As climate risks escalate and wildfires grow more frequent and destructive, how can startups help the insurance industry adapt and evolve? In this episode of Startup Founders and Backers, we spotlight how Firebreak Risk uses artificial intelligence to change how insurers assess and underwrite wildfire risk, while empowering homeowners to protect their properties.

Seetal Chohan joins us from Firebreak Risk to explore how the company’s AI-driven platform transforms user-submitted images and video into actionable data for insurers. Their goal? To close the gap between homeowners’ mitigation efforts and insurance eligibility and pricing. With Firebreak, homeowners can actively reduce their risk, and insurers gain a more thoughtful, more dynamic way to evaluate and price policies. According to Seetal, homes mitigated using Firebreak’s guidance are 40% more likely to survive a wildfire.

This episode also examines the role of the Lloyd’s Lab Accelerator, part of the world-renowned Lloyd’s of London insurance marketplace. Seetal shares how the accelerator’s unique program connects insurtech startups with mentors and domain experts to co-create solutions that address emerging challenges. With 85% of startups forming commercial relationships through the program, the Lab is a launchpad for meaningful change in insurance innovation.

Key discussion points include:

• How Firebreak Risk leverages AI to turn homeowner data into underwriting intelligence
• Why startups like Firebreak are helping insurers move faster on climate risks
• The importance of linking individual mitigation actions to tangible insurance outcomes
• How Lloyd’s Lab is building bridges between cutting-edge startups and industry stakeholders
• Opportunities for other founders to join the next Lloyd’s Lab cohort

From climate adaptation to AI-powered underwriting, this episode offers a clear view of how new ideas are reshaping one of the world’s oldest industries. Whether you're building a startup or backing the next wave of innovation, this conversation shows what's possible when tech meets tradition with purpose.

What does it really take to scale a startup from an idea to a thriving business generating over $100M in ARR? In this episode of Startup Builders & Backers, we explore that journey with Luke Diaz, founder of DBT Ventures, an angel investment fund focused on supporting underrepresented founders. Drawing on his extensive background leading customer success teams and scaling early-stage companies, Luke shares powerful lessons on driving product adoption, boosting retention, and practicing conscious leadership.

Our conversation uncovers practical strategies that founders can apply immediately, from structuring effective onboarding programs to understanding churn before it becomes a problem. Luke emphasizes that customer success is not just a department but a foundational philosophy that impacts every area of a startup’s growth trajectory. His advice on creating a transparent culture of continuous improvement offers a refreshing look at how leadership style directly influences business outcomes.

Beyond operational tactics, Luke offers a candid view of the funding landscape, sharing tips on how startups can better quantify their potential, attract the right investors, and overcome the biases that still exist within traditional venture capital ecosystems. His commitment to supporting diverse founders highlights an important shift happening across the industry.

We also discuss emerging technologies and the importance of focusing on business outcomes rather than getting caught up in the latest hype. Luke’s insights on integrating tools like ChatGPT into business operations offer a grounded perspective on how startups can use AI to enhance decision-making without losing sight of the fundamentals.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, an investor seeking promising ventures, or a startup operator focused on scaling sustainably, this episode offers practical, real-world insights that go beyond the headlines. Tune in to discover how conscious leadership and strategic customer success can help unlock the true potential of your venture—and why a focus on people, not just products, might be the key to long-term success.

What should tech startups know before expanding beyond their home market?

In this episode of Startup Founders and Backers, we explore that very question with Dr. Shan Nair, president of Nucleus and a pioneer in international expansion services. With a background that began in nuclear physics at Oxford and led to advising globally recognized names like Tesla and FaceTime, Shan brings a rare blend of analytical precision and hands-on business experience to cross-border growth.

Our conversation covers the full spectrum of what startups must consider when scaling internationally. Shan outlines the most common expansion scenarios, including companies hiring their first overseas employee or those already present in multiple countries struggling to manage operations effectively. He explains how Nucleus provides a single point of contact across legal, financial, and compliance services, helping avoid the confusion and risk of using separate vendors in different regions.

We also examine how legal requirements and regulatory expectations differ across regions. Shan shares specific insights into employment law exposure in Europe and Latin America, the changing rulebooks in Asia-Pacific, and the intricate compliance landscape in India. He underscores the importance of working with finance leaders who understand international complexity and why a realistic budget is just as important as the product itself.

Looking toward the near future, Shan offers his thoughts on the role that technologies such as cryptocurrencies and modular nuclear energy might play in reshaping international operations. He also reflects on how protectionist policies may influence where companies manufacture and how they hire.

Whether preparing for your first overseas hire or rethinking your entire expansion strategy, this episode offers clear, experience-backed insights for founders who want to make smarter decisions when taking their startup global.

What would you consider the biggest challenge in going international? Let us know, we'd love to hear your perspective.