Have you ever wondered why financial operations within the insurance industry are notoriously complex? The intricate processes involved can be overwhelming, from data reconciliation to commission payouts.

In this inaugural episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, host Josh interviews Qiyun Cai, CEO and co-founder of Fintary, a financial operations platform tailored for the insurance industry. Qiyun shares her remarkable journey from technology investing and AI product development to the insurance sector, where she co-founded Amplify, a digital brokerage for life insurance. The challenges of financial operations in insurance, such as data reconciliation and commission payouts, inspired the creation of Fintary in 2023. Fintary focuses on life and health insurance brokerages, offering AI-driven automation to streamline financial processes and drive business outcomes. Qiyun emphasizes the importance of industry-specific solutions, the need for modern tools to attract young talent, and the potential for technology to transform long-standing industry practices.

If you're interested in the intersection of finance and technology, this is a conversation you won't want to miss!

In This Episode:

• [00:09] Qiyun's background and decision to start Fintary
• [01:33] Challenges in financial operations in the insurance industry
• [03:56] Focus and segmentation of customer segments
• [05:09] Product capabilities and industry-specific workflows
• [08:38] Use of AI and newer technologies in financial operations
• [09:03] Product roadmap and comprehensive approach
• [13:39] Target customer segments and organization size
• [14:32] Multi-line platform and expansion into different lines of business
• [15:45] Unique needs and use cases for different insurance lines
• [17:25] Incorporating technology and product development principles
• [19:04] Funding and customer agreements for company growth
• [21:14] Opportunity and challenge in innovating in the life insurance industry
• [22:27] Go-to-market strategy and product adoption
• [22:44] Typical entry point and ultimate buyer in organizations
• [23:33] The product delivering business outcomes
• [24:53] Evolution of the industry
• [27:41] Attracting talent to the organization
• [28:56] Closing remarks and call to action

Notable Quotes

• [02:45], "I just realized how cumbersome it is to run financial operations in the insurance industry."-Qiyun
• [06:28] "A lot of these companies have been looking for solutions; it just doesn't solve their end-to-end workflow needs."-Qiyun
• [21:21] "When we show our product to our customers, people say, 'This is what I've been thinking about, and you've built what would solve my problem.” -Qiyun
• [25:08]  "When I started in the industry, I realized how it has been around for many years, with organizations running in a very specific manner for quite some time."-Qiyun
• [26:08]  "Now is the time where there has been a lot of consolidation, and many businesses are going through a phase where they want to professionalize the business."-Qiyun

Our Guest

• Qiyun Cai is the founder and operator of Fintary, focused on building automation solutions that make a meaningful impact on businesses. Previously, she co-founded Amplify Life Insurance, a digital platform enhancing financial security. She was the first product manager at Spoke, creating an AI-enabled service desk, and an investor at Scale Venture Partners, specializing in B2B enterprise SaaS, IT infrastructure, and mobile technologies. Qiyun excels in combining technology and business innovation.

Resources and Links

Josh Hollander

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/
• https://www.horton-usa.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/?viewAsMember=true

Qiyun Cai

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/qiyun-cai-b3837315/
• https://www.fintary.com/