Mark Shaw (Inclined Technologies): 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Mark Shaw is a prominent American technology entrepreneur and software executive best known as the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Inclined Technologies, a fintech startup revolutionizing the way people maximize the value of their whole life insurance policies. With a background that includes co-founding major companies like Guidewire Software and Strava, Shaw has leveraged his extensive experience in software development and fintech to innovate in the insurance industry. Inclined Technologies, founded in 2020, has gained significant traction by creating digital tools that open up new financial opportunities for policyholders and financial institutions alike. This article explores the pivotal moments and key aspects of Mark Shaw’s career and contributions to technology and fintech.

1. Early Career and Education

Mark Shaw holds both a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer Science from Stanford University, completed in 1996 and 1998 respectively. His strong technical foundation enabled him to embark on a prolific career in technology and software development. Early on, he worked as a software engineer before co-founding his first major startup, setting the stage for his subsequent ventures.

2. Co-founding Guidewire Software

In 2001, Mark Shaw co-founded Guidewire Software, a company specializing in software for the insurance industry. His leadership in engineering and product development helped Guidewire grow into a major software provider with an IPO in 2012. Guidewire is widely recognized for providing core systems that insurance companies use for policy administration, claims, and billing, marking Shaw’s first significant contribution to insurtech.

3. Leadership at Strava

Following Guidewire, Shaw co-founded Strava in 2009, a popular fitness activity tracking platform. As CTO and head of growth for several years, he helped build Strava’s technology infrastructure and lead its expansion to a community of over 70 million global users. The platform became especially popular among runners and cyclists, earning a cult-like following due to its social and analytic features.

4. Founding Inclined Technologies

In 2020, Shaw teamed up with Joshua Wyss and Graham Gerlach to launch Inclined Technologies, which focuses on fintech innovation by enhancing life insurance policy value for holders. As co-founder and CTO, Shaw applies his expertise to digitize and simplify lending processes against whole life insurance cash values. Inclined’s mission is to modernize an industry traditionally underserved by technology, opening access to financial benefits historically reserved for the wealthy.

5. Technological Innovation at Inclined

Inclined Technologies has developed a unique platform offering an innovative product called the Inclined Line of Credit (iLOC). This revolving line of credit is secured by the cash value of whole life insurance policies, enabling policyholders to access liquidity efficiently and at competitive rates. Shaw’s leadership in technology development has been critical in creating digital underwriting systems and analytics, significantly reducing the time-intensive manual processes in life insurance lending.

6. Impact on the Insurance and Financial Industry

By enabling banks to offer lower interest rates than traditional insurance companies, Inclined is driving more affordable borrowing options for policyholders. Shaw and his team highlight that their technology has the potential to increase the market penetration of lending against the $1.1 trillion cash value held in U.S. whole life insurance policies. This democratizes access to financial resources and enhances long-term investment returns for users.

7. Navigating Fundraising and Growth Challenges

Inclined has successfully raised over $31 million in funding by 2025, including a notable Series B round of $8 million led by HSCM Ventures and participation from Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures. Shaw described raising funds in recent years as challenging due to tough economic conditions but emphasized how Inclined’s countercyclical and low-risk business model positions it well to thrive. The capital raised is directed towards scaling sales, enhancing technology, and growing the engineering team.

8. Vision and Philosophy

Mark Shaw likens whole life insurance policies with cash value to owning a home instead of renting, highlighting the intrinsic value and permanency these financial products offer. His approach to Inclined embodies a vision of “financial democracy,” where sophisticated financial tools and products become accessible to all policyholders rather than an exclusive few, reflecting Shaw’s drive to innovate with purpose and inclusivity.

9. Broader Influence and Board Memberships

Beyond Inclined, Mark Shaw's influence extends through his involvement on boards such as Equilar, a platform providing executive and board member intelligence. His participation in advisory roles leverages his deep expertise in technology and executive leadership to support strategic growth for companies beyond his own ventures.

10. Future Prospects and Industry Trends

Looking ahead, Shaw is positioning Inclined to capitalize on expanding the market for whole life insurance borrowing and other financial products based on permanent life insurance cash value. As fintech integration in insurance deepens, Shaw’s company aims to continue innovating with scalable digital solutions that streamline policy management and lending. Inclined’s strong backing and technological edge suggest that Shaw will remain a significant figure in fintech for years to come.

Conclusion

Mark Shaw exemplifies the modern technology entrepreneur who combines deep technical proficiency with strategic insight to disrupt traditional industries. From co-founding Guidewire to building Strava and now leading Inclined Technologies into new fintech frontiers, Shaw’s career highlights a commitment to innovation and expanding financial empowerment. By modernizing whole life insurance lending, he is helping policyholders unlock previously inaccessible value, demonstrating the transformative potential of technology in finance. As financial landscapes evolve, Shaw’s work prompts us to consider how enduring assets like life insurance might be reimagined for broader benefit and lasting impact.