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In this episode of the Reinventing Finance Podcast, KASKO⁠⁠ CEO & Co-Founder ⁠Nikolaus Sühr⁠ and ⁠VIG Platform Partners⁠⁠ CEO Dr. ⁠Ronald Engel speak with Nelius Strydom, CEO at Seamless Insure. As insurance distribution evolves beyond traditional channels, the discussion explores whether value is shifting away from products and towards orchestration, infrastructure, and ecosystem design. Here are some of the key topics discussed in the episode: Why insurers may no longer be the primary owners of customer relationshipsHow MGAs and distributors are capturing new insurance profit poolsWhat separates successful ecosystem-driven models from failed embedded insurance programmesHow infrastructure is becoming a competitive advantage beyond core systemsWhy activation and distribution increasingly matter more than product sophisticationHow technology enables faster experimentation and product iterationWhat role insurers play when distributors take greater control of product designWhy coordination and orchestration may become the industry's key differentiatorsHow AI is changing product development, compliance, and platform scalabilityWhat smaller insurers can do to compete with larger incumbents in a rapidly changing marketWhy the future winners may be those who manage complexity across products, partners, and markets most effectivelyHow the MGA operating model is influencing the next generation of insurance businessesA wide-ranging discussion on where value is migrating across the insurance ecosystem and what it takes to remain relevant as technology, distribution, and customer expectations continue to evolve.

In this episode of the Reinventing Finance Podcast, KASKO⁠ CEO & Co-Founder Nikolaus Sühr and VIG Platform Partners⁠ CEO Dr. Ronald Engel⁠ speak with Niels Van Quaquebeke, Professor of Leadership and Organisational Behaviour at Kühne Logistics University and Distinguished Research Professor at the University of Exeter. They explore why AI adoption is ultimately a leadership challenge rather than a technology problem, and what happens when management, coordination, and organisational design become increasingly AI-enabled. Here are some of the key topics discussed in the episode: why most organisations still fail to extract consistent value from AI despite massive investmenthow AI exposes weaknesses in leadership, coordination, and organisational designwhat the “AI productivity paradox” means for insurers and knowledge-driven businesseswhy employees resist automation when leaders cannot articulate the future of workhow middle management roles may fundamentally change in AI-first organisationswhat parts of leadership AI can already augment, automate, or outperformwhy coordination and collective alignment may remain uniquely human leadership taskshow AI changes decision-making, judgment, and evidence-based managementwhat insurers can learn from AI-driven organisational redesign experimentswhy asking better questions may become more valuable than having all the answershow leaders can redesign workflows instead of running endless AI experimentswhat an “AI-first” operating model could mean for financial services firmsA thoughtful discussion on the future of leadership, management, and organisational design in an AI-enabled economy. ____Reinventing Finance Podcast is a proud partner of ITC Europe 2026!📍Barcelona | 28-29 MayGet your ticket now and save 10% with code NVDR64https://europe.insuretechconnect.com(not combinable with other discounts)

In this episode of the Reinventing Finance Podcast, KASKO CEO & Co-Founder Nikolaus Sühr and VIG Platform Partners CEO Dr. Ronald Engel speak with Jordi Pagés, CEO & Co-Founder of Weecover. Here are some of the key topics discussed in the episode: how embedded insurance can reduce friction in customer journeyswhy partner commitment is critical for activationwhat insurers often underestimate about distributionhow APIs and legacy systems can limit embedded modelswhy speed is an early signal of partner qualitywhat makes insurance products relevant at the point of salehow UX, pricing and communication affect attach rateswhy embedded insurance needs more than technologywhat MGAs and insurers should consider before building their own stackThe episode offers a practical view on what it takes to make embedded insurance work beyond the initial launch.____Reinventing Finance Podcast is a proud partner of ITC Europe 2026!📍Barcelona | 28–29 MayGet your ticket now and save 10% with code NVDR64https://europe.insuretechconnect.com(not combinable with other discounts)

KASKO CEO & Co-Founder ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nikolaus Sühr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VIG Platform Partners⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CEO Dr. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ronald Engel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ speak with Roger Peverelli, Author, Lecturer in InsurTech Innovation and Former Co-Founder of Digital Insurance Agenda, about the untapped potential of football as a platform for social impact. Here are some of the key topics discussed in the episode:– how football creates social impact at scale through its universal appeal– why insurers overlook existing social initiatives despite heavy sponsorship spend– what differentiates CSR from marketing when aiming for genuine impact– how insurers can leverage existing football ecosystems instead of building their own initiatives– why awareness, not budget, is often the biggest barrier to action– how social impact initiatives influence employer attractiveness and talent acquisition– what insurers can learn from initiatives like the Homeless World Cup, led by Mel Young– how to balance personal passion with organisational continuity in CSR programmes– why exclusivity thinking limits social impact and collaboration increases outcomes– how leading insurers integrate sponsorship with social purpose effectively– what practical steps insurers can take to activate existing partnerships for impactThis episode offers a pragmatic perspective on how insurers can rethink sponsorship and CSR to achieve meaningful, scalable impact. Listen now! ⚽ If you like football, we recommend checking out Roger Peverelli's new book called "Eleven Beautiful Goals - How Football Is Changing Lives"! ____Reinventing Finance Podcast is a proud partner of ITC Europe 2026! 📍Barcelona | 28–29 May Get your ticket now and save 10% with code NVDR64(not combinable with other discounts)

In this episode of the Reinventing Finance Podcast, ⁠KASKO⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CEO & Co-Founder ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nikolaus Sühr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠VIG Platform Partners⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ CEO Dr. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ronald Engel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ speak with Harald Trautsch⁠, Founder & CEO of Dolphin Technologies⁠⁠. Here are some of the key topics discussed in the episode: – how telematics can move from post-accident response to predicting and preventing risk – why 25% of accidents happen within the first three minutes of a trip, and what insurers can do about it – how behavioural economics explains risky driving and how to counteract it – what makes telematics programmes fail after initial engagement fades – how to target the right customer segment instead of trying to “please everybody” – why communication consent and contextual messaging are the real foundations of modern insurance – how insurers can start with a low-cost pilot instead of a six-figure telematics rollout – what it means to monetise risk reduction and reward safer behaviour – how insurers can evolve from commodity and product thinking towards experience design – why the future of telematics must extend beyond the car into broader mobility and life contexts A strategic conversation for insurance leaders on how to connect data, behavioural science and communication to create measurable impact.

In this episode of the Reinventing Finance Podcast, KASKO⁠⁠⁠⁠ CEO & Co-Founder ⁠⁠⁠⁠Nikolaus Sühr⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠VIG Platform Partners⁠⁠⁠⁠ CEO Dr. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ronald Engel⁠⁠⁠⁠ speak with Vincenz Klemm, CEO & Co-Founder of Baobab, about building a next-generation cyber MGA and what it really takes to underwrite digital risk. Here are some of the key topics discussed in the episode: – how Baobab evolved from a US insurtech success story to a European cyber MGA– why cyber insurance must integrate risk mitigation, not just risk transfer– what brokers need to actually sell cyber effectively in the mid-market– how to prove that “active cyber” prevention measurably reduces losses– why outside-in scanning alone is insufficient for robust underwriting– how accurate attack surface mapping improves speed and pricing– what NIS2 means for insurability and cyber investment across Europe– why rising cybersecurity spend does not reduce the need for risk transfer– how geopolitical tensions influence cyber risk awareness and demand A practical discussion on underwriting discipline, prevention technology and the future of cyber insurance for European SMEs and the mid-market.

In this episode of the Reinventing Finance Podcast, ⁠⁠⁠KASKO⁠⁠⁠ CEO & Co-Founder ⁠⁠⁠Nikolaus Sühr⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠VIG Platform Partners⁠⁠⁠ CEO Dr. ⁠⁠⁠Ronald Engel⁠⁠⁠ speak with ⁠Mark Chemaly, CEO & Co-Founder of Assista Pilot, and Christian Chemaly, CTO & Co-Founder of Assista Pilot. Here are some of the key topics discussed in the episode: – how AI agents differ from chatbots, RPA and traditional automation in insurance operations – what an AI agent actually is and how it takes action across systems – why claims is the most impactful starting point for agentic automation – how AI agents handle unstructured data from FNOL to decision-ready claims files – what insurers need to solve before they are truly “AI-agent ready” – how to combine deterministic systems, APIs and AI without replacing core platforms – why modular, layered implementations outperform large rip-and-replace projects – how to prioritise claims processes based on cost, customer experience and speed – what insurers often underestimate when moving from pilots to production – why voice and conversational claims journeys require a complete rethink of process design The conversation offers a practical, experience-led view on how insurers, MGAs and TPAs can deploy AI agents in claims with measurable operational and customer impact, without over-engineering or unrealistic expectations.

In this episode of the Reinventing Finance Podcast, ⁠⁠KASKO⁠⁠ CEO & Co-Founder ⁠⁠Nikolaus Sühr⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠VIG Platform Partners⁠⁠ CEO Dr. ⁠⁠Ronald Engel⁠⁠ speak with Sung Feng Wu, CEO of Avata. Here are some of the key topics discussed in the episode: – how insurers currently misunderstand digital risk, gamer behaviour, and the scale of the gaming economy – why gaming represents a mainstream, fast-growing multi-billion-euro market rather than a niche – how to think about insuring digital assets, skins, accounts and hardware, and what makes valuation and evidence easier than in the physical world – what digital communities expect from protection products and why language, credibility and cultural fit matter – how embedded distribution works in gaming ecosystems and why federations, marketplaces and events offer strong entry points – what drives B2B2C adoption, partner objections, and the actual timelines from first conversation to go-live – why the future of gaming insurance is parametric, automated and AI-driven, with instant, event-based payouts – what insurers can learn from gamer expectations around UX, transparency and community-centric product design A deep dive into one of the fastest-emerging risk categories, and what it reveals about the next generation of insurance customers.

In this episode of the Reinventing Finance Podcast, ⁠KASKO⁠ CEO & Co-Founder ⁠Nikolaus Sühr⁠ and ⁠VIG Platform Partners⁠ CEO Dr. ⁠Ronald Engel⁠ speak with Aljoscha Ziller, Managing Director of Verivox Versicherungsvergleich GmbH. Here are some of the key topics discussed in the episode: – how Verivox Versicherungsvergleich GmbH as price comparison website (aggregator) positions itself within the German insurance market through trust, transparency and a holistic household-focused approach – how understanding “household economics” shapes Verivox Versicherungsvergleich GmbH multi-vertical strategy across insurance, energy, telco and banking – why Verivox Versicherungsvergleich GmbH avoids competing with insurers at the customer interface and focuses instead on triple-win partnerships – how online portfolios can be profitable despite high acquisition costs, and what mix of channels and products makes it viable – what claims insights mean for retention and how Verivox Versicherungsvergleich GmbH works with insurers to understand and influence portfolio quality – how personalisation, modular funnels and data-driven recommendations improve customer journeys – what role AI can play in supporting (rather than replacing) advisory functions in digital distribution – how behavioural triggers, upselling approaches and abandoned-cart measures can be used responsibly to support customer choice – what consolidation among European comparison portals means for competition and market entry – why trust, personalisation and long-term customer relationships would sit at the heart of a “reinvented” aggregator model A deep dive into digital distribution, ecosystem strategy and the evolving future of online insurance comparison.

In this episode of the Reinventing Finance Podcast, KASKO CEO & Co-Founder Nikolaus Sühr and VIG Platform Partners CEO Dr. Ronald Engel speak with Kyle Bryant, Head of International at Coalition. Here are some of the key topics discussed in the episode: – how “active insurance” combines live internet scanning with underwriting to prevent claims, not just pay them – what signals actually predict loss (e.g., exposed VPNs, vulnerable perimeter devices, risky software) – why static questionnaires and industry/revenue rating miss real cyber exposure – how portfolio-level telemetry and honeypots cut noise and surface actionable alerts – why AI hasn’t yet spiked claims and what’s really driving frequency (BEC and funds transfer fraud) – how to think about systemic risk in the cloud and why some models overstate aggregation – what an intermediated-only go-to-market means for brokers and SME penetration – how Coalition Re/Helios gives reinsurers a bottoms-up technical view to attract smarter capacity – what to ask before buying cyber: exposure, risk appetite, and who you call on a bad day – how embedded services during the policy period reduce frequency without creating alert fatigue – why talent (not regulation) is the hardest part of international expansion and market entry A practical, no-hype conversation for insurers, MGAs and brokers on pricing, prevention and capacity in cyber. Listen in to find out more.

In this episode of the Reinventing Finance Podcast, ⁠KASKO⁠ CEO & Co-Founder Nikolaus Sühr and VIG Platform Partners CEO Dr Ronald Engel speak with Jeff Doran, Co-Founder of Talos, an MGA specialising in transactional risk insurance. Doran discusses the evolution of the warranty and indemnity (W&I) insurance market and how technology is shaping its next phase.Key topics discussed include: ➡️Origins of Talos: Founding story, mission, and growth as a tech-enabled multiline MGA. ➡️Role of W&I Insurance: Supporting clean exits in M&A by reducing friction between buyers and sellers. ➡️Market Awareness: Limited understanding remains a barrier; brokers play a role in expanding reach. ➡️Buyer vs Seller Policies: Most W&I placements occur on the buy side to cover unknown risks. ➡️Regional Comparison: Europe shows ~15% market penetration, with scope to expand into smaller M&A deals. ➡️Claims Insights: High-severity claims linked to revenue and contract breaches; frequency varies by sector. ➡️Underwriting Dynamics: W&I affects negotiation behaviour and the disclosure process in transactions. ➡️Broker Collaboration: Brokers remain central to structuring policies and scaling distribution efficiently. ➡️Technology in Underwriting: AI and data-driven platforms enhance speed, consistency, and scalability. ➡️Private Equity Strategies: W&I supports buy-and-build models and streamlined due diligence processes. ➡️Future Outlook: Continued digitisation, faster policy cycles, and focus on sustainable pricing across markets. The discussion highlights how W&I insurance continues to evolve, blending underwriting expertise with technology, broker partnerships, and data-driven efficiency to support a more agile M&A ecosystem. #Reinventingfinancepodcast #InsurTech #MGA #insurance #insuranceindustry #privateequity #PE #mergersandacquisitions #M&A #underwriting

In this episode of the Reinventing Finance Podcast, ⁠KASKO⁠ CEO & Co-Founder Nikolaus Sühr and VIG Platform Partners CEO Dr. Ronald Engel speak with Alexander Heß, Managing Director & Country Manager of Assurant Germany. Here are some of the key topics discussed in the episode: 📍Assurant’s re-entry into Germany driven by a major telco win and European growth strategy. 📍Overview of Assurant’s three verticals: housing, automotive (EV-focused), and connected living. 📍Distinction between embedded vs integrated insurance and their operational implications. 📍Use of circular economy in device protection through trade-in, repair, and refurbishment models. 📍Introduction of forward trade-in and upgrade programmes to increase customer retention. 📍Local supply chain investment to meet partner expectations and ensure service quality. 📍Flexibility to act as insurer, reinsurer, or administrator depending on partner needs. 📍Challenges in smart home insurance due to fragmented device ecosystems. 📍Sustainability positioned as a business enabler, not just a compliance function. 📍Telco case study demonstrating end-to-end integration of insurance and service offerings. 📍Decline of outbound sales in Germany; focus on inbound and digital upsell opportunities. 📍Potential in banking-telco-insurance convergence for embedded propositions. 📍Concern that economic pressure may delay required investment in embedded infrastructure. This episode provides strategic and operational insight into how global players like Assurant localise #embeddedinsurance models, integrate circular economy thinking, and navigate complex #b2b2c #partnerships, relevant for executives shaping product, distribution, or transformation strategies across #insurance #ecosystems.

In this episode of the Reinventing Finance Podcast, ⁠KASKO⁠ CEO & Co-Founder Nikolaus Sühr speaks with Ronald Engel, CEO of VIG Platform Partners and Head of Transformation at Vienna Insurance Group (VIG), who just took over the role as Nick's new co-host. Here are some of the key topics discussed in the episode: 📍Ronald Engel’s background in law, consulting, and entrepreneurship. 📍Overview of his role at VIG Platform Partners and the group’s innovation function. 📍VIG’s focus on enabling B2B2C digital insurance across CEE markets. 📍Discussion on VIG Platform Partners’ complementary approach to existing insurance partnerships. 📍Embedded insurance as a potential structural shift in distribution.📍Reflections on early embedded insurance implementations and evolving product strategies. 📍The role of modular insurance products in customer acquisition and upselling. 📍Views on embedded insurance economics and scale challenges. 📍Common challenges in corporate venturing and execution. 📍Importance of strategic alignment, internal sponsorship, and operational autonomy. 📍Risks of over-investing early in corporate start-ups without proven traction. 📍Preference for lean teams and variable cost structures in early stages. 📍Use of external support to stay agile in execution.📍Experience launching the SZIGET Festival insurance pilot under tight deadlines. 📍Innovation governance across a decentralised insurance group structure.📍Efforts to shift from isolated pilots to scalable business contributions. 📍Reflections on success and failure in group-wide innovation efforts.📍Vision for Platform Partners as a group-wide execution and acceleration unit.📍Discussion on challenges scaling pilots without dedicated infrastructure.📍The role of in-person events like ITC Europe in relationship building and industry engagement. 📍Ronald Engel’s motivations for joining the podcast as co-host. This episode offers strategic and operational perspectives on how Vienna Insurance Group approaches #embeddedinsurance, #corporateventuring, and #innovation #orchestration across a decentralised organisation. It provides insights for executives involved in #productinnovation, #digital #distribution, or #digitaltransformation initiatives within #insurance #ecosystems, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe.

In this episode of the Reinventing Finance Podcast, ⁠KASKO⁠ CEO & Co-Founder Nikolaus Sühr speaks with Viola Zsédely-Takács, Business Development Director for New Growth Engines at Ageas. During the conversation Viola shares insights about how Ageas is scaling B2B2C insurance across Europe and Asia - focusing on distribution innovation, digital bank assurance, and what it really takes to industrialise embedded insurance. Here are some of the key-topics discussed in the episode: 📍Strategic evolution at Ageas from the Impact 24 to Elevate 27 strategy, narrowing focus towards B2B2C distribution innovation. 📍Three innovation areas Ageas prioritised: health, protection (life products beyond traditional underwriting), and B2B2C partnerships, and how these areas intersect. 📍The challenge of adapting insurance products—especially protection products—for embedded and digital distribution contexts, with a strong emphasis on customer-centric simplification. 📍Differences in product design and UX between advisory channels (e.g. agent/broker) and digital or embedded journeys. 📍Concrete use cases from India and Turkey, including successful digital loan and credit life products with optional riders like unemployment protection. 📍Scalability as a core principle, including standardised product backends, reusable assets, and partnerships to allow onboarding of new B2B2C partners in as little as 48 hours. 📍Digital B2B2C distribution channel strategies beyond bank assurance, including telcos, e-commerce, digital wallets, and microfinance institutions—while deliberately excluding red ocean segments like travel. 📍The importance of flexible technology stacks and external partnerships over bespoke internal builds to ensure adaptability, speed, and cost-effectiveness. 📍Key performance indicators used to track success, including business inflows, number of lives insured, product profitability, and number of reusable assets. 📍Cultural and operational insights from implementing a centralised B2B2C innovation model across 13 markets with diverse regulatory and digital maturity levels. Check out the episode to find out more! #insurance #insuranceindustry #insurers #versicherung #b2b2c #insuranceproducts #distribution

In this episode of the Reinventing Finance Podcast, KASKO CEO & Co-Founder Nikolaus Sühr speaks with Christopher Meyer-Mölleringhof, Venture Lead for Pet Insurance at Fressnapf Maxi Zoo about how Europe’s leading pet retailer successfully launched its own pet insurance offering. Here are some of the key-insights from the episode: ➡️ Fressnapf Maxi Zoo’s entrance into pet insurance, focusing on high demand, commercial attractiveness, and its role in their broader pet care ecosystem. ➡️ The business model decision to act as an insurance agent rather than take on risk, partnering with Petolo in Germany and launching a white-labelled Maxi Zoo Assurance in France. ➡️ The role of co-creation in insurance product development, ensuring tailored coverage, transparency, and an easy buying journey to drive adoption. ➡️ Key product differentiators, such as breed-specific disease coverage, pre-existing conditions, and integration of an online vet service as a built-in benefit. ➡️ The power of brand trust and customer access, reducing acquisition costs and increasing conversions by embedding insurance into an existing pet care ecosystem. ➡️ Retail distribution and customer engagement, including digital-first sales, store employee education, and referral incentives. ➡️ Challenges in aligning retail and insurance mindsets, particularly regarding long-term revenue models and ecosystem-driven engagement. ➡️ The future of embedded insurance, highlighting opportunities for non-insurance brands to co-create and distribute innovative insurance products. Check out the episode to find out more! #petinsurance #insurance #insuranceindustry #business #businessgrowth #strategy