An Inside Look at Alecto / Friendsurance’s Office in Berlin

In July 2016 we visited the company Alecto, known through their online product friendsurance.

Here is the interview with Sebastian Herfurth und Tim Kunde, Co-Founder and Managing Directors of Friendsurance. Also have a look at the team and office photos.

Your Business

Please, tell us something about your Company, when was your company founded, your location, in how many countries are you active?

In 2010, we realized that insurance is expensive and lacks transparency: people pay high premiums each year, and get nothing in return.

This is why we have developed a peer-to-peer insurance concept which rewards small groups of users with a cashback bonus each year if their group remains claimless:

the claims-free bonus which is available on friendsurance.

What is your core business?

We operate as an independent insurance broker.

Are you using Venture Capital? And if – who are your Venture Partners?

We have renowned  institutional and private investors from the internet scene such as Horizons Ventures, e.ventures, the German Startups Group as well as the European Regional Development Fund.

 

In which countries are you active? Are you planning to expand your venture in other countries? And if – where?

We are currently active in Germany. We are planning to expand to other markets. Our first expansion target is Australia.

 

Where do you see the company in 5 years?

With a six-digit number of customers and approximately 70 domestic insurance partners we’re already on a good way to become Europe’s biggest Insurtech-Company.

We are taking a step by step approach to disrupting the insurance industry.

Our vision of Friendsurance is to make insurance more customer-friendly, helping to save time and money that can better be spent on the finer side of life.

Your Team

How many employees work at your company right now? Are you planning to expand?

Right now we 90 people from 18 nations and we’re still hiring.

 

What is the average age of your team members?

The average age at Friendsurance is 31 years.

 

What kind of attitude should new employees have to have in order to work at your company?

New employees should have the same values as the Friendsurance team: hands-on pragmatism, humor, self-drive, teamplay and a positive mindset.

Why is it fun to work at your company? Do you offer any employee benefits?

Being part of the Friendsurance team means thinking new every day. That’s both, challenging and fun at the same time.  According to Kununu we are one of the 10 most popular startups in Berlin. Besides a great working atmosphere and a brand new office we offer an employee share option programme, team events, sport classes, fresh fruits and a lot more.

 

Do you offer new employees a relocation service or help to relocate?

We help new employees from abroad to have a good start in Berlin not only regarding the relocation, but also by visa- or bureaucratic issues. Additionally, we offer German classes twice a week.

Do you have a job board? What is the web-link?

More information about our values and working at friendsurance, as well as open positions:  Jobs

Your Office

How big is your Office/Production Site?

We have a spacious 1,300 square meter office in Berlin-Kreuzberg.

Did you get  help from an interior designer by designing the office? And if who did you work together with?

The office was designed by the Berlin interior designers Hülle & Fülle, who also created the offices of Wooga and Zalando Hub.

Thank you Alecto / Friendsurance Team for this interview & the photoshooting!

Location: Berlin, Germany   Website:  friendsurance  Photos: copyright by Andreas L. Photography