We’re pleased to present our latest installment in our new feature series – “FintekNews Celebrates #WomenInFintech“!
This week, we’d like to introduce you to
Jennifer Fitzgerald, CEO & Co-Founder of Policygenius,
an independent online insurance marketplace helping people get the coverage they need — and feel good about it.
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www.policygenius.com1) What does your financial technology firm offer?
Policygenius is a digital platform for consumers to learn about, shop for and purchase all kinds of insurance. At Policygenius.com, consumers can manage all of their insurance needs - from health insurance to life insurance and much more. We’ve created everything from content to underwriting engines to deliver a seamless consumer experience.
1) What does your financial technology firm offer?
Policygenius is a digital platform for consumers to learn about, shop for and purchase all kinds of insurance. At Policygenius.com, consumers can manage all of their insurance needs - from health insurance to life insurance and much more. We’ve created everything from content to underwriting engines to deliver a seamless consumer experience.
2) What was the personal motivation for you to launch your firm?
Before launching Policygenius, I was a consultant to the insurance industry at McKinsey & Company. That’s where I learned about the significant challenges facing the insurance industry, and the opportunity for a company like Policygenius to bring this industry into the modern digital age. I was also excited about the prospect of building a company from the ground up.
3) As a female entrepreneur, do you feel any advantages/disdvantages in being female as you are seeking capital to grow & building your business?
In raising capital for my company, I haven’t observed any specific advantages or disadvantages being a female founder. Raising capital and scaling a business is difficult for any first-time founder, regardless of gender.
4) Do you feel you are at a competitive advantage – or disadvantage – as a female fintech entrepreneur – or neither?
As a female founder in fintech, I think I’m at a slight competitive advantage. There are fewer of us, which means that we have a better opportunity to tell our story in the media. Also, being a relatively rare female founder and CEO in fintech, I find that I can more easily create a connection with talented women looking for opportunities in fintech, which helps my company in recruiting.
5) Do you feel there are more women starting financial technology companies than in other business sectors? If so, why or why not?
Female founders are still underrepresented in financial technology compared to other industries, like ecommerce and media. It’s probably a reflection of the underrepresentation of women in financial services more broadly.
6) Do you think the trend will continue where we will see more women in leadership roles in fintechs (Yes/No) and why?
Yes, I do think we’ll see more women in leadership roles at fintech companies. As the sector matures, and as opportunities broaden, I think we’ll see more women leading and starting companies.
Jennifer Fitzgerald is the CEO and Co-Founder of Policygenius, an independent online insurance marketplace.
Jennifer regularly shares her insights on personal finance and insurance tech and serves as an expert on the insurance industry and the entrepreneurial path, with published bylines in TheNextWeb, Entrepreneur Magazine, Huffington Post and CNBC.com.