High-end shoppers often hesitate before splurging on luxury items—not because of the price, but because of the risk. Theft, loss, or damage aren’t just rare incidents; they’re constant worries. Traditional insurance fails to ease those fears. It’s slow, detached, and doesn’t fit into the fast-paced, seamless luxury retail experience. That’s where Paris-based GRACE steps in, blending AI with white-glove service to redefine luxury protection.
Founded by Lou Dana, Quentin Roy, and Martin Lenweiter, GRACE just secured a €5.9 million seed round to scale its AI-powered embedded insurance platform. The funding, led by FinTech Collective and Speedinvest, with backing from Firstminute Capital, Purple (Laurent Ritter’s fund), Kima Ventures, Bpifrance, a16z Scout, and Sequoia Scout, will drive international expansion, product development, and partnerships with major luxury brands.
Reimagining Luxury Insurance: Instant, Embedded, Effortless
GRACE has built a one-of-a-kind embedded insurance solution that activates automatically when a luxury item is purchased. No paperwork. No hidden fees. Just instant peace of mind. This system is brand-funded and deeply integrated into the luxury buying experience.
Shoppers enjoy complimentary, automatic protection the moment they check out—no apps or forms required. Reporting a claim? It takes less than five minutes, with the AI platform handling fraud detection and logistics in real-time. GRACE even offers coverage across 190+ countries, making it perfect for jet-setters and global collectors.
With support from global insurance giant Chubb, GRACE is already preparing to safeguard over 200,000 luxury products by the end of 2025. From exclusive watches to couture fashion, every piece is insured with just a click.
From Podcast to Platform: Lou Dana’s Vision for GRACE
GRACE’s journey began when founder Lou Dana, best known as the voice behind France’s leading luxury podcast @PodcastduLuxe, realized luxury shoppers were left vulnerable after checkout. Despite the promises of exclusivity and service, post-purchase support was missing.
Dana, who holds a PhD in pharmacy and is an alumna of École Polytechnique and HEC Paris Entrepreneurs, teamed up with Quentin Roy—a former Swiss special forces officer with a background in international trade—and Martin Lenweiter, a computer scientist and economist with fintech expertise.
Together, they built GRACE to fill a glaring gap: making luxury protection as sophisticated and seamless as the brands themselves.
Why Investors Are Betting on GRACE
Olga Shikhantsova, Partner at Speedinvest, shared, “GRACE identified a major void in the luxury space. Lou, Quentin, and Martin bring the perfect mix of vision and execution. They’re creating something the industry didn’t even know it needed.”
Toby Triebel from FinTech Collective added, “No one has cracked embedded insurance in the luxury space. GRACE is poised to become a category-defining player with global reach.”
What Sets GRACE Apart
While platforms like Cover Genius focus on embedded insurance for various sectors, GRACE is the first to apply this model exclusively to luxury goods. Its infrastructure offers:
- Instant API-based protection at checkout
- AI-powered claims resolution in days, not months
- Fraud detection and logistics built into the backend
- A sleek, paperless customer experience
It’s not just about protection—it’s about reinforcing trust, improving customer loyalty, and offering a luxury experience even after the sale.
The Future of Luxury Ownership
GRACE is on a mission to go beyond insurance. The startup is building a full-stack infrastructure for luxury asset management, which will include secure item tracking, authentication tools, and access to the secondary market.
In the words of Lou Dana, “We’re not just adding a layer of protection. We’re creating an entirely new way for brands and customers to connect—one that’s built on peace of mind and long-term trust.”
By embedding post-purchase care into the shopping experience, GRACE is empowering brands to foster stronger emotional connections with their clients—making luxury feel effortless, secure, and future-ready.
