In this episode of the Insurtech Leadership Podcast, recorded live at the InsureTech Connect (ITC) conference, host Josh Hollander sits down with Bobbie Shrivastav and Renu Ann Joseph to discuss the launch of their groundbreaking book series, Momentum . The first book, Makers and Builders Edition, showcases ten unfiltered stories from women making waves in insurtech, from bootstrapped founders to venture-backed entrepreneurs.
Through personal narratives and powerful imagery, this series documents the journeys of women founders who are reshaping the industry's future, addressing the stark reality of the 2% venture capital funding gap, and creating pathways for the next generation of female innovators.
Key Insights:
Overview of the "Momentum" book series and its mission to amplify women's voices in insurtech
Unique structured-yet-unfiltered approach to sharing founders' experiences
Strategic use of visual storytelling to make complex industry narratives accessible
Celebration of diverse paths to success, from bootstrapped to venture-backed founders
Impact of representation on inspiring young girls in tech and insurance
Personal stories of resilience, including cancer survivors and industry pioneers
Building a supportive ecosystem for women in insurtech
Power of physical printed books in creating lasting impact and inspiration
Plans for future editions focusing on resilience, leadership, and Gen Z innovators
Key Topics Covered:
[00:10] Introduction to Momentum and its mission
[01:09] Inspirational stories and unfiltered narratives
[02:44] Unique storytelling format combining photos and personal stories
[03:33] Launch experience and community support
[04:27] Impact of physical books on next generation
[06:08] Diverse founder journeys and paths to success
[08:59] Breaking through industry barriers and challenges
[10:08] Venture funding gaps and alternative success metrics
[11:18] Future plans for amplifying more voices
[13:33] Maintaining authenticity in storytelling
Notable Quotes:
"My daughter was telling me, 'How many books did you print?' I said, '150.' She asked, 'Can I be the 150th person to receive the book?' She's nine, and she's truly been my inspiration for my startups." - [03:33] - Bobbie
"There is a background on their own personal journey. How did they grow up? Why did they fall into insurance? How did they pick the ideas they worked on, and what are the barriers? It's very, very personal." - [06:08] - Renu
"One of them said, 'I did it,' because she almost backed out of writing her story, thinking she wasn't there yet. I told her, 'Your story needs to be told. You will get there.'" - [10:01] - Bobbie
"Many of these women have great businesses without taking a single penny of investor money. For me, that is a success story." - [11:11] - Renu
About Our Guests:
Bobbie Shrivastav is a dynamic leader in the insurance and technology sectors, strongly focusing on promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry. As co-founder of Momentum, a groundbreaking book series, she works to amplify the voices of women, founders, and innovators shaping the future of insurtech. Through her work, Bobbie is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of leaders, advocating for resilience, creativity, and leadership in insurance and technology.
Dr. Renu Ann Joseph is a passionate advocate for diversity and innovation in the insurance and technology sectors. As co-founder of Momentum, a transformative book series, she amplifies the stories of women, founders, and industry leaders shaping the future of insurtech. Renu’s commitment to leadership, resilience, and creativity drives her work to inspire future generations and break barriers for underrepresented voices in the tech and insurance fields.
Resources:
Bobbie Shrivastav
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbieshrivastav/
https://beacons.ai/bshrivastav
https://themomentumbook.com/
Renu Ann Joseph
https://www.linkedin.com/in/renu-ann-joseph-changemaker1/
https://themomentumbook.com/
Josh Hollander
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuarhollander/
https://www.horton-usa.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/insurtech-leadership-show/?viewAsMember=true
https://www.insurtechassociation.org/
https://innsure.org/
Mentioned
Momentum: Makers and Builders