20VC: Corgi Insurance: The Most Intense Workplace Culture in America: 7 Days Per Week, Founder Sleeps in Office, Corgi Cafe Open 24 Hours a Day, 60% of First 30 Employees Have Corgi Tattoos | The Journey from $0 to $2.6BN Valuation in Just 2 Years
Nico Laqua is the Co-Founder and CEO of Corgi Insurance, an AI-native insurance carrier built for startups. Corgi is the most intense workplace culture in America. The team works 7 days per week. The founder sleeps in the office. ⅔ of the first 30 team members have a Corgi tattoo. This week, Corgi raised $106M, valuing the company at a whopping $2.6BN. AGENDA: 06:35 Why going to university was a massive waste of time 09:42 Why we work seven days a week 11:58 Why we do work trials and how that is a test of people's stamina 18:41 Why we created a cafe in the biggest annoyance with San Francisco 22:00 Why I am so bullish on London 23:49 Why I haven't sold a single secondary 24:19 Why people who found companies in New York prioritise dating over their company 30:46 Biggest lessons on cash comp and equity 31:13 Team members can be split into three separate groups 34:59 Biggest lesson from Brian Chesky on price 35:44 What is the right amount of time to be fundraising for? 36:47 Good companies get deals done and what makes the best venture investors? 40:34 Why AI makes sales and marketing more valuable 43:12 Why I don't like boards and I don't think they're effective 46:19 What I would like to see more of from venture funds 48:05 Who was Corgi's first believer?