“Prismo: Building an AI-Powered Parametric Insurance for Gig Workers | Hackathon Journey”

Pranitha Peddi — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:48:29 +0000

From Uncertainty to Impact: Building Prismo at the Guidewire DevTrails Hackathon

Hackathons always seemed like a test of skills to me — a place where only the most experienced people build something extraordinary.
But my journey at the Guidewire DevTrails Hackathon proved something very different.
It’s not about knowing everything.
It’s about being willing to learn, adapt, and build — even when you’re unsure.

The Beginning: Why This Hackathon Mattered

This hackathon focused on solving real-world problems — problems that impact everyday lives.
As a team, PRABHA, we wanted to work on something meaningful.
That’s when we turned our attention to the gig economy.
Delivery partners, who form the backbone of many services today, face unpredictable challenges:

Heavy rain
Traffic congestion
Pollution
Curfews

These are factors completely beyond their control — yet they directly affect their income.
And surprisingly, there is no system that protects their daily earnings.
That realization stayed with us.

Before the hackathon began, I had a mix of emotions.

Excited — because it was an opportunity.
Nervous — because of the unknown.
There was always that lingering thought:
“Am I good enough for this?”
“What if others are ahead of me?”
I believed hackathons were about expertise.
But soon, I realized they are about effort and mindset.

Introducing Prismo

We didn’t want to just identify the problem — we wanted to solve it.

So we built Prismo — an AI-powered parametric insurance platform designed specifically for gig workers.
What makes Prismo different?
Detects disruptions using real-time data
Calculates actual income loss based on actual working hours
Automatically triggers fair payouts — no claims, no delays
Prismo shifts insurance from reactive → proactive.
From waiting → responding instantly.

From Phase 1 to Phase 2: Turning Ideas into Reality

In Phase 1, we focused on designing Prismo:

Understanding the problem deeply
Structuring the solution
Defining system flow and impact

Now in Phase 2, we are building a working prototype, focusing on:
Real-time data integration
Reliable payout mechanisms
Practical deployment scenarios

This is where ideas evolve into systems. Let's see how it goes but Hackathons are not just about winning.

They are about:
Growth
Learning
Resilience
Belief

I walked in with doubts.
I’m walking forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
And that, to me, is the real victory.

And finally — a fun note about our team name.

We chose the name PRABHA, thinking about its meaning — radiance, light, something that shines.
Only later did we realize something funny…
All three of us — Praveen, Prajukta, and Pranitha — start with “Pra”.
So I guess PRABHA wasn’t just a meaningful name…