innovation Behind Inclined

Inclined Technologies offers a unique product called the iLOC (Inclined Line of Credit), a revolving line of credit secured by the cash value in whole life insurance policies. This allows policyholders to borrow against their accumulated cash at lower interest rates than traditionally offered by insurers. Their platform digitizes the underwriting and loan application process, drastically reducing time and increasing efficiency – creating a more accessible and user-friendly experience for consumers and insurance advisers alike.

5. Democratizing Access to Whole Life Insurance Loans

Historically, borrowing against the cash value of whole life insurance policies was a privilege mostly for affluent individuals. Inclined’s approach changes that by opening this financial opportunity to a broader range of policyholders, empowering them to leverage their insurance’s cash value during their lifetime—whether for investments, education, large purchases, or emergency funds. This innovation aligns with Gerlach's vision of financial empowerment and accessibility.

6. Inclined's Funding and Growth Trajectory

Since its inception, Inclined Technologies has raised over $30 million in venture funding across multiple rounds, including a significant $8 million Series B fundraise in 2025. Key investors include HSCM Ventures and Northwestern Mutual, which also serves as a strategic partner. The company has shown impressive growth with over $1 billion in credit originated on its platform and a substantial increase in annual recurring revenue, reflecting strong market traction and scaling.

7. Gerlach’s Leadership and Role at Inclined

As Chief Revenue Officer, Gerlach leads Inclined’s sales, partnerships, and revenue-generating strategies. His deep roots in wealth and estate planning help bridge the gap between traditional financial advisory roles and new fintech innovations, ensuring that the company's offerings meet client needs effectively. Gerlach’s leadership is pivotal in expanding Inclined’s network, including thousands of insurance professionals who recommend the iLOC product.

8. Industry Impact and Broader Financial Contributions

Graham Gerlach is recognized for pushing the boundaries of insurtech by driving better long-term outcomes for whole life policyholders. By bringing technology-driven efficiency and transparency to a complex financial product, he contributes to an industry-wide shift towards customer-centric innovation. Beyond Inclined, he remains active in financial advisory roles and contributes to wealth management communities, particularly through his involvement with the Denver Estate Planning Counsel.

9. Inclined Technologies’ Business Model and Market Position

Inclined operates primarily on a B2B2C model, working with insurance advisers who offer the iLOC product to whole life policyholders. The company generates revenue via fees paid by banking partners. Its technology platform addresses inefficiencies in the insurance loan refinancing market, enabling banks with lower interest rates to participate at scale, and offering policyowners a more flexible borrowing option without typical fees like late penalties or recurring interest payments.

10. Future Prospects and Vision

Looking ahead, Graham Gerlach and the Inclined leadership team plan continued investment in their engineering and sales teams to grow their market presence. The company envisions expanding the use of whole life insurance cash value as an accessible asset class, potentially building new banking products around this underutilized resource. Gerlach’s vision includes a more financially inclusive future where policyholders can maximize the living benefits of their whole life insurance policies.

Conclusion

Graham Gerlach stands out as a visionary financial professional and entrepreneur whose work with Inclined Technologies is transforming access to whole life insurance borrowing. His blend of industry expertise, innovative thinking, and leadership is helping to democratize a traditionally exclusive financial product, enabling more people to harness the value of their policies during their lifetimes. As Inclined continues to grow, Gerlach’s impact on fintech and insurance is likely to expand, raising intriguing questions about the future intersection of technology, finance, and insurance.