The Leadership in Insurance Podcast - Insurtech & Innovation

The latest edition of The Leadership in Insurance Podcast, features Alex Bond in conversation with Tony Lew, co-founder of Insurtech New York, in an insightful conversation about the future of insurance technology and the critical role of human engagement in an AI-driven industry.Key highlights from this episode:🔹 The Human Side of Insurance - Tony discusses why Insurtech New York's 2026 conference theme focuses on ensuring technology augments rather than replaces human interaction across the insurance value chain🔹 Insurtech New York's Ecosystem - Learn about their multifaceted approach including a 1,000-person annual conference, corporate innovation programs, MGA accelerator, and venture capital fund🔹 Conference Strategy - Why they've deliberately maintained a 1,000-person limit to balance attracting key industry leaders while enabling meaningful networking opportunities🔹 Investment Success - Tony shares insights on their VC fund's impressive 21% IRR and approach to backing insurance innovation🔹 Humanity in the Loop - A thought-provoking discussion on addressing industry fears about AI job displacement and the importance of human involvement in technology deployment and decision-makingThe conversation offers valuable perspectives for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, investment, and insurance innovation.Mark your calendars: The Insurtech New York Conference takes place March 30-31 in New York, featuring dual tracks for P&C and life/health insurance, CEO panels, and startup pitch competitions.Listen now to gain insights on staying relevant in a rapidly evolving industry. 🎧#InsurancePodcast #Insurtech #InsuranceInnovation #LeadershipInInsurance #VentureCapital #InsuranceIndustry

In the latest episode, Alex sits down with Josh Levine, founder and CEO of Cake and Arrow, a design and product innovation firm specializing in the insurance industry. They explore what's really broken in insurance user experience - and how the industry can fix it.Drawing on Cake and Arrow's own research into Gen Z attitudes, the conversation reveals critical insights for the industry's future.Key Takeaways:Gen Z sees insurance as out of sync with reality – They still want stability, but view traditional paths as broken, leading them to create workarounds like emergency funds and side hustles rather than using conventional insurance productsInternal UX is the new battleground – The focus has shifted from customer-facing platforms to redesigning critical internal tools like underwriting workbenches and agent portals, because better employee experience drives better customer outcomesInsurance has a perception problem with talent – Only 13% of Gen Z are in career roles within the industry, despite insurance offering faster career advancement than many realizeAI is creating an opportunity – As AI reshapes employee experience, there's a chance to make insurance work more engaging and attract the next generation of talent through flexibility, dynamic career paths, and clearer purposeA must-listen for anyone thinking about digital transformation, employee experience, or how to build products that meet people where they actually are.

In the latest episode of The Leadership in Insurance podcast, host Alex Bond sits down with Rob Lewis, CEO of INTX Insurance Software, to discuss why the insurance industry's fragmented software landscape is holding back its AI potential - and what it takes to fix it.Rob's journey from launching an online stockbroker in South Africa to acquiring an insurance carrier in Mozambique led him to build INTX: an integrated software solution designed to cover the entire policy lifecycle. Now, he's bringing that vision to the US market, where 55% of insurance professionals still rely on Excel as their primary system.Key highlights from the conversation:Why insurance is "perfectly suited to AI" but "least prepared for it"—and how legacy systems are the bottleneckThe case for incremental gains over revolution: how a 5% improvement in core ratios can transform carrier economicsUS vs. London market dynamics: the tension between data-driven underwriting and the irreplaceable value of underwriter intuitionThe Excel problem: why half the US insurance industry still operates on spreadsheets, and what it takes to transition them to modern platformsINTX's US expansion: from 5 clients signed in 2025 to an ambitious goal of 25 by the end of 2026, including a Tier 1 carrierRob makes a compelling case that the industry doesn't need revolutionary products—it needs solid operational foundations that can unlock the next wave of innovation.

In the latest episode of the Leadership in Insurance Podcast, host Alex Bond sits down with Max Bruner, CEO of Anzen Insurance, to explore how the company has evolved since its 2021 founding into a tech-enabled wholesale broker using AI to transform insurance distribution.Episode Highlights:From Hype to Reality - Max discusses how the industry has moved past chatbot buzz to focus on enterprise AI applications that genuinely enhance vertical software capabilitiesWorkflow Revolution - Anzen's AI-powered software is delivering significant time savings and improved resource utilization across the entire insurance process - from submit to renewBridge Building - Max emphasizes the importance of connecting technologists with insurance experts to create solutions that actually work$16M Funding Round - Max shares insights from Anzen's October raise, discussing the challenges of executing during a period when the market was less receptive to AI in insurance compared to other sectorsSoftware Success - The company is now selling its licensed software to agency partners and the broader industry, developed by their 'small but mighty' engineering teamCEO-Level Priority - Technology adoption is no longer just operational; it's fundamental to competitiveness, talent attraction, and customer service delivery2026 Vision - Optimistic growth plans ahead, particularly around partnerships in the financial infrastructure spaceMax's journey from direct broker to wholesale broker, while developing licensed software that's now being sold to agency partners, demonstrates what's possible when innovation meets deep industry expertise.

We're thrilled to launch the new year with an incredible episode of the Leadership in Insurance Podcast featuring host Alex Bond in conversation with Tiago Prado, founder of BRZ Insurance (acquired by Troop Gordier in 2025) and current CEO of Altoia.From High School Dropout to Insurance InnovatorTiago's journey is nothing short of remarkable. From accidentally landing in insurance to building and successfully exiting BRZ Insurance, his story is packed with valuable lessons about persistence, strategic thinking, and understanding what truly drives business growth.What You'll Discover in This Episode:Building for Exit - How Tiago transformed his approach from running an agency to creating a sellable business with recurring revenueThe Infrastructure Gap - Why recruiting, training, retention, and financial management remain the biggest challenges for P&C insurance agenciesThe Birth of Altoia - How growing BRZ by 500% during COVID revealed systemic inefficiencies that inspired his next ventureAI's Real Impact - Tiago's perspective on how artificial intelligence is reshaping success in insurance: "Your role won't be replaced with AI; it will be enhanced by it"2026 Vision - His ambitious plans to provide clarity, capital, and control to insurance agencies through better financial infrastructureThe Bottom LineTiago believes that accurate financial data and KPIs aren't just nice-to-haves—they're essential for accessing growth capital and making informed decisions. His work with Altoia aims to solve the problems that banks and traditional systems have failed to address in underwriting insurance agencies.Ready to start the year with fresh insights? This episode is essential listening for agency owners, insurance leaders, and anyone looking to understand where the industry is headed.

The latest episode of the Leadership Insurance Podcast features Matt Connolly, founder and CEO of Sonr, making his third appearance on the show as part of host Alex Bond's end-of-year review series.Key takeaways from this episode:🔄 Innovation is Decentralizing Matt talks about seeing a fundamental shift across Sonr's global carrier clients, moving from central innovation teams to operational functions like claims owning their transformation. 📈 2025: The Comeback Year After some tough years, capital is flowing back into InsurTech, IPOs are re-emerging, and the market is maturing with a more pragmatic approach to tech adoption. Sonr’s Record growth in 2025 Matt thinks it’s down to market appetite for understanding the tech and innovation landscape. 🎯 Horizon One Focus Matt’s take on 2025 as being mostly about "horizon one":  applying technology to level up core business operationsAI innovationAI is enabling previously unprofitable micro-insurance and niche products to become commercially viable and changing what's possible.🌍 Global Learning Matters From micro-insurance in Africa to climate resilience solutions, there's incredible value in looking beyond domestic borders and industries for innovation insights.🚀 Looking Ahead to 2026 As Sonr approaches its 10-year anniversary, it’s refreshing to hear Matt share his honest reflections on building in insurance, describing Sonr as a "10-year overnight success" that's been "like pushing water up a hill" - a reality many founders will recognize.Also, exciting to hear Matt talk about Sonr’s version 2.0 launch in January - an AI-powered platform democratizing market intelligence across the insurance ecosystem.

In the latest episode of the Leadership in Insurance podcast, host Alex Bond sat down with Joe Zuk, Operating Partner at Altamont Capital Partners, for an insightful year-in-review discussion that captures the key moments in 2025.Key themes explored:Market Transitions and 2025 Dynamics The conversation examines 2025 as a transitional year marked by shifts from hard to soft market conditions, the impact of the California wildfires, degradation in pricing following quiet catastrophe years, and a slowdown in private equity multiples.Technology Reshaping Business Models Joe and Alex explore how AI and technology are enabling lean, efficient operations: from small teams managing large businesses to the emergence of one-person MGA models and modular, bespoke insurance solutions. The discussion highlights technology not as human versus machine, but as a tool allowing individuals and businesses to accomplish more.The Relationship vs. Automation Debate A thought-provoking examination of whether the future lies in self-service models or premium, high-touch experiences, and how the industry can maintain personalization and interpersonal connections as automation increases.Innovation and Regulatory Evolution The episode also explores opportunities for micro-insurance products, and the critical need for regulatory adaptation to support entrepreneurial innovation in the sector.Looking Ahead to 2026 Joe predicts a year of micro-cycles with pockets of hard and soft markets, increased Insurtech and FinTech involvement, and greater investment in technology for data capture and utilization—all while preserving the industry's core strength: human relationships.Listen now for essential insights on navigating the rapidly evolving Insurance landscape.

Don't miss this insightful conversation between Alex Bond and Bryan Falchuk on The Leadership in Insurance Podcast, for the second in our series reflecting on 2025. With 25 years of industry experience, Bryan shares his optimistic outlook on where insurance is headed.Key Takeaways:💰 Smarter Capital, Stronger Companies The shift from easy funding to disciplined investment is transforming the industry. Bryan points out that tighter funding conditions now promote better business practices and long-term sustainability. The result? More resilient companies built for the long haul.🤖 AI as Expertise Amplifier Bryan emphasises AI isn't just about efficiency: it's about elevating capabilities. AI's true potential lies in enhancing expertise in risk selection, pricing, and claims management. He highlights innovative solutions like Cytora and Kyber, demonstrating that targeted tech implementations often outperform wholesale overhauls.👥 The Human Element Remains Critical Despite technological advances, Bryan and Alex discuss that insurance remains fundamentally a high-touch business. Their biggest concern? Ensuring the industry doesn't lose the next generation of skilled professionals as AI handles routine tasks. Investment in training and reskilling isn't optional - it's essential.☁️ Strategic Infrastructure Matters Bryan emphasises that the move to cloud isn't just a technical decision- t's a strategic imperative that requires creative leadership and empowered teams to drive real change.A crucial insight from Bryan: "When money is tighter, people learn discipline." This principle applies not just to funding, but to how the industry approaches every investment- in technology, people, and the future.