Gordon Tay is the Co-founder of Surer, an insurtech startup that helps insurers and agents close more deals faster through tech. Before Surer, he was Category Director at Carousell.

👋🏼  How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

Your insurance agent and insurer have to go through a lot of work to get your insurance policy. We help cut this workload down with our tech!

🧐  What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

I am clueless when it comes to my own insurance policies! Thank god I have a good insurance agent (who uses Surer as well!)!

🏆  What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

Being involved as an early-stage employee at two startups that are now unicorns (one just got listed!). They say three's a charm - definitely hoping Surer will be another unicorn I've had a hand in building.

Apart from the business side of things, it has been hugely rewarding to be able to impact lives and industries the way innovative startups do and change lives for the better.

🔍  What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?

Insurtech for sure since Surer is operating in this space.

Specifically, how the trend within insurtech is transforming from being centered around "exclusivity" (cutting out different parties in the value chain) to what it is today, which is around "inclusivity" and for multiple parties to work together in a digital ecosystem to leverage each other's expertise to serve the end policyholder better.

💼  What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry?

Insurance is not a subject or topic that is the most exciting. Definitely not something many would call out to be an interest area or hobby.

Before joining the industry, be very clear on your "why" and when the going gets tough or dull, look back on this 'why' to motivate yourself.

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🗣  What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours?

Innovation or ideas on how to improve things.

🎥  What's your favorite movie/TV show?

Rocky!

🍨  What's your go-to ice cream flavor?

Nutella. Nutella everything. lol.