The Insurtech Leadership Podcast

In this episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, host Joshua Hollander speaks with Ali Azhar, Chief Business Development Officer at Hover, a leading prop-tech and insurtech company leveraging advanced AI and 3D spatial data to streamline property assessments and claims processes. Ali shares his remarkable personal journey—from childhood entrepreneurial efforts driven by "altruistic capitalism" to founding and scaling tech companies, including ScholarshipExperts.com [http://scholarshipexperts.com/], and his pivot into software sales following an impactful business failure. His candid reflections offer valuable insights into resilience, reinvention, and leadership. Ali also explains Hover’s groundbreaking technology, initially developed from military-inspired photogrammetry, and details how contractors "Trojan-horsed" Hover into the insurance industry. With over 10 million properties modeled, Hover's innovative approach significantly improves accuracy, reduces manual errors, and supports digital transformation across insurance and construction. In This Episode: * [02:19] Ali’s entrepreneurial roots and how overcoming business failure led to career reinvention. * [11:33] Hover’s unique technology origin story and entry into the insurance market. * [20:37] Why user experience and adjuster adoption are central to Hover’s growth. * [22:40] Hover’s aggressive investment in innovation—allocating 50% of revenue to R&D. * [25:33] The evolution of Hover’s interior claims automation from challenging beginnings to industry-leading solution. * [29:39] Critical advice for insurtech startups: Be an innovation partner, not just a vendor. Notable Quotes: * “Insurance carriers are not technology businesses—they’re risk aversion experts. We have to meet them where they are.” [32:49] * “The thing that always helped separate me from anyone else was I was willing to do more than what was asked.” [00:08:55] * “Our bread and butter has been the exterior scoping solution. Over 10 years, we've modeled over 10 million properties.” [00:23:14] About Our Guest:   Ali Azhar is a sales and business development leader with a proven track record of driving exponential revenue growth at companies like HOVER, GoodData, and MongoDB. A serial entrepreneur, he co-founded ventures like ScholarshipExperts.com [http://scholarshipexperts.com/] and Velocity Athletics. Known for scaling teams, adding thousands of customers, and executing high-impact strategies, Ali combines hands-on startup experience with corporate leadership. He holds a degree in Management and Marketing from the University of North Florida and champions "altruistic capitalism" in business. Resources: Ali Azhar * https://www.linkedin.com/in/aazhar/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aazhar/] * https://hover.to/ [https://hover.to/] Josh Hollander * https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/] * https://www.horton-usa.com/ [https://www.horton-usa.com/] * https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/?viewAsMember=true [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/?viewAsMember=true] * https://www.insurtechassociation.org/ [https://www.insurtechassociation.org/] * https://innsure.org/ [https://innsure.org/]

What if insurance data weren’t just extracted—but earned? In this episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, host Josh Hollander sits down with Elan Nyer, CEO and Co-Founder of Ownli, to explore how policyholders can take control of their data and become active participants in the insurance value chain. Elan shares how Ownli enables consumers to share verified, first-party data—such as mileage, location, and vehicle condition—directly with insurers, creating a permissioned, transparent data marketplace. This shift not only improves underwriting and claims accuracy but also strengthens engagement between insurers and policyholders. The conversation also dives into AI-driven verification, flexible integration models, and the larger opportunity to serve untapped, non-telematics users. Elan’s vision turns traditional data collection on its head—empowering individuals to own, protect, and profit from their digital footprint. In This Episode: [00:59] Elan’s background in automotive data and connected mobility [03:01] The founding insight behind Ownli: data control and transparency [05:00] Verified use cases: mileage, parking location, and condition check-ins [09:35] Serving non-telematics users with valuable, self-reported insights [12:06] Verifying user-submitted data with AI and 11-layer model architecture [14:00] Ownli’s revenue-sharing model where users benefit from their data [16:30] Three integration paths: SDK, web portal, and standalone app [22:16] Building a verified “insurance profile” to streamline quoting and renewal [30:12] Regulatory challenges and advocating for individual data ownership   Notable Quotes: *  “If I had verified mileage and condition on my policy, my claim would have been resolved in 24 hours. Instead, it took months.” – Elan Nyer * “Your data is an asset—just like money in a bank. We’re building the platform to help you own it, protect it, and earn from it.” – Elan Nyer   Our Guest: Elan Nyer is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ownli, a platform that empowers consumers to share verified, first-party insurance data through a consent-first marketplace. Previously, he led teams at Mobileye and Nexar, focusing on automotive safety and connected vehicle intelligence.   Resources: * Elan Nyer – LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elan-nyer] | Ownli [https://www.ownli.com] * Josh Hollander – https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/] | Horton International [https://www.horton-usa.com/] | Insurtech Leadership Show [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/?viewAsMember=true]

In a world where digital transactions are the norm, why are many insurers still processing paper checks for claims settlements? In this episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, host Josh Hollander talks with Shannon Elsea, founder of Settlement Done Easy, about bringing a faster, more secure approach to third-party claims. Drawing on his 30 years as a personal injury attorney, Shannon highlights the inefficiencies of traditional check-based settlements and explains how digital solutions can help both insurers and legal professionals streamline the final steps of the claims process. They also explore how Settlement Done Easy bridges compliance and security requirements—like SOC 2 and NACHA—to address legal and ethical considerations. Shannon sheds light on what it takes to bootstrap a startup in insurance, the support he’s found in insurtech communities, and the potential to eventually offer same-day settlements.   In This Episode: * [00:10] Introduction to Shannon - Shannon’s background as a personal injury lawyer and why he built Settlement Done Easy to cut down on payment delays. * [00:49] The Real Cost of Paper Checks - Insight into why paper-based settlements are slow, prone to theft, and surprisingly expensive. * [02:27] Paying Third-Party Claimants - How Settlement Done Easy addresses the compliance gap when sending funds to individuals, attorneys, and law firms. * [07:04] Security at the Core - An overview of the platform’s SOC 2- and NACHA-compliant approach to safeguarding transactions. * [18:34] Future of Same-Day Settlements- Exploring the potential for accelerating ACH timelines even further to meet market demand. * [00:25:41] Bootstrapping a Startup - Shannon’s journey from idea to prototype, and how mentorship and startup communities provided essential support. Notable Quotes * [00:49] “We built Settlement Done Easy using current technology to replace the process of paper checks through the mail with an ACH payment.” – Shannon Elsea * [02:27] “The challenge is, how do you pay the third-party claimant? How do you pay the represented claimant? And that’s where Settlement Done Easy comes into the mix.” – Shannon Elsea * [11:54] “Over one billion dollars worth of checks are stolen out of the mail every year in the U.S.” – Shannon Elsea   Our Guest Shannon Elsea is the founder of Settlement Done Easy, a digital platform that replaces mailed paper checks with secure ACH payments. Leveraging his 30+ years of experience as a personal injury attorney, Shannon aims to expedite insurance settlements and reduce risk for insurers and legal professionals alike.   Resources and Links   Shannon Elsea  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-elsea-3265a5126] | Settlement Done Easy [https://settlementdoneeasy.com/]   Josh Hollander  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/] | Horton International [https://www.horton-usa.com/] | Insurtech Leadership Show [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/?viewAsMember=true]

The insurance industry faces mounting challenges to simplify financial operations and deliver fast, seamless claim payments. In this episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, host Joshua Hollander talks with Curt Hess, U.S. Executive Vice President of Vitesse, about how the company’s treasury and payment platform helps insurers, managing general agents, and third-party administrators gain real-time visibility over funds and streamline claims payments. They explore how Vitesse’s technology addresses long-standing pain points, such as managing complex cash flows and reconciling accounts among multiple stakeholders. Curt explains how real-time insights, trusted fund management, and digitized settlements can enhance both operational efficiency and the policyholder experience. He also shares his perspective on leading cross-border teams, navigating market differences, and partnering with private equity. Whether you’re an industry veteran or simply curious about the evolving landscape of insurance finance, this conversation provides an inside look at technology solutions reshaping treasury and claims processes.   In This Episode: * [00:10] Introduction to Curt Hess - Meet the U.S. Executive Vice President of Vitesse and learn why his banking and treasury background fuels the company’s expansion strategy. * [02:38] Real-Time Fund Visibility - Curt explains how Vitesse’s unified technology platform offers insurers real-time insights on fund flows, improving operational efficiency. * [06:51] The “Last Mile” of Claims Payments - How Vitesse enables policyholders to choose their preferred payment method and reduces claim settlement times from weeks to hours. * [10:40] Addressing Long-Standing Pain Points - A look at how historic inefficiencies—like scattered funds and time-consuming reconciliations—are being tackled with new solutions. * [14:40] Navigating U.S. Market Differences - Key learnings from adapting a UK-born platform for the American insurance landscape, including regulatory nuances and client feedback. * [25:34] Collaboration with KKR - Curt highlights Vitesse’s partnership with private equity firm KKR and how it supports the company’s strategic initiatives and growth. * [28:24] The Industry’s Future - Curt’s perspective on how insurers are modernizing financial workflows in response to factors like inflation, natural disasters, and rising customer expectations.   Notable Quotes * [00:07:31] "The last thing that a policyholder wants at the time of need is to worry about where their claim is and how they are going to get paid." – Curt Hess * [00:20:06] "Bringing people over is super important because unless they come over and experience it, they really may not quite understand some of those differences that need to be addressed." – Curt Hess * [00:23:31] "It's really important that the culture in Vitesse across the pond is the culture we want to build here in the U.S., around having humility, driving to succeed, and ultimately having a real client focus." – Curt Hess * [00:28:24] "The industry is having to adapt with a number of headwinds, whether it's natural disasters, inflation, or social inflation driving things up with legal and court verdicts." – Curt Hess   Our Guest Curt Hess is the U.S. executive President of Vitesse, a global treasury and payment solutions provider specializing in the insurance industry. With a background in banking, he brings extensive experience in financial services. At Vitesse, Curt focuses on expanding operations, particularly in the U.S., and enhancing client-centric solutions for efficient claims processing and treasury management.   Resources and Links   Curt Hess * https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-hess-81425251 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/curt-hess-81425251] * https://www.vitesse.io/ [https://www.vitesse.io/]   Josh Hollander * https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/] * https://www.horton-usa.com/ [https://www.horton-usa.com/] * https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/?viewAsMember=true [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/?viewAsMember=true]

Commercial insurance is a billion-dollar industry—but behind the scenes, it’s a mess. Agents are buried in outdated processes, struggling to keep up with client needs and fighting to prove their value in a system that just isn’t built for efficiency. So, what if there was a better way? What if technology could finally give agents the tools they need to move beyond paperwork and actually reduce risk for their clients?   In this episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, host Joshua Hollander sits down with Lawson Condell, CEO and founder of Riskbly, to talk about how he’s tackling these challenges head-on. Riskbly is a platform designed to modernize the fractured and siloed processes that have long plagued commercial insurance, giving agents real-time insights and better ways to manage risk.   Lawson shares his journey from working at major corporations like Oracle and Thomson Reuters to launching a platform built specifically to empower commercial agents. They dive into what’s broken in the industry, why white-label solutions are a game-changer, and how Riskbly is helping agents shift from simply selling policies to becoming true risk advisors. Plus, Lawson reflects on how his military background shaped his leadership style and what he sees as the future of commercial insurance in a tech-driven world.   If you’re ready to see how technology is rewriting the rules of commercial insurance, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Let’s dive in! In This Episode: * [00:40] Founding Riskbly – Lawson’s motivation behind creating Riskbly for commercial agents. * [01:07] Challenges in Commercial Insurance – The fragmented and manual processes in commercial insurance communication. * [02:37] Building the Riskbly Platform – The development of Riskbly, aimed at improving agent-client interactions. * [03:41] Real-Time Insights for Agents – The platform provides agents with real-time insights and risk management tools. * [04:40] The Role of Agents as Risk Advisors – The importance of agents acting as risk advisors to clients. * [08:48] Product Evolution – The ongoing evolution and future features of the Riskbly platform. * [09:57] Team and Development – Lawson shares how he assembled his development team for product creation. * [12:50] Data Analysis Capabilities – Exploration of the platform's ability to analyze data for client benefits. * [16:23] Target Audience for Riskbly – The platform caters to both existing commercial agents and newcomers. * [18:01] Best Practices for Successful Agents – Insights on what makes successful agents stand out. * [21:03] Risk Management Transparency – How Riskbly helps demonstrate risk management efforts to insurers for better premium rates. * [22:01] Comparison with Oracle – Lawson compares his tech startup experience with his time at Oracle, emphasizing platform flexibility. * [25:00] Military Experience Influence – Lawson reflects on how his military background shaped his leadership philosophy and approach to business. * [29:05] Client Relationships and Value Perception – The need to continually earn client trust and adapt to changing perceptions of value. Notable Quotes * [00:04:26] "I come in as the risk advising agent wanting to lower your total cost of risk. We go through a diagnosis, and I find these things. You agree on it, but in six months or a year, I come back, and you haven’t done anything. It’s a frustrating process." – Lawson Condell   * [00:14:10] "We are here to support the agent. We are here to make that agent that partners with us the very best. I promise to each agency, to each agent, I’m here to make you better. My team’s here to make you better." – Lawson Condell   * [00:28:13] "I think if you try to stay as close to the client and your employees as you can, and I don't mean emotionally close, I mean in the trenches with them, helping them out, figuring out what motivates them, it makes a difference." – Lawson Condell   Our Guest Lawson Condell, CEO and founder of Riskbly, a platform designed to empower commercial insurance agents with tools to manage risk, streamline operations, and deliver better value to their clients. With a background in corporate America, including roles at Oracle and Thomson Reuters, Lawson brings a wealth of experience in SaaS solutions and commercial insurance. A former military officer, Lawson’s leadership philosophy is deeply influenced by his time in the Air Force.   Resources and Links   Lawson Condell * https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawson-condell/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawson-condell/] * https://www.riskbly.com/ [https://www.riskbly.com/]   Josh Hollander * https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/] * https://www.horton-usa.com/ [https://www.horton-usa.com/] * https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurt [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/?viewAsMember=true]