Our Industry’s Future Is Located At 101 Weston

In this episode of Agents Influence podcast, host Jason Cass interviews Aubie Knight, CEO of Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, and Pat Cline, Director of Accelerator Operations at Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina. Episode Highlights: Aubie explains that The Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina is an insurer tech accelerator that helps independent insurance agents have a voice in the development of new technology to strengthen the distribution system. (2:19) Aubie shares that he is part of an organization called "101 Weston Labs" which aims to support insurance innovation and independent agents in the next generation. (8:30) Pat discusses the 101 Weston Labs program which provides mentorship, coaching, access to technology for independent insurance agents, and aims to enable agents to become involved in the technology that will be in their future and put good technology into their hands to create a better customer experience, have better processes and be more efficient. (10:39) Aubie mentions that several unknown companies are creating tech products to solve problems in the independent agency system, many of which originated from agents who built solutions for their own agencies. (14:21) Aubie shares that they encourage entrepreneurial and inspiring problem solvers to develop products to benefit other agencies. (15:18) Aubie discusses the challenge of identifying and understanding the purpose of the many new insurtech companies emerging. (18:31) Aubie explains the pitch day for their investment accelerator program, where entrepreneurs present their slide deck and every company accepted into the program will receive investment. (21:50) Pat discusses the formalized process of their investment accelerator program. They typically have five to eight companies coming through at a time and hope that the process will be a win for both sides. (23:48) Aubie explains how "IndieTech" or technology made specifically for independent agents makes up a significant portion of the tech stack used by independent agents in the insurance industry. (27:03) Key Quotes: “We believe that the distribution system in the future will continue to thrive and be as healthy as the technology that they developed, or the technology that they implement in order to improve efficiencies and enhance the customer experience.” - Aubie Knight “We want agents to be involved in the technology that will be in their future.” - Pat Cline “Ideally, that's what we hope happens to all the companies that come through our program, that they end up building a very viable product that makes agents lives easier, and helps them thrive.” - Aubie Knight Resources Mentioned: Aubie Knight LinkedIn Pat Cline LinkedIn 101 Weston Labs program Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina Reach out to Jason Cass Agency Intelligence