Startup Corner: Insurate

​Insurate is revolutionizing workers' comp insurance by using AI and data to reward safety. In a space often burdened by outdated actuarial models, Insurate’s Propensity Safety Score™ provides a forward-looking measure of risk, helping safe businesses get the premiums they deserve.

A new partnership with Markel Insurance brings this tech-driven underwriting approach to even more employers, reducing costs and improving outcomes for frontline industries like construction, manufacturing, and transportation.

With a simple premise—“the safer you are, the less you pay”—Insurate is bringing fairness and insight to commercial insurance.

Connected Insights: Build genuine relationships with venture capital investors

​In episode 83, my guest was Mark Suster, General Partner at Upfront Ventures. Mark brings a valuable lesson: founders must prioritize building genuine relationships before fundraising. Suster believes that cultivating trust and understanding the venture from both sides results in better alignment and partnerships, not just checks.

Like Jacques in episode 171, Mark highlights how startups can thrive by slowing down to build clarity and connection rather than rushing toward capital or unfiltered pushback. Financial success follows strategic patience and relational depth; not the other way around.

Community Involvement: Technion

Beyond venture capital, Jacques Benkoski serves on the board of his alma mater, Technion (Israel’s top technical university). He also actively supports nonprofits focused on fostering connection in conflict zones. Jacques advocates for cross-border dialogue and engagement especially between individuals with long histories of political tension.

In a striking example, he once brought a Syrian CEO to a conference in Israel. It was a gesture that changed perspectives and built new bridges.

In his own words, “People need to know each other… and forgetting the conflict, see what could be done.”