First Connect, a modern digital insurance marketplace connecting insurance carriers with independent agents, announced it has surpassed $500 million in gross written premium (GWP) in 2025. The milestone comes one year after Centana Growth Partners acquired a majority stake in the company, following a year of meaningful expansion, product innovation, and expanded carrier and agency relationships. The company’s momentum comes as independent agencies continue to gain market share, positioning First Connect at the centre of an important industry trend.
First Connect is a digital platform that connects independent agents with top insurance companies, streamlining market access to over 130 carriers and MGAs. For agents, it provides flexibility in an increasingly fragmented market, offering access to a wide range of solutions to better help their customers. For carriers, it delivers a cost-efficient, data-driven way to expand distribution, match with the right high-performing agents, and accelerate profitable growth.
The achievement represents remarkable momentum for First Connect, originally a Hippo Holdings, Inc. subsidiary, which has become one of the fastest-growing digital distribution platforms in the insurance industry. Since 2021, the company’s premium volume outside of Hippo has increased approximately 14x as independent agents adopt the platform to access its network of carriers and MGAs. It reflects strong demand from both independent agents and carrier partners seeking technology-driven solutions.
“Reaching $500 million in annual gross written premium in such a short time is validation that our model is working—and we’re just getting started,” said Aviad Pinkovezky, CEO of First Connect. “This growth reflects the trust we’ve earned from both sides of our marketplace. We’ve got new agencies joining us all the time, in addition to the agencies that recognise how easy it is to do business with us and keep coming back. Carriers see us as a way to access scalable, profitable distribution quickly and efficiently. That trust is creating a flywheel dynamic that’s accelerating our growth.”
Building for Both Sides of the Insurance Marketplace
First Connect‘s growth has been fuelled by investments across its platform, with a particular focus on enhancing the experience for both independent agents and carrier partners. The independent agency distribution channel is experiencing a significant digital transformation, a finding revealed through research featured in the company’s inaugural 2025 State of the Industry Survey, released in October 2025. The research found that carriers who invest in agent success through technology and operational support are gaining significant market advantages over those maintaining traditional transactional relationships.
The company has expanded its team across product development, engineering, sales, and account management to support the increasing demand for its solution. “We’re not just growing our business—we’re building the foundation of a company that can scale sustainably,” said Pinkovezky. “Our heritage as part of Hippo has given us an advantage in accessing top-tier talent across insurance operations, sales, marketing, technology, and design. As a standalone company with private backing, we have the dedicated focus and resources to accelerate our growth and better serve the independent agency channel.”
Backed by Centana’s investment, the company is prioritising strategic investments in technology and product development, including new tools designed to enhance how agents and carriers work together on the platform. The company has invested in AI-driven tools that streamline underwriting and carrier matching, and is developing a carrier portal designed to bring new transparency and efficiency to the distribution process.
Recent partnerships demonstrate that major brands and well-capitalised MGAs increasingly recognise the value of First Connect‘s technology-enabled distribution model. This year alone, First Connect announced partnerships with AmTrust, Berkshire Hathaway GUARD, The Hanover, and more.
“First Connect is showing what modern insurance distribution can look like,” said Sarah Kim, Partner, Centana Growth Partners. “The team’s disciplined growth, strong fundamentals, and tech-first approach set them apart in the market. We’re thrilled to support the next stage as the company becomes a key partner for independent insurance agencies and carriers across the U.S.”
Focus on Quality and Retention
While First Connect has achieved rapid premium growth, the company’s success is grounded in its ability to deliver high-quality, profitable business to carriers. The platform’s data-driven matching and ongoing performance oversight help ensure that the right agents connect with the right carriers, driving both growth and strong underwriting results.
“Our hands-on approach to managing loss ratios and keeping carriers in control helps them achieve both premium and profitability goals,” said Pinkovezky. “For example, over a two-year period, one large national personal-lines carrier saw a 4x increase in written premium while maintaining an average loss ratio of 45%. That’s the kind of sustainable, disciplined growth we aim to deliver across our network.”
