ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In this episode, Dax Craig, co-founder and CEO of Comeryx, shares a career that began building antennas for Bluetooth and cellular devices, moved through fourteen years of predictive analytics for property and casualty insurers, and led to co-founding an insurance carrier that grew past $600 million in premium before he walked away to start over again. Dax opens up about the darkest day of his career, cutting his team from 34 to 14 in a single day, the investor who wired $600,000 with no contract the next morning, and why he believes AI can finally fix an industry where nobody in the chain makes money on small policies.
✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:
Co-founded Zertex Technologies out of a business school class, then grew it from $5 million to $100 million in 18 months by shifting manufacturing to China
Pivoted into machine learning in 2001, years before the term was common, after abandoning an idea that later became YouTube
Co-founded Valen Analytics in 2002, building the largest non-bureau data store in the country for property and casualty insurers
Nearly lost his CEO title over a hiring dispute, then had to cut staff from 34 to 14 in a single devastating day
Received an unsecured $600,000 wire from an investor the day after admitting he needed help
Waited ten months in total silence after pitching White Mountains before they called back ready to fund Pi Insurance
Scaled Pi Insurance past $600 million in premium and 5,000 agency partners before leaving in 2025
Sold Valen to Insurity in 2018 after 14 years building predictive analytics for insurers
Founded Comeryx to bundle general liability and pollution liability coverage for small contractors overlooked by every major carrier
Built Comeryx's entire underwriting and quoting process around AI, cutting policy turnaround from weeks to minutes
🌟 Dax's Key Mentors:
Juan Rodriguez: His University of Colorado business professor whose shared idea became the foundation of Zertex Technologies
Nigel Morris (Co-Founder, Capital One): Told Dax the Capital One origin story over dinner, inspiring him to become an insurance company himself
Morgan Davis (White Mountains): Gave Dax fifteen minutes at a Newport Starbucks that turned into ninety, then championed his idea internally for years
His CEO Peer Group: Held him accountable during his darkest days, teaching him not to blame others for decisions that were ultimately his own
👉 Hear how a wireless technology entrepreneur with zero insurance background built and sold two companies, survived a devastating round of layoffs, and is now betting AI can finally fix insurance's broken small-business segment.
🔗 Connect with Dax Craig:
Website: comeryx.com
📄 Transcript Available: From Wireless Antennas to AI-Native Insurance: Dax Craig's Path to Comeryx
📺 Watch on YouTube: Inspired Stories Podcast
🌐 Our Website: The Inspired Stories Podcast
📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line
Website: addbackbenefits.com
