Startups Directory

Next Insurance is a digital-first insurance platform that enables small businesses to obtain commercial insurance coverage—including general liability, professional liability, workers' compensation, and commercial auto—in as little as 10 minutes through a 100% online process. The company serves over 750,000 small businesses across 1,300+ professions with instant proof of insurance and U.S.-based support. Unlike traditional brokers requiring weeks of back-and-forth, Next Insurance provides tailored quotes and immediate binding, eliminating the friction of legacy insurance purchasing. In July 2025, the company was acquired by Munich Re Group's ERGO for $2.6 billion.

Employment Hero is an AI-powered Employment Operating System that automates the entire employee lifecycle—from recruitment and onboarding through payroll, benefits, and compliance management. Built by an employment lawyer and product technologist, it serves 300,000+ businesses managing 2 million employees globally, including EOR capabilities through Global Teams. Unlike traditional HRIS platforms that act as systems of record, Employment Hero functions as a system of action, with AI automating manual workflows and triggering next moves autonomously. The company differentiates through Swag, a consumer-facing superapp that serves employees alongside employers.