Waterdrop Wins 2025 Global Best Case Brands Award, Empowering Inclusive Protection Through Technological Innovation

Rhea-AI Summary

Waterdrop (NYSE: WDH) won the Global Best Case Brands Award at the 3rd International Conference on Management Change and Sustainable Development on Dec 2, 2025, recognized from 100+ nominees for contributions to inclusive protection and case-based research.

The company highlights its AI and product milestones: ~RMB 300 million annual tech R&D since 2019, GuardianShuishou LLM filings and >100 AI patents, 214 pre-existing-condition insurance offerings in 2025, and Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding which raised ~RMB 70 billion for 3.54 million patients as of Jun 2025.

Positive

• R&D spend of nearly RMB 300 million annually since 2019
• >100 AI-related patents granted
• 48 foundation-model patents filed by end of 2024
• 214 pre-existing-condition insurance offerings introduced in 2025
• RMB 70 billion raised for 3.54 million patients via crowdfunding (Jun 2025)

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction

+1.08% 3.5x vol

7 alerts

+1.08% News Effect

+3.0% Peak Tracked

-9.6% Trough Tracked

+$8M Valuation Impact

$734M Market Cap

3.5x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, WDH gained 1.08%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +3.0% during that session. Argus tracked a trough of -9.6% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 7 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $8M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $734M at that time. Trading volume was very high at 3.5x the daily average, suggesting strong buying interest.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Tech R&D investment: RMB 300 million annually Foundation model patents filed: 48 patents AI-related patents granted: 100+ patents +5 more

8 metrics

Tech R&D investment RMB 300 million annually Technology R&D spending since 2019

Foundation model patents filed 48 patents Patents associated with GuardianShuishou foundation model by end of 2024

AI-related patents granted 100+ patents Total AI-related patents granted overall

Pre-existing-condition products 214 offerings Products for individuals with pre-existing conditions launched in 2025

First-of-their-kind products 34 product types Pre-existing-condition insurance products first of their kind in China

Medical crowdfunding donations RMB 70 billion Funds contributed via Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding as of June 2025

Contributors 480 million people Individuals contributing to medical crowdfunding as of June 2025

Patients assisted 3.54 million patients Major-illness patients supported via medical crowdfunding as of June 2025

Market Reality Check

Price: $1.80 Vol: Volume 365,192 is in line...

normal vol

$1.80 Last Close

Volume Volume 365,192 is in line with 20-day average 362,577 (relative volume 1.01). normal

Technical Price 1.82 is trading above 200-day MA at 1.58, indicating a pre-existing upward bias.

Peers on Argus

WDH gained 2.94% while key insurance peers like HRTG and UVE were also up (4.12%...

WDH gained 2.94% while key insurance peers like HRTG and UVE were also up (4.12% and 3.02%), but no momentum scan signal suggests this move was more company-specific than a broad sector rotation.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Dec 03 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 03	Q3 2025 earnings	Positive	+1.1%	Strong revenue and profit growth with fifteenth consecutive profitable quarter.
Dec 03	Q3 2025 earnings	Positive	+1.1%	Robust operating profit, high cash balance, and continued ADS repurchases.
Dec 02	Award recognition	Positive	+1.1%	Global Best Case Brands Award highlighting inclusive protection and AI innovation.
Nov 19	Earnings date notice	Neutral	-1.8%	Announcement of date and time for upcoming Q3 2025 earnings release.
Sep 25	ESG report release	Positive	+2.0%	2024 ESG report with A-level rating, AI progress, and expanded social impact.

Pattern Detected

Recent positive earnings, ESG, and recognition news have all coincided with modest positive price reactions, suggesting the stock has typically reacted constructively to favorable announcements.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Waterdrop reported strong Q3 2025 results with double-digit revenue and profit growth and a long profitable streak, alongside a solid cash position and share repurchases. ESG reporting highlighted sustained AI investment, an A-level ESG rating, and expanded support for vulnerable groups. Awards such as the Global Best Case Brands recognition reinforced its innovation and inclusive protection narrative. Historically, similar positive updates have led to modestly positive single-day price moves.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Waterdrop’s recognition for its inclusive protection model and AI-drive...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Waterdrop’s recognition for its inclusive protection model and AI-driven innovation, including substantial R&D investment, numerous AI-related patents, and hundreds of products for people with pre-existing conditions. The scale of its medical crowdfunding platform, with RMB 70 billion raised for millions of patients, reinforces its social-impact angle. Investors may watch how these initiatives translate into future financial performance, user growth, and regulatory developments.

Key Terms

artificial intelligence, LLM, foundation model, pre-existing conditions, +1 more

5 terms

artificial intelligence technical

"industry experts, researchers, and business leaders from North America, Europe, and Asia—spanning management, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development"

Artificial intelligence is the ability of computers and machines to perform tasks that typically require human thinking, such as understanding language, recognizing patterns, or making decisions. For investors, it matters because AI can enhance efficiency, uncover new insights, and enable smarter strategies, potentially impacting the value and performance of companies that develop or utilize this technology.

LLM technical

"the company's proprietary GuardianShuishou LLM completed algorithm filing with the Cyberspace Administration of China"

A large language model (LLM) is an advanced computer system trained on vast amounts of written text to understand and generate human-like language, similar to a very fast, well-read assistant that can summarize documents, draft messages, or answer questions. Investors care because LLMs can speed up research, automate customer support, and reduce costs, while also creating new product opportunities and risks around accuracy, bias, and regulatory oversight that can affect a company’s performance.

foundation model technical

"As of the end of 2024, Waterdrop had filed 48 patents associated with its foundation model"

A foundation model is a large artificial intelligence system trained on vast, diverse data so it can be adapted to many tasks—like a universal engine that can be tuned to drive different products or services. Investors care because these models can lower the cost and time to build new AI-enabled offerings, create competitive advantages or concentration risks, and drive capital needs for compute, talent and regulation that affect company value.

pre-existing conditions medical

"products designed for individuals with pre-existing conditions: In 2025, Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace introduced 214 such offerings"

Health conditions, illnesses, or injuries that existed before a person’s health insurance coverage or a clinical trial begins; think of them like a scratch on a car that was already there before you bought it. Investors care because pre-existing conditions affect insurers’ costs, employer healthcare liabilities, drug and device demand, and regulatory decisions—so changes in coverage rules or treatment options can materially change company profits and risk.

medical crowdfunding financial

"Waterdrop has also built a critical bridge for serious-illness assistance through its Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding platform"

Medical crowdfunding is the practice of raising money from many individuals online to pay for medical treatment, hospital bills, or related care, much like a community tip jar where many small contributions cover a big expense. For investors, it matters because trends in medical crowdfunding reveal gaps in health coverage, influence the growth of fundraising platforms, and signal patient demand and financial strain that can affect healthcare providers, insurers, and related businesses.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

BEIJING, Dec. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Waterdrop Inc. (NYSE: WDH) was honored with the Global Best Case Brands Award at the 3^rd International Conference on Management Change and Sustainable Development (MC&SD). Selected from more than 100 nominated companies, Waterdrop stood out for its significant contributions and innovative practices in advancing inclusive protection. The conference was hosted by Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics (JUFE) and organized by its School of Business Administration.

Nearly 300 industry experts, researchers, and business leaders from North America, Europe, and Asia—spanning management, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development—took part in a series of conference sessions centered on the theme "AI Development and Enterprise Continuous Innovation."

Co-hosted by the International Case Research Association (ICRA) and the Canada China Business Council (CCBC), the Global Best Case Brands Award aims to recognize companies that have made outstanding contributions to business case research and case-based teaching, as well as those demonstrating strong international impact. Prof. William Wei, President of ICRA and Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics at Algoma University in Canada, outlined the award's evaluation criteria and selection process. The award was jointly presented to the winning companies by Que Shandong, Vice President of JUFE and Mike Annett, Associate Dean of the School of Business, MacEwan University, Canada.

Founded in 2016, Waterdrop Inc. is a leading insurance technology and healthcare platform in China. Anchored in its mission of "harnessing internet-based technologies to make insurance and healthcare accessible for all and to protect millions of families," the company is committed to delivering comprehensive insurance and health-protection solutions to its users. Its business portfolio includes Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding, Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace, E-Find, Waterdrop Financial, and Lugo Visa, creating a diversified service ecosystem that combines medical fundraising, insurance technology, and healthcare services.

Since 2019, Waterdrop has been exploring the use of AI to address the limited availability of suitable insurance offerings, investing nearly RMB 300 million annually in technology R&D. In 2024, the company's proprietary GuardianShuishou LLM completed algorithm filing with the Cyberspace Administration of China and secured multiple patents for large-model development. As of the end of 2024, Waterdrop had filed 48 patents associated with its foundation model, with more than 100 AI-related patents granted overall.

The GuardianShuishou LLM provides insurance agents, brokers, and policyholders with more professional, accurate, and easy-to-understand recommendations, enhancing capabilities and boosting efficiency across the entire insurance value chain. At the same time, Waterdrop continues to focus on the differentiated protection needs of seniors, individuals with pre-existing conditions, and pregnant women and infants. By launching inclusive products such as Jiehaoyun and Kanbingbao, the company has enhanced the accessibility and affordability of insurance coverage. A case in point is products designed for individuals with pre-existing conditions: In 2025, Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace introduced 214 such offerings, including 34 first-of-their-kind product types in China and 37 options that require no health declaration. On average, a new pre-existing-condition product was launched every 1.14 days, enabling Waterdrop to build a portfolio of innovative insurance products tailored to individuals with health challenges. This ensures that consumers of different ages and varying health conditions can access insurance coverage suited to their needs.

Meanwhile, to support inclusive protection, Waterdrop has also built a critical bridge for serious-illness assistance through its Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding platform. Patients can initiate medical fundraising campaigns and share them across social networks such as WeChat, enabling donors to provide support quickly and easily. As of June 2025, approximately 480 million people had collectively contributed about RMB 70 billion to more than 3.54 million patients with major illnesses via Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding. Every 53 seconds, a new family launches a fundraising campaign on the platform, and every second, nine people make a donation. Behind each fundraising campaign, an average of seven Waterdrop crowdfunding staff members provide dedicated support.

Winning the Global Best Case Brands Award once again highlights the research value of Waterdrop's innovative business model. Looking ahead, Waterdrop will continue to focus on inclusive protection, create greater value for people, and deepen its AI-driven strategy. The company is committed to becoming a global, technology-driven leader in financial and healthcare services, contributing to a better quality of life for all.

For more information, visit Waterdrop at https://www.waterdrop-inc.com/.

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SOURCE Waterdrop Inc.

FAQ

What award did Waterdrop (WDH) win on Dec 2, 2025?

Waterdrop won the Global Best Case Brands Award at the 3rd MC&SD conference on Dec 2, 2025.

How much does Waterdrop invest annually in AI and tech R&D?

Waterdrop invests nearly RMB 300 million annually in technology R&D.

How many pre-existing-condition products did Waterdrop (WDH) introduce in 2025?

Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace introduced 214 pre-existing-condition offerings in 2025.

What is the scale of Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding as of June 2025?

As of Jun 2025, about 480 million people contributed ~RMB 70 billion to help 3.54 million patients.

What AI milestones did Waterdrop report for its GuardianShuishou LLM?

GuardianShuishou LLM completed algorithm filing with the Cyberspace Administration of China and Waterdrop filed 48 foundation-model patents by end of 2024.