Inclined Technologies: 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Inclined Technologies is a pioneering fintech company focused on revolutionizing the way whole life insurance policy owners access the cash value accumulated in their policies. Based in Sausalito, California, this innovative firm has developed a digital platform that simplifies and democratizes liquidity access through a product called the Inclined Line of Credit (iLOC). By providing policyholders and financial advisors seamless digital tools to unlock the living benefits of whole life policies, Inclined is transforming a traditionally cumbersome and exclusive financial asset into an accessible and flexible resource for a broader population. This article explores ten insightful aspects about Inclined Technologies, highlighting its mission, product features, market impact, and growth trajectory.

1. Founding and Mission

Inclined Technologies was founded in 2020 by industry veterans including Mark Shaw, co-founder of Guidewire Software and Strava, and Joshua Wyss, its current CEO. The company's core mission is to help whole life insurance policyholders maximize the long-term value of their policies — a valuable but underutilized financial asset. By leveraging technology, Inclined makes it easier for policyowners to borrow against the cash value in their policies, offering a fast, transparent, and competitive solution that aims to democratize benefits historically reserved for the wealthy.

2. The Inclined Line of Credit (iLOC)

At the heart of Inclined's offerings is the Inclined Line of Credit or iLOC, a revolving line of credit backed by the cash value of a whole life insurance policy. Unlike traditional loans against policies, the iLOC requires a minimum cash value as low as $5,000, making it accessible to many more policyowners. It offers competitive interest rates with no fees, no penalties, and flexible repayment options. The application process is fully digital, streamlined, and typically completed in under 15 minutes, enabling clients to access liquidity quickly for investments, education, real estate, or emergencies without disrupting their policy’s underlying value.

3. Whole Life Insurance Market Focus

Inclined Technologies exclusively partners with whole life insurers, working with carriers such as Northwestern Mutual, Guardian, and MassMutual. Whole life insurance policies differ from term insurance in that they build cumulative cash value over time, which can be borrowed against. The $5+ trillion whole life insurance market in the United States represents a massive untapped financial resource. By targeting this market, Inclined provides a unique value proposition to policyowners by unlocking liquidity while preserving coverage and growth.

4. Technology and User Experience

Inclined’s platform is designed to provide a seamless, user-friendly experience for both financial advisors and policyowners. Advisors use a dedicated portal to introduce and manage the iLOC product for their clients, while policyowners benefit from an intuitive online application and account management experience. The platform automates underwriting and account setup, significantly reducing processing times compared to traditional methods. Through technology, Inclined fosters transparency, simplicity, and empowerment — key company values — to modernize a traditionally bureaucratic process.

5. Benefits Compared to Traditional Loans

Traditional policy loans from insurers often come with higher interest rates, restrictive terms, and less transparency. Inclined’s iLOC provides lower rates by partnering with financial institutions that typically have more competitive lending standards. Additionally, there are no recurring fees or penalties, and borrowing is more flexible, allowing clients to repay or draw funds as needed. This improved access promotes better policy performance over time, as borrowers avoid policy lapses and keep their death benefits intact.

6. Significant Growth and Funding

Inclined has seen rapid growth since its founding, originating over $1 billion in credit through its platform. As of August 2025, the company closed a major $8 million Series B funding round led by HSCM Ventures, with participation from Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures and other investors. This round follows a strong Series A and seed funding, bringing total capital raised to over $31 million. The funding supports expanding technological capabilities, platform reach, and scaling the team to meet increasing demand from whole life advisors and policyowners nationwide.

7. Strategic Partnerships with Financial Advisors

A key aspect of Inclined’s market approach is collaboration with financial advisors who serve whole life policyholders. The Inclined Advisor Portal provides professionals with tools and resources to seamlessly recommend and onboard clients to the iLOC product. This B2B2C model helps scale the platform’s adoption and ensures policyowners receive personalized guidance to optimize their insurance assets. The company emphasizes building trusted relationships and educating advisors on the living benefits of whole life policies.

8. Customer Experience and Reviews

Clients of Inclined consistently praise the simplicity, speed, and cost-effectiveness of the iLOC product. User testimonials highlight a smooth application process, proactive support, and the convenience of accessing funds quickly without stringent requirements. Customers appreciate that Inclined never charges fees or forces utilization of the line, providing peace of mind alongside financial flexibility. These positive experiences are a testament to the company’s commitment to transparency and customer empowerment.

9. Industry Impact and Innovation

Inclined Technologies is at the forefront of insurtech innovation by digitizing a traditionally analog and cumbersome process. It challenges conventional lending norms by integrating cutting-edge fintech solutions in a heavily regulated insurance landscape. By making whole life insurance cash value more liquid and accessible, Inclined is reshaping how policyholders perceive and utilize life insurance, potentially influencing how the broader life insurance industry evolves over the next decade.

10. Future Prospects and Expansion Plans

With a growing user base and robust investor support, Inclined plans to expand its partnerships with additional whole life insurance carriers and continue enhancing platform features. The company aims to reach more policyowners across the country and possibly explore new products that further integrate technology into life insurance financial planning. Its ongoing innovation and market traction position Inclined to play a major role in the future of life insurance asset management.

Conclusion

Inclined Technologies embodies a transformative shift in the life insurance industry, unlocking the hidden value in whole life policies through innovative technology. By offering the Inclined Line of Credit, the company empowers policyowners and advisors with faster, easier, and more cost-effective access to liquidity. Inclined’s journey highlights how fintech can modernize legacy financial products, enhancing policyowners’ financial flexibility and long-term wealth management. As Inclined continues to grow and broaden its impact, it raises intriguing possibilities about the ways insurance assets might be leveraged in the future to serve consumers’ evolving financial needs.