The Cowboy Coder: From Ranch Life to AI Innovator

Join us as we welcome our special guest, Lucas Urbisciaga from Argentina, to explore the fascinating world of premium financing and the standout services offered by our partner, Ascend. Lucas provides insights into how Ascend differentiates itself within the industry by delivering competitive rates and offering seamless digital access for both brokers and clients. Our discussion also takes a flavorful turn as we savor the rich taste of Argentinian wine, specifically Zuccardi from the Uco Valley in Mendoza, which Lucas recommends as one of Argentina's finest offerings. Together, we blend the complexities of finance with the cultural richness of wine, creating a unique experience for our listeners.

In our conversation, we explore a variety of topics, including the climate that makes Argentina's wine-growing regions, like Mendoza, comparable to California's, as well as the nuances of a 2019 Malbec. We also contrast different weather experiences between warm climates and the chill of Minneapolis. Reflecting on personal experiences, we share fond memories of living in Boston, its historic charm, walkable streets, and delightful Italian food scene, highlighting favorite spots like Mike's Pastry in the North End. These personal anecdotes tie back to our connections to Argentina and our work at Praxis, offering listeners a rich blend of experiences and shared interests.

As we transition into the realm of entrepreneurship and innovation, we chart the journey of creating AI-driven solutions for the insurance industry. We explore the founders' shared history at Harvard and their drive to tackle mundane industry tasks with technology, highlighting the role of Y Combinator in nurturing their ambitions. Listen in as we discuss the potential of AI to revolutionize the insurance sector, from streamlining operations to addressing concerns like data aggregation and analysis. We also touch on economic challenges in Argentina and their implications for the insurance industry, all while examining the irreplaceable value of human brokers amidst advancing technology.

Timestamps

00:00 - Guest Lucas introduces Argentinian wine and its connection to his heritage.

03:57 - Lucas discusses the similarities between Argentina’s Mendoza region and California’s wine biomes.

09:19 - Lucas shares how he discovered Bitcoin as a teenager to combat Argentina’s inflation.

12:50 - Lucas explains how he learned coding through Bitcoin mining at age 12.

16:32 - How Praxis uses AI to transform insurance processes into efficient workflows.

21:26 - Lucas describes his experience with Y Combinator and its focus on ambitious founders.

24:47 - The transformative potential of AI in standardizing and improving insurance operations.

31:00 - Lucas’s take on systemic risks in cyber security and the inevitability of breaches.

39:22 - Discussion on Argentina’s economic challenges and its impact on daily life.

46:18 - Lucas explains why early-stage startups should prioritize learning over rapid scaling.

50:15 - How Praxis is poised to redefine insurance workflows with data-driven AI.

Connect with RiskCellar:

Website: https://www.riskcellar.com/

Lucas Urbisaia

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-urbisaia

Website: https://www.praxos.ai/

Email: lucas@praxos.ai

Brandon Schuh:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552710523314

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-stephen-schuh/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schuhpapa/

Nick Hartmann:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjhartmann/