Afleveringen
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How do todayâs leaders navigate the fast-paced evolution of the insurtech space? What does it take to leverage cutting-edge technology while building sustainable and impactful businesses? From balancing innovation with operational rigor to fostering collaboration across diverse teams, leadership in insurtech requires vision, adaptability, and a relentless focus on solving customer challenges.This episode features Ben Jennings, CEO of Embroker, discussing his leadership journey and how Embroker is leading the Insurtech 2.0 movement. Ben explores the critical balance between technological innovation and insurance expertise to deliver exceptional customer value. He also shares insights into leadership transitions, building team alignment, and creating a culture of humility and collaboration.Key Insights:- How Embroker leads the Insurtech 2.0 movement.- Practical applications of AI for a seamless customer buying experience.- The importance of radical prioritization and focus in leadership.- Balancing profitable growth with innovation.Featured Conversations:- [00:00:39] Observations on the tech-forward vibe at ITC 2024.- [00:01:33] Leading the Insurtech 2.0 movement.- [00:03:46] Using AI to transform customer experiences.- [00:08:01] Transitioning from Chief Revenue Officer to CEO.- [00:14:08] Advice for aspiring leaders on humility and continuous learning.Notable Quote:"Success in Insurtech 2.0 comes from balancing advanced technology with insurance expertise to deliver exceptional customer value." â Ben JenningsResources:- Embroker: [embroker.com](https://embroker.com)- LinkedIn: [Ben Jennings](https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjennings)Tune in for Benâs insights on how to thrive in todayâs rapidly evolving insurtech landscape. Donât forget to subscribe for future episodes.
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What does it take to lead and innovate in the rapidly evolving insurtech space? How can companies leverage cutting-edge technology to address customer challenges while building sustainable and impactful businesses? This episode features Xing Xin, CEO and Co-Founder of Upfort, sharing how his company is redefining cyber resilience through the integration of advanced cybersecurity and insurance solutions. Xing discusses how Upfort reduces risk for small and mid-sized businesses by leveraging AI, fostering collaboration between tech and insurance professionals, and expanding into personal cyber solutions.Key Insights:- Upfortâs mission to enhance cyber resilience.- Using AI to reduce claim frequency by up to 75%.- Building a balanced team culture combining tech and insurance expertise.- Managing dual distribution strategies for enterprises and SMBs.Featured Conversations:- [00:02:12] Reflections on ITC and the evolution of the insurtech community.- [00:05:56] Upfortâs innovative approach to cyber resilience.- [00:24:40] Expanding into personal cyber solutions.Notable Quote:âToo many people start from the technology instead of the business problem. Our focus is always on solving real-world challenges through innovation.â â Xing XinResources:- Upfort: [upfort.com](https://upfort.com)- LinkedIn: [Xing Xin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/xingxin)Discover how Xing is leading the way in cyber resilience. Donât forget to subscribe for future episodes.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Life insurance is being transformed through technology, streamlining processes and empowering agents and clients alike. This episode features Angus Dunn, Nick Bowman, and Xuejun Tao of Xcela, sharing how they are enhancing life insurance through AI. The conversation delves into overcoming legacy challenges, building trust through data security, and reshaping the role of agents to deliver value to clients efficiently. Key Insights:- Xcelaâs mission to enhance life insurance sales and distribution.- Using AI to transform life insurance processes.- Strategies for market adaptation and building client trust.- Overcoming legacy issues in the insurance sector.Featured Conversations:- [00:02:39] Overview of Xcela's mission and collaborative development.- [00:09:09] The agent's perspective on technology adoption.- [00:20:30] Navigating long sales cycles in insurance.Notable Quotes:
"Now everything is possible, and how we actually make things happen is by taking a new approach to apply AI, especially to help the specific industry." â Xuejun Tao
"I really donât like to build products before selling them. If you can sell it, you can build it." â Angus Dunn
Resources:
Xcela: https://life.xcela.ai/LinkedIn: Angus Dunn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/angus-dunn-2827b2)LinkedIn: Nick Bowman (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-bowman-cfp%C2%AE-ms-cep%C2%AE-9bb31743)LinkedIn: Xuejun Tao (https://www.linkedin.com/in/xuejun-tao-0998594)Tune in to hear how Xcela is revolutionizing the life insurance industry. Donât forget to subscribe for future episodes.
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How can technology simplify life insurance sales and empower agents to deliver exceptional service? This episode features Hilliard Milner, Co-Founder of Optifino, discussing how AI and holistic solutions are modernizing the life insurance industry.
Hilliard explores overcoming legacy challenges, fostering growth, and the importance of providing agents with the right tools to succeed.
Key Insights:
Optifinoâs vision to streamline life insurance with AI.Empowering agents through user-friendly platforms.Addressing legacy challenges and creating holistic solutions.Featured Conversations:
[00:00:39] Optifinoâs platform overview.[00:05:05] Challenges with lead generation and engaging carriers.[00:23:22] Future vision for the company.Notable Quote: âMy co-founder has extensive experience in life insurance, and we specialize in complicated cases because we have the subject matter experts and our technology adds massive value.â â Hilliard Milner
Resources:
Optifino: comLinkedIn: Hilliard MilnerLearn how Optifino is shaping the future of life insurance. Donât forget to subscribe for future episodes.
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How do traditional players in insurance leverage technology to modernize while maintaining their heritage? This episode features Steve Johnson, Founder of Insured.IO, discussing how user experience drives customer retention and supports digital transformation in the insurance industry.
Steve shares insights into building a scalable SaaS platform, overcoming resistance to digital change, and fostering trust through seamless technology.
Key Insights:
The importance of user experience in customer retention.Transitioning from professional services to a scalable SaaS model.Overcoming resistance to digital transformation.Featured Conversations:
[00:20] The impact of user experience on customer retention.[05:00] Transitioning from professional services to a scalable SaaS platform.[09:10] Overcoming resistance to digital transformation in established markets.Notable Quote: "Trust is earned one interaction at a time, and technology helps us get there faster." â Steve Johnson
Resources:
IO: insured.ioLinkedIn: Steve JohnsonTune in to discover how Steve Johnson is modernizing insurance through a user-first approach. Donât forget to subscribe for future episodes.
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How can established insurers innovate while staying true to their roots? This episode features Carlos Cendre, Scouting and Investment Lead at MAPFRE, discussing how global strategies, partnerships, and emerging trends like embedded and parametric insurance drive modernization.
Carlos highlights MAPFREâs approach to addressing challenges like climate change and cybersecurity through strategic collaborations.
Key Insights:
MAPFREâs global strategy and its significant presence in LATAM markets.Building partnerships to address issues like climate change and cybersecurity.Leveraging trends like embedded and parametric insurance.Featured Conversations:
[00:05] Insights into MAPFREâs global strategy.[06:40] Building strategic partnerships to tackle emerging challenges.[09:30] Staying competitive through embedded and parametric insurance.Notable Quote: "Innovation doesnât replace tradition; it builds upon it." â Carlos Cendre
Resources:
MAPFRE: comLinkedIn: Carlos CendreLearn how MAPFRE blends innovation with tradition to redefine insurance. Donât forget to subscribe for future episodes.
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Is collaboration the key to modernizing the insurance industry? This episode features Dorothy Kelly, VP of Innovation at Verisk, sharing how her team fosters a culture of innovation through employee-driven ideas and customer-focused solutions.
Dorothy dives into how Verisk integrates cross-divisional data to create impactful products and the role of data as the currency of the future.
Key Insights:
Fostering innovation through employee-generated ideas.Aligning innovation efforts with customer needs.Integrating cross-divisional data for impactful solutions.Featured Conversations:
[00:15] Veriskâs approach to fostering innovation.[03:30] Aligning innovation with real-world challenges.[07:00] Leveraging data to create impactful solutions.Notable Quote: "Data is the currency of the future, and weâre here to help companies spend it wisely." â Dorothy Kelly
Resources:
Verisk: comLinkedIn: Dorothy KellyExplore how Verisk is leading the charge in data-driven innovation. Donât forget to subscribe for future episodes.
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How is AI transforming the insurance industry? In this episode, Leandro DalleMule, Global Head of Insurance at Planck, shares insights into moving beyond buzzwords to implement AI solutions that solve specific business problems.
Leandro discusses how Planck focuses on underwriting pain points and integrates actionable insights to drive meaningful outcomes in insurance operations.
Key Insights:
The evolution of AI in insurance from experimental to practical applications.Transitioning from data management to AI-driven insights.Solving underwriting pain points with tailored AI solutions.Featured Conversations:
[01:35] Leandroâs background in insurance analytics.[07:47] Achieving product-market fit with early AI adopters.[09:48] Focusing on carrier-specific challenges with AI.Notable Quote: "We never really framed it as, you need AI. We always try to frame it in terms of your pain points from an insurance, very specific carrier point of view." â Leandro DalleMule
Resources:
Planck: comLinkedIn: Leandro DalleMuleLearn how AI is driving practical innovation in underwriting. Donât forget to subscribe for future episodes.
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How can insurers deliver frictionless experiences using technology? This episode features Dennis Ellis, General Manager of Insurance at Credit Karma, discussing how his team integrates credit and behavioral data to simplify insurance processes.
Dennis explores Credit Karmaâs focus on creating seamless user experiences and overcoming integration challenges in the insurance industry.
Key Insights:
Creating frictionless insurance experiences through technology.Leveraging credit and behavioral data to connect insurance opportunities.Building awareness for insurance offerings post-acquisition.Featured Conversations:
[01:50] Transitioning from Zendrive to Credit Karma.[09:22] Making insurance experiences frictionless.[23:01] Connecting credit data with insurance opportunities.Notable Quote: "What we focus on in all of our products, but in insurance especially, is how do we create a marketplace that allows people to have kind of frictionless certainty?" â Dennis Ellis
Resources:
Credit Karma: com/insuranceLinkedIn: Dennis EllisDiscover how Credit Karma is revolutionizing insurance experiences. Donât forget to subscribe for future episodes.
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How can AI enhance claims processing while maintaining the human element? This episode features Sean Merat, CEO of Owl.co, exploring the transformative potential of AI in claims management.
Sean explains how Owl.coâs AI-powered solutions reduce mundane tasks, enabling claims professionals to focus on high-value decisions while ensuring compliance and ethical considerations.
Key Insights:
coâs approach to claims insights and automation.The importance of balancing automation with human judgment.Addressing compliance and ethical considerations in claims data.Featured Conversations:
[01:50] Seanâs journey into insurance technology.[03:34] Maintaining the human element in AI-driven decisions.[05:46] Ensuring compliance and ethical standards in claims processing.Notable Quote: "Even though we're an AI company, we think that AI should be working on mundane aspects of day-to-day lives, but the decisioning should always be on the human." â Sean Merat
Resources:
co: owl.coLinkedIn: Sean MeratExplore how AI is reshaping claims management with Owl.co. Donât forget to subscribe for future episodes.
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How can technology simplify small commercial insurance delivery? This episode features David McFarland, CEO of Coterie, exploring how his team leverages technology to eliminate inefficiencies and empower distribution partners.
David shares insights into creating âstupidly easyâ solutions for small businesses, navigating the MGA market, and building strong relationships with reinsurers.
Key Insights:
Simplifying small commercial insurance with accessible technology.Evolution and future of the MGA market.Practical applications of AI to streamline insurance operations.Featured Conversations:
[02:00] From actuarial insights to identifying market opportunities.[19:29] Making insurance operations âstupidly easy.â[27:28] Navigating reinsurance relationships and capital requirements.Notable Quote: "We seek to make life easy for our distribution partners... we really strive to make it stupidly easy to get a BOP, GL, miscellaneous professional liability for that small business owner." â David McFarland
Resources:
Coterie: comLinkedIn: David McFarlandDiscover how Coterie is revolutionizing small commercial insurance. Donât forget to subscribe for future episodes.
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How can automation address the insurance industryâs biggest operational burdens? This episode features Carl ZiadĂ©, Co-Founder of Gaya, discussing how his company tackles inefficiencies like data entry while maintaining the human element in automated processes.
Carl shares Gayaâs innovative approach to leveraging APIs and agent input to create scalable, user-friendly solutions.
Key Insights:
Addressing operational inefficiencies through sustainable automation.Importance of integrating technology with existing workflows.The role of AI in improving customer service operations.Featured Conversations:
[02:33] Journey from Stanford Business School to insurance automation.[05:38] Solving the industryâs biggest pain points with âsuper copy, super paste.â[28:53] Maintaining the human element in automated processes.Notable Quote: "Data entry is the single biggest pain point this industry is struggling with... We need to get out of it." â Carl ZiadĂ©
Resources:
Gaya: comLinkedIn: Carl ZiadĂ©Learn how Gaya is streamlining insurance processes through innovation. Donât forget to subscribe for future episodes.
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In this episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, recorded live at the InsureTech Connect (ITC) conference, host Josh Hollander sits down with Bobbie Shrivastav and Renu Ann Joseph to discuss the launch of their groundbreaking book series, Momentum. The first book, Makers and Builders Edition, showcases ten unfiltered stories from women making waves in insurtech, from bootstrapped founders to venture-backed entrepreneurs.
Through personal narratives and powerful imagery, this series documents the journeys of women founders who are reshaping the industry's future, addressing the stark reality of the 2% venture capital funding gap, and creating pathways for the next generation of female innovators.
Key Insights:
Overview of the "Momentum" book series and its mission to amplify women's voices in insurtechUnique structured-yet-unfiltered approach to sharing founders' experiencesStrategic use of visual storytelling to make complex industry narratives accessibleCelebration of diverse paths to success, from bootstrapped to venture-backed foundersImpact of representation on inspiring young girls in tech and insurancePersonal stories of resilience, including cancer survivors and industry pioneersBuilding a supportive ecosystem for women in insurtechPower of physical printed books in creating lasting impact and inspirationPlans for future editions focusing on resilience, leadership, and Gen Z innovatorsKey Topics Covered:
- [00:10] Introduction to Momentum and its mission
- [01:09] Inspirational stories and unfiltered narratives
- [02:44] Unique storytelling format combining photos and personal stories
- [03:33] Launch experience and community support
- [04:27] Impact of physical books on next generation
- [06:08] Diverse founder journeys and paths to success
- [08:59] Breaking through industry barriers and challenges
- [10:08] Venture funding gaps and alternative success metrics
- [11:18] Future plans for amplifying more voices
- [13:33] Maintaining authenticity in storytelling
Notable Quotes:
"My daughter was telling me, 'How many books did you print?' I said, '150.' She asked, 'Can I be the 150th person to receive the book?' She's nine, and she's truly been my inspiration for my startups." - [03:33] - Bobbie
"There is a background on their own personal journey. How did they grow up? Why did they fall into insurance? How did they pick the ideas they worked on, and what are the barriers? It's very, very personal." - [06:08] - Renu
"One of them said, 'I did it,' because she almost backed out of writing her story, thinking she wasn't there yet. I told her, 'Your story needs to be told. You will get there.'" - [10:01] - Bobbie
"Many of these women have great businesses without taking a single penny of investor money. For me, that is a success story." - [11:11] - Renu
About Our Guests:
Bobbie Shrivastav is a dynamic leader in the insurance and technology sectors, strongly focusing on promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry. As co-founder of Momentum, a groundbreaking book series, she works to amplify the voices of women, founders, and innovators shaping the future of insurtech. Through her work, Bobbie is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of leaders, advocating for resilience, creativity, and leadership in insurance and technology.
Dr. Renu Ann Joseph is a passionate advocate for diversity and innovation in the insurance and technology sectors. As co-founder of Momentum, a transformative book series, she amplifies the stories of women, founders, and industry leaders shaping the future of insurtech. Renuâs commitment to leadership, resilience, and creativity drives her work to inspire future generations and break barriers for underrepresented voices in the tech and insurance fields.
Resources:
Bobbie Shrivastavhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbieshrivastav/https://beacons.ai/bshrivastavhttps://themomentumbook.com/Renu Ann Joseph
https://www.linkedin.com/in/renu-ann-joseph-changemaker1/https://themomentumbook.com/Josh Hollander
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/https://www.horton-usa.com/https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/?viewAsMember=true https://www.insurtechassociation.org/ https://innsure.org/Mentioned
Momentum: Makers and Builders -
Is voice analytics the next frontier in insurance risk assessment and fraud detection? How can military-grade technology transform insurance operations? In this episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, host Joshua R. Hollander sits down with Manjit Rana, Executive VP for UK, EMEA & APAC at ClearSpeed, to explore how their innovative voice analytics technology is revolutionizing risk assessment across multiple industries.
Key Insights:
How ClearSpeed's military-derived voice analytics technology identifies risk in vocal responsesStrategies for implementing new technology in the insurance industryThe importance of attracting fresh talent to insurance through innovationWhy disruption in insurance is likely to come from outside the industryThe role of data ownership in future insurance modelsManjit shares ClearSpeed's journey from military applications to insurance, offering valuable insights into their go to-market strategy and the challenges of introducing innovative technology to a traditionally conservative industry. The episode also examines how non-insurance sectors could potentially disrupt the insurance landscape through unique data assets and customer relationships
In This Episode:
[01:11] Career journey and transition to ClearSpeed
[04:34] Explanation of ClearSpeed's voice analytics technology
[12:03] Discussion of risk scoring and comparison to FICO scores
[16:04] Implementation strategies and use cases
[21:12] Go-to-market approach and creating FOMO in the marketplace
[25:31] Addressing industry objections and concerns
[30:27] Examples of industry disruption from outside players
[36:28] Attracting talent to the insurance industry
[38:34] The difference between digitization and true innovation
Notable Quotes:
"I honestly believe a few years down the line, this is going to be as common as a credit score. Now you're applying for a job and people are going to say, have you had a ClearSpeed test?" - [11:27] Manjit Rana
"If three of them manage to solve that problem or reduce that fraud, those fraudsters are not going away. They're just going to move to the other seven. If those other seven were already drowning anyway, this is just going to push them over the edge." - [24:39] Manjit Rana
"We don't promote that enough. We don't make insurance sound interesting and sexy enough to that next generation of smart talent, which we're absolutely going to need if we want this industry to stay relevant." - [37:04] Manjit Rana
About Our Guest:
Manjit Rana is the Executive VP for UK, EMEA & APAC at ClearSpeed, a company specializing in voice analytics technology for risk assessment. With over 13 years of experience as an InsurTech and Insurance Innovation thought leader, Manjit brings a unique perspective from working across multiple industries and roles, including technology companies, insurance carriers, and consultancy. He is also the Co-Founder of Synapse Ecosystems and serves as an advisor to various InsurTech companies
Resources:
Manjit Rana
https://www.linkedin.com/in/manjit-rana/ClearSpeed
https://www.clearspeed.com/Josh Hollander
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/https://www.horton-usa.com/https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/?viewAsMember=true https://www.insurtechassociation.org/ https://innsure.org/ -
Fresh from InsurTech Connect 2024, where the industry gathered to discuss insurance innovation's past, present, and future, host Joshua R. Hollander brings you a special episode revisiting our three most downloaded episodes of the last year:
Tom Wilde, CEO of Indico - At the forefront of bringing AI and automation to insurance workflowsBhavan Suri, Managing Director, Technology at William Blair - A leading investment banker tracking where money is flowing in insurtechMichael Nadel, Senior Director at Simon-Kutcher & Partners - A strategic consultant helping companies price and scale their solutionsWhile these leaders view the industry through different lenses, they align on several key points:
Insurance is only in the "third inning" of digital transformationData is becoming the key differentiator in insurance, but most companies struggle to utilize it effectivelyThe industry needs to balance innovation with practical implementationThey also offer contrasting perspectives on critical issues:
The readiness of AI for insurance (Wilde argues it's ready now, while others suggest a more measured approach)The future of insurance distribution (differing views on the role of traditional channels versus digital-first approaches)How to prioritize innovation investments (varying perspectives on what should come first: customer experience, middle office, or core systems)Key Insights:The evolution of AI in insurance, from mobile transformation to middle-office automationThe role of deep learning and large language models in handling unstructured dataChallenges in integrating new technologies into legacy systems and how to overcome themThe importance of pricing strategy and market entry for insurtech startupsThe intersection of Insurtech and Fintech: automating payments, claims processing, and beyondThe role of data in shaping the future of cyber insurance and climate risk managementKey Topics Covered:[00:05] Intelligent intake challenges in insurance operations [03:42] Evolution from PDF scraping to AI-driven processing [07:12] The role of generative AI in insurance [10:18] Investment trends in insurtech [14:08] Insurtech-fintech convergence [15:21] Data's role in new insurance products [17:03] Tech-enabled MGAs and market evolution [18:40] State of insurance digitization [21:06] Growth strategy pillars [23:03] Insurance pricing considerations [27:07] Market entry strategies Notable Quotes:"In insurance, data has always been king. But today, the challenge is turning unstructured data into fuel for decision-making." - Tom Wilde"The big breakthrough in AI is its ability to handle context. That's why large language models are changing the game." - Tom Wilde"I think by and large, digitization is still in the third inning for most carriers... When you get to life with annuities, that's probably first inning in terms of actual digitization." - Bhavan Suri"Weâre just starting to see the convergence of Insurtech and Fintech, especially in areas like payments and claims automation." - Bhavan Suri "Pricing is really just a measure of value, the same way that a foot is a measure of distance. When you're pricing your products, it's really all about what the customer values in this product and matching that value to the price relationship." - Michael Nadel"If you're leaving pricing to chance, you're leaving money on the table." - Michael NadelAbout Our Guests:Tom Wilde: CEO of Indico, Tom has over 25 years of experience in solving complex digital content problems and is an expert in applying AI and machine learning to insurance workflows.
Bhavan Suri: Managing Director at William Blair, Suri focuses on technology companies operating in the insurtech space, advising them on mergers, acquisitions, and public offerings.
Michael Nadel: Senior Director at Simon-Kutcher & Partners. Michael specializes in growth strategies and pricing for insurance carriers and insurtech firms.
Resources:Tom Wilde
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomwilde/https://www.linkedin.com/company/indico-data-solutions/Suri Bhavan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavan-suri-074113/https://www.linkedin.com/company/william-blair-company/Michael Nadel
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-nadel-13656123/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/simon-kucher/Josh Hollander
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/https://www.horton-usa.com/https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/https://www.insurtechassociation.org/https://innsure.org/ -
In this episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, host Josh Hollander sits down with Bill Harris, Co-Founder and Chief Customer Officer of ITC Vegas, to discuss how the event has evolved to support the continued growth and development of the InsurTech industry. With the 2024 event just around the corner, Bill shares exclusive insights into what makes ITC Vegas a must-attend experience and why those still contemplating attending should register for the 2024 event.
Key Insights:
How ITC Vegas has transformed from a startup-focused event to the "CES of Insurance"The introduction of curated "neighborhoods" to enhance networking and discoveryNew additions like ITC Agents, and the importance of the broker and agent role despite predictions of disintermediationThe influence of AI across insurance, from underwriting to customer experienceHow the shift in climate risks, particularly the impact of water-related events, is reshaping the industryA changing talent landscape: the rise of Gen Z and more diverse leadershipStrategies for maximizing your ITC Vegas experience, whether you're a first-timer or a veteran attendeeKey Topics Covered:
[00:15] Introduction to Bill Harris and ITC Vegas[02:49] What's new at ITC Vegas 2024: Cosmic theme and curated experiences[05:19] Evolution of networking opportunities at ITC Vegas[10:05] Growth and diversification of sponsorships and attendees[19:53] Tips for getting the most out of ITC Vegas (especially for first-timers)[32:50] Key industry trends shaping InsurTech's future[36:25] Adapting the event for younger generations in insuranceNotable Quotes:
"We think of ourselves as the CES of insurance. We're here to explore innovation and create real value for the ecosystem." - [03:26] Bill Harris"AI dominates every conversation, from the front end of underwriting to the back end of claims." - [32:50] Bill Harris"The broker or the agent is really a key part of that selling process, that education process of insurance and how important it is to understand this is why your premium is what it is." - [42:30] Bill Harris âMost of these weather events are now driven by water. And it's a completely different ballgame when you're talking about wind and fire versus water." - [41:33] Bill Harris"Gen X, because we're such a small cohort of the workplace, we're being quickly replaced by millennials. And now you see the up and coming Gen Zs." - [43:34] Bill HarrisAbout Our Guest:
Bill Harris is the Co-Founder and Chief Customer Officer of ITC Vegas, known for hosting one of the largest Insurtech events in the world. With a unique background spanning digital marketing and event management, Bill has been instrumental in growing ITC Vegas from a startup-focused gathering to the world's largest InsurTech event and creating valuable opportunities for the community to connect, innovate, and grow.
Resources:
Bill Harris
https://www.linkedin.com/in/billharris3ubiq/https://vegas.insuretechconnect.com/register/ (Registration Still Open!)https://vegas.insuretechconnect.com/app/ (Event App)Josh Hollander
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/https://www.horton-usa.com/https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/https://www.insurtechassociation.org/https://innsure.org/ -
In this episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, host Josh Hollander sits down with Sachin Kulkarni, EVP and Head of Americas for Commercial, Specialty, and MGA at Xceedance. With a unique background that spans from IT strategy at Marsh to leading operations at a fast-growing insurance technology services provider, Sachin offers invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of insurance technology and operations.
Sachin discusses Xceedance's journey as a domain-focused service provider, emphasizing the critical balance between technological innovation and core insurance expertise. He shares candid perspectives on the challenges of change management in the insurance industry and provides strategic advice for companies looking to leverage technology for competitive advantage.
Key Insights:
The shift from people-based to technology-led engagements in insurance operationsStrategies for aligning technology adoption with core business capabilitiesThe rise of MGAs and specialty insurers, and how technology is enabling their growthBalancing onshore and offshore operations to maximize efficiency and client satisfactionThe future of AI in insurance, including responsible implementation and regulatory considerationsKey Topics Covered:
[00:41] Xceedance's foundation as a service provider and Sachin's career evolution from Marsh to insurtech leadership [03:11] Debunking the myth of insurance industry's resistance to innovation [07:25] Ensuring technology solutions drive real business value, not just novelty [13:42] Market segments leading and lagging in technology adoption [18:03] How Xceedance supports insurers at various stages of growth [21:38] Practical applications of Gen AI in insurance operations [23:04] Navigating the complexities of AI regulation and responsible implementation [25:31] Lessons learned in expanding from India to the US insurance market [30:50] Advice for capitalizing on industry changes and overcoming challengesNotable Quotes:
"We didn't want it to be a people-based engagement, but we wanted to be a technology-led engagement." - [04:06] Sachin Kulkarni "Technology is enabling business, enabling the insurance process. It is not the business process." - [07:36] Sachin Kulkarni "If a company does not take a step back and see how this change is being incorporated, very soon there can be no value coming out of it." - [06:15] Sachin KulkarniAbout Our Guest:
Sachin Kulkarni is the EVP and Head of Americas for Commercial, Specialty, and MGA at Xceedance. With a background in IT strategy at Marsh and extensive experience in Property and Casualty Insurance, Sachin brings a unique perspective on leveraging technology to enhance productivity and drive innovation in the insurance industry.
Resources:
Sachin Kulkarnihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/itexecutivesachinkulkarni/https://xceedance.com/Josh Hollander
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/https://www.horton-usa.com/https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/?viewAsMember=truehttps://www.insurtechassociation.org/https://innsure.org/ -
In this episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, host Joshua R. Hollander sits down with Roman Stepanenko, founder and CEO of RecordLinker, to explore the often-overlooked world of insurance data management. Roman shares his journey from writing software at age 13 to co-founding RiskMatch, and how that experience shaped his vision for RecordLinker.
Discover how RecordLinker is addressing critical challenges in the insurance industry by focusing on the unsung heroes of data management - the data administrators. Roman shares how his time as CTO at RiskMatch provided a window into the complexities of insurance data aggregation and led Roman to identify a critical gap in the market - the need for specialized tools for data administrators. Roman also provides insights into the complexities of data standardization, the impact of mergers and acquisitions on data integrity, and the future of AI and machine learning in insurance.
Key Insights:
How Roman's experience at RiskMatch revealed the widespread data standardization issues in the insurance industryThe critical role of data administrators in insurance and why they deserve more recognitionHow RecordLinker is transforming data management, cutting conversion times from weeks to hoursThe challenges of bootstrapping an insurtech startup and building a sustainable businessThe future of AI and machine learning in insurance and why basic functionality improvements may be more crucial than advanced AI applicationsIn This Episode:
[01:01] Roman's journey from software development to co-founding RiskMatch[01:30] The birth of RecordLinker: Lessons learned from RiskMatch [06:13] The hidden world of insurance data administrators and their challenges [10:15] RecordLinker's unique approach to sales and customer acquisition [18:43] Common data issues across agencies[23:25] The challenges of bootstrapping versus raising money for a startup[25:18] Roman shares what he looks for in candidates beyond technical skills[26:10] The impact of being a solo founder vs. a co-founder in the insurtech space [28:32] The future of technology in insurance and the need for core system vendors to open up their platforms [29:20] A shocking revelation: 800 variations of a single insurance company name in one databaseNotable Quotes:
"If you remember anything from this conversation, please find your data admins and just say thank you. You know, say thank you. Take them out to coffee or dinner, buy them flowers, because your organization has those people and they are very hardworking." - [08:37] Roman StepanenkoâI wanted to build a business, not a startup. To me, being a startup was a way of building a business from day one. My focus was being a business that can support itself first and foremost.." - [21:07] Roman Stepanenko"The attitude is, to me, the most important thing. You can learn new technology, but I just don't know if the person will work out well or not, even if I feel good after the interview" - [25:19] Roman StepanenkoâWhen you are a solo founder, you have to know before you do that you are going to be the one driving the truck and figuring out how to keep track inside the truck.â- [26:10] Roman StepanenkoAbout Our Guest:Roman Stepanenko is the founder and CEO of RecordLinker, a leading machine-learning solution for seamless data linkage and conversion in the insurance industry. With a background in software development and experience as a co-founder and CTO at RiskMatch, Roman brings a unique perspective to the challenges of data management in insurance. RecordLinker simplifies record matching across disparate systems, normalizing various data types such as coverage and job titles. By integrating with AMS360 and Applied Epic, it auto-maps up to 90% of records, significantly reducing data conversion timelines. A Vertafore Orange Partner and Guidewire Insurtech Vanguards Member, RecordLinker supports diverse industries beyond insurance.
Resources:
Roman Stepanenkohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/romanstepanenko/https://recordlinker.com/Josh Hollander
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/https://www.horton-usa.com/https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/?viewAsMember=truehttps://www.insurtechassociation.org/https://innsure.org/ -
How can UK insurtech companies successfully enter the complex US insurance market? In this episode, we explore the CT-UK Insurtech Corridor through the journey of Programmable.AI, showcasing how this initiative creates pathways for international growth and innovation.
Host Joshua R. Hollander brings together John Blamire, CEO and co-founder of Programmable.AI; Mike Hendy from the UK Office of Business and Trade; and Gene Goddard from MetroHartford Alliance and the CT IFS. They discuss how the Corridor is bridging the insurance technology landscapes of Connecticut and the UK, fostering transatlantic opportunities for insurtech companies.
Key Insights:
Programmable.AI's journey from the UK to Connecticut's insurance hubFocus on the Insurtech Corridor as a strategic initiative for innovation and growthThe role of the CT-UK InsurTech Corridor in facilitating market entryChallenges faced by UK companies entering the US insurance market, including regulatory complexitiesSupport provided by MetroHartford Alliance, CT IFS and the UK Office of Business and TradeImportance of tailored strategies and partnerships for successful market entry.How Connecticut-based companies can leverage the Corridor for UK expansionDiscussion of risk analytics and fraud detection technology in the insurance industry.Emphasis on the significance of collaboration among startups, established companies, and government entities.Key Topics Covered:
[01:57] Programmable.AI's risk analytics and fraud detection technology[05:41] Challenges in insurance industry[10:16] MetroHartford Alliance's role in supporting incoming companies[12:06] Insurtech Corridor strategy[14:00] UK Trade Office's assistance for UK companies expanding to the US[16:24] Benefits of the InsurTech Corridor for companies[19:13] Regulatory environment challenges[20:17] John's firsthand experience navigating the US market entry[25:38] Bespoke services provided by MetroHartford Alliance[26:25] CT IFS initiative[29:06] Regulatory advantages in Connecticut for insurtech companies[31:00] Opportunities for Connecticut insurers in the UK market[33:24] Programmable.AI's progress and future plans in the USNotable Quotes:
âAs a small British company, entering the US is not for the faint-hearted, and if you don't prepare properly, you prepare to fail. The InsurTech Corridor provided us with invaluable support and connections.â - [19:28] - John BlamireâOur partnership with the companies that are in the IFS space, in the tech space, is to help attract new talent into our great state and into the Hartford region.â[13:26] ] - Gene GoddardâThe Insurtech Corridor was a very logical agreement between the UK and Hartford, Connecticut, because Hartford is the self-styled capital of the US insurance industry, and London is the capital of the insurance world.â - [14:57] - Michael HendyâI think they're very lucky to have Gene and Susan in MetroHartford Alliance and all of their members. It's a really interesting partnership and I think it's very, very successful.â - [19:48] Michael HendyâWe want to see more Insurtech startups coming into the corridor because the more startups that come, the more the ecosystem builds, the more power it has, and the better we can actually help each other.â - [34:00] - John BlamireAbout Our Guests:
John Blamire: CEO and co-founder of Programmable.AI, a company specializing in risk analytics and fraud detection in the insurance sector.
Mike Hendy: Senior Trade and Investment Officer for the UK Office of Business and Trade, focusing on supporting UK companies' expansion into the US market.
Gene Goddard: Chief Business Investment Officer for MetroHartford Alliance, dedicated to promoting economic development in the Hartford region.
Resources:
InsurTech Corridor
https://www.insurtechcorridor.com/John Blamire
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-blamire/https://www.fraudgraph.ai/Gene Goddard
https://www.linkedin.com/in/genegoddard/https://metrohartford.com/https://connecticutifs.com/Michael Hendy
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikehendy/https://www.flowcode.com/page/ukinbostonJosh Hollander
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/https://www.horton-usa.com/https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/?viewAsMember=truehttps://www.insurtechassociation.org/https://innsure.org/ -
In a world where technology drives daily innovations in industries from travel to health care to manufacturing, why should insurance be any different? How can innovators and insurers collaborate to create meaningful, sustainable change?
In this episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, host Josh Hollander sits down with Stephen Brittain, Director and Co-founder of Insurtech Gateway, to explore their unique approach to incubating and investing in early-stage insurtech startups. Stephen, with his product design background and entrepreneurial spirit, offers valuable insights into the intricacies of nurturing innovation in an industry known for its caution.
Based in London and Sydney, Insurtech Gateway is an incubator and venture builder dedicated to supporting early-stage founders in refining their business models, achieving product-market fit, and navigating the complexities of distribution. They also manage a series of early-stage venture funds to facilitate this journey.
Key Insights:
The distinction between Insurtech Gateway's incubator model and traditional acceleratorsBalancing rapid innovation with the measured pace of the insurance industryHow non-insurance sectors are driving change in risk management and insuranceStrategies for founders to validate ideas and gain traction in the insurtech spaceStephen shares Insurtech Gateway's journey from its founding in 2016 to its current role in nurturing startups and building a resilient insurtech ecosystem. He offers a candid look at the challenges of introducing disruptive ideas to a risk-averse industry and the strategies they've developed to bridge that gap. The episode also examines how a strong product background influences InsurTech Gateway's methodology.
In this Episode:
[00:34] Insurtech Gateway's mission and unique position in the market[02:37] The origins of the incubator and its evolution[05:34] Insurtech Gateway's bespoke collaboration strategy with startups[12:31] Examples of successful portfolio companies (e.g., Flood Flash)[19:37] How Stephen's product background influences their approach[21:31] Changes in the insurance industry since 2016 and ongoing challenges[25:08] The role of innovation partners from outside the insurance market[33:35] Strategies for working with both insurers and non-insurance partners[37:05] Emerging trends in corporate risk management and self-insurance[40:50] Opportunities for listeners to engage with Insurtech GatewayNotable Quotes:
"We saw the speed of innovation and change of digital, and we were seeing the lack of agility in the insurance market. The first thing we should do would be to find a place to attract those innovators from outside." - Stephen Brittainâ'The hardest thing to swallow for me has been the indicators that I get early and get super excited about, but I'm still five years ahead of the decision-makers who are going to make this happenâ - Stephen BrittainâThe last eight years have been a huge growing up exercise for me, making me realize quite what a battle I've been trying to fight over attracting disruptors and then settling disruption into the big scale of insuranceâ - Stephen BrittainAbout Our Guest:
Stephen Brittain is the Director and Co-Founder of Insurtech Gateway. With a background in product design and innovation, Stephen brings a unique perspective to the insurtech space. He has been instrumental in shaping Insurtech Gateway's approach to identifying, nurturing, and scaling early-stage insurtech startups. Stephen's experience spans from creative direction at Hambro Perks to supporting numerous startups through early-stage development and testing.
Resources:
Stephen Brittainhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbrittain/https://www.insurtechgateway.com/Josh Hollander
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/https://www.horton-usa.com/https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-showhttps://www.insurtechassociation.org/https://innsure.org/ - Laat meer zien
