First Connect had crossed a significant growth threshold after surpassing $500 million in gross written premium in 2025, marking a pivotal milestone one year after Centana Growth Partners acquired a majority stake in the company. The achievement reflects a year of accelerated expansion, new carrier relationships, and heightened adoption of its technology-driven insurance distribution platform.
The Palo Alto-based company has positioned itself at the center of the rapid digital transformation underway in the independent agency channel. First Connect connects independent agents with more than 130 carriers and MGAs, offering a streamlined path to market access in an increasingly fragmented landscape. Agents rely on the platform for greater flexibility and a broad mix of solutions to serve customers. And carriers use the platform to efficiently expand distribution, identify high-performing agencies, and support profitable growth initiatives.
First Connect has emerged as one of the fastest-growing digital distribution platforms in the insurance sector. Once launched as a subsidiary of Hippo Holdings, the company has seen its premium volume outside of Hippo increase approximately fourteenfold since 2021 as agents have increasingly adopted its technology suite and carrier network. The momentum reflects heightened demand from both agents and carrier partners seeking modern distribution capabilities.
In 2025, the company deepened its market position by securing new partnerships with major industry players, including AmTrust, Berkshire Hathaway GUARD, and The Hanover. Centana’s investment has also accelerated product development and expanded engineering, enabling the company to scale operations while investing in next-generation tools for both sides of the marketplace. First Connect has invested heavily in AI capabilities to support underwriting, carrier matching, and performance visibility, and is building a carrier portal to provide greater transparency and improve distribution efficiency.
The company’s continued growth also stems from a disciplined focus on quality and retention. Its data-driven matching and performance oversight help ensure that independent agents are connected to the right carriers, supporting both premium growth and strong underwriting outcomes. The platform’s approach has helped carriers achieve sustained performance results, including premium expansion with controlled loss ratios.
As the independent agency channel continues to adopt digital-first tools, First Connect appears poised to play an increasingly central role in shaping the future of carrier-agent relationships, balancing high-quality distribution, operational scalability, and product innovation.
KEY QUOTES:
“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. 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 recognize 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.”
“We’re not just growing our business—we’re building the foundation of a company that can scale sustainably. 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.”
Aviad Pinkovezky, CEO of First Connect
“First Connect is showing what modern insurance distribution can look like. 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.”
Sarah Kim, Partner
