E60 - Trent Cooksley: Head of Open Innovation at Markel Corp

In this episode of Profiles in Risk, I speak with Trent Cooksley who is the head of open innovation at Markel Corp. Markel is a large insuance company, with a global presence, and Trent is in charge of exploring new technologies and innovation.

We discuss the insurtech scene, how Trent filters the large (and ever growing) list of new technologies and companies. Trent also goes into how startups can be being successful ("take the bull by the horns") and how important it is for startups to find an internal corporate champion and how to sell their ideas.

CONNECT WITH TRENT COOKSLEY:
LinkedIn

 
DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:
The similarities of an insurance company to an electric utility
"Don't boil the ocean"
"Learn how to sell"
"Find a champion"