(Image credit: Bridgesward.)
Pie Insurance, a Washington, D.C.-based startup that began selling workers’ compensation directly online in 2018, has announced the closing of $127 million round of new financing and capital commitments. Gallatin Point Capital (Greenwich, Conn.) joined Pie’s current investors in the capital raise, including Greycroft (New York), SVB Capital (Palo Alto, Calif.), Aspect Ventures (Palo Alto), Elefund (Palo Alto), and Sirius International Insurance Group, Ltd. (Hamilton, Bermuda). The new financing includes $27 million to support the continued growth and expansion of Pie Insurance’s offering to small business owners. The additional $100 million equity capital commitment will support Pie’s strategic initiative to form and purchase licensed insurance companies.
Ian Sigalow, Co-Founder and Partner, Greycroft.
Pie was founded in 2017 with the declared mission to provide workers’ compensation insurance to small businesses, both directly through its website and also through independent agents. Over the past twelve months, Pie reports that it has grown its written premium 150 percent to nearly $19 million in Q1 of 2020. The company says that tens of thousands of small businesses have received quotes using the company’s simple online experience, driven in part by Pie’s recent national television advertising campaign. Pie has also expanded its availability through independent insurance agents, adding hundreds of additional agencies this year. Pie offers workers’ compensation coverage in 34 states and the District of Columbia and says it plans to continue to expand across the nation to serve more small businesses, either directly or through their agents.
Matt Botein, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Gallatin Point Capital.
“Pie continues to demonstrate significant momentum, even in the current economic climate,” comments Ian Sigalow, Co-Founder and Partner, Greycroft. “We’re pleased to help fuel the company’s next stage of growth as they transform the market for small business insurance.”
Pie’s statement on the new funding round says that its next phase of growth includes the formation of a new affiliated company, Pie Carrier Holdings—in which Gallatin Point Capital is the lead investor—to create and purchase licensed insurance companies. Pie Carrier Holdings will own the licensed insurance companies that Pie will use to issue a portion of its insurance policies. Sirius Group is also investing directly in Pie Carrier Holdings and will continue to issue insurance policies offered by Pie.
John Swigert, Co-Founder and CEO, Pie Insurance.
Impressive Results in Short Time
“We’re impressed with the results Pie has achieved in such a short time period,” comments Matt Botein, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Gallatin Point Capital. “We welcomed the chance to contribute to their expansion strategy in a meaningful way.”
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Matt and his team on this innovative approach toward solving one of the biggest challenges facing a growing InsurTech company—building a capital structure that supports both our rapid growth and balance sheet needs,” comments John Swigart, Pie Co-Founder and CEO. “This financing enables Pie to continue our expansion, even during these uncertain times, while also forming the foundation for our future.”
Pie Insurance Expands Direct Workers’ Comp Business into California