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Pete Lawson

Highlights

Jul 26 · linkedin

Are you a seasoned entrepreneur with experience working within the biodiversity and conservation industry and with data-based solutions?

Looking for a new challenge?

We are looking for an Entrepreneur In Residence to join the team and help us lead our WildRe Venture! If interested, contact Orlando Crocker - ARK Venture Studio

#entrepreneur #venturestudio #eir #startup #biodiversity #insurance

Jul 19 · linkedin

90 @ Ninety: Reflections from my first 90 days working in insurance at ARK Venture Studio (#3 of 3)

Embedded insurance is an idea whose time has come - Embedded finance is a hot topic and feels like it is at a tipping point. Selling insurance through a non-insurance platform, at the point of sale, conveniently and seamlessly isn't new. However, advancements in technology platforms and how we use them mean embedded insurance is one of the driving components leading the digital transformation of the insurance industry.  Shifting how products & services are developed from insurance-led to customer-led, transforming customers to partners and driving lower cost, personalised and convenient products.

AI has been a game changer – Not really a reflection on insurance or venture studios but about starting a new job in a new sector during the advent of AI adoption. Whilst AI will invariably transform many parts of the insurance supply chain (a post for another time) – it has transformed my experience of starting a new job. ChatGPT & Bard have enabled me to understand a wide range of new subject areas very quickly, helped me better navigate jargon and supercharged the synthesis of large amounts of data. The real skill still lies in being an information connoisseur, making informed strategic decisions and being action and execution-orientated. AI has enabled me to do this quicker and we undoubtedly open up new roles, sectors and opportunities to many more, if you embrace it.

The venture studio model is a compelling concept – borrowing a metaphor – do you bet on the horse (start-up) or the jockey (the entrepreneur)? The answer is neither, the true bet lies in the trainer (venture studio) who pulls it all together. Whilst venture studios have been around for a while, they are now becoming an increasingly popular structure in the start-up landscape and their data makes for compelling reading.

More likely to raise funds: 60% of studio-backed companies raise a Series A round – compared with 42% from traditional venture investments. Quicker to grow: On average, studio ventures reach seed round ~ 2 years faster than traditional venture investments and get to Series A in half the time. Exit more frequently and sooner: Studio ventures have a higher exit success rate (34% compared with 19% for accelerators) in a shorter time frame (~3-4 years compared with nearly 7 for non-studio-backed ventures). Higher return profiles: Average IRR from a studio venture is ~50% compared with ~20% for a traditional start-up.

Venture studios offer a unique opportunity to both investors and entrepreneurs. For entrepreneurs, they de-risk the start-up process, provide access to dedicated and expert support and an expanded network. For investors they offer the opportunity for superior returns diversified across a portfolio of ventures.

If you are an entrepreneur or investor and want to find out more about getting involved in ARK Venture Studio – drop me a message and let’s chat.

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Pete Lawson
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