EMC Insurance Group Inc. today announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with DAIS Technology Inc., an insurtech startup that is launching a connected network designed to help insurance agents advance their digital capabilities. EMC said the partnership is an opportunity to “further strengthen the agent’s value proposition in an increasingly connected society.” The Chicago-based startup’s technology links insurance carriers, agents and policyholders in one streamlined network. “Maintaining the status quo is not an option in today’s marketplace,” said Scott Jean, executive vice president of finance and strategy at EMC. “Technological advancements are creating new, exciting opportunities for the independent agent.” EMC said in a release that it made an initial investment in the company in late 2016, but did not provide further details about the partnership. According to DAIS Technology’s LinkedIn page, the startup is “currently in stealth mode and working only with a select group of industry leaders while the network is being incubated.”