Category Visionaries Nyasha Gutsa, CEO of Billy: $4 Million Raised to Build the Future of Construction Insurance
In today's episode of Category Visionaries, we speak with Nyasha Gutsa, CEO of Billy, a construction insurance platform that’s raised over $4 Million in funding, about how he found a lucrative niche in a very specific market, and why digital administration in the construction sector has been a long time coming. Billy was established to provide integrated access to insurance for people and companies in the construction sector, letting people review, interact with and manage their insurance plans, including direct contact with providers when necessary.
We also spoke about Nyasha’s journey from Zimbabwe to the US and what it was like arriving here for the first time, how his journey took him through several different industries until he worked his way to the top, and what he learned along the way about how to deal with things when they don’t work out the way you thought they would. Nyasha also shared his experiences as a founder of color in an unequal investment environment still unable to provide truly equal opportunities.
Topics Discussed:
- Nyasha’s journey from Zimbabwe to the USA, and what it felt like coming here for the first time at a young age
- How a recession permanently changed Nyasha’s career trajectory, and how he worked his way up from the construction yard to the administrator’s office
- Why digitalization in the construction sector has been a long time coming, and why Billy prioritizes ease of access to encourage adoption
- The construction insurance ecosystem and why the needs of modern businesses suit a more flexible, digital platform
- How a user-centric focus helped Billy reduce friction for new users while maintaining security for administrators
- Nyasha’s experiences as a founder of color, and the challenge of inclusivity in the investment ecosystem