Bold Penguin was lucky enough to have a special guest the other day to help make our new digs official. Big thanks to the Mayor of Columbus, Andrew Ginther, for stopping in to wield a giant pair of scissors like a pro.

We know, something as old-school as a ribbon cutting might not seem very, um, tech-company-esque, but hey, here in the heart of the Midwest, it couldn’t have felt more fitting.

Mayor Ginther, or "Andy" as he likes to be called, understands this—and what makes Columbus different from other start-up towns. Before the ribbon-cutting, he delivered some heartfelt words: “Whereas other cities might be transactional, we’re a relationship town.” It was a sentiment perfectly in line with what our Founder Ilya Bodner said to kick off the event: “Above all else, Bold Penguin is a people company.”

Strategically, it makes sense for an insurtech like Bold Penguin to be headquartered in Columbus. From our new office, you can’t look out any window without seeing one of the country’s top insurance companies. Some have already joined the Bold Penguin exchange, and others have utilized the carrier recommendation engine or the APIs we offer. But beyond offering an integrated tech solution, we feel at home here among all our insurance neighbors because we share a set of values.

It’s a focus on people.

Jeff Sopp, Chairman of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, introduced the Mayor at our event, and stressed the fact that people in Central Ohio "come here and stay here.” Jeff is a major advocate of Columbus entrepreneurship, with a successful history behind him. Jeff regularly sits on boards of companies big and small. Like many of us, he's focused on making the Columbus pin on the map a little bigger when it comes to getting noticed.

For many, it’s easy to see how that’s already happening: with a very affordable cost of living, a regular influx of talent, and a clear vision for the future that the Mayor and others are focused on. Being centrally located makes us a short flight away from just about anywhere, and only a scooter ride from one of the largest universities that fuels our staff’s growth.

At Bold Penguin, we’re taking advantage of our proximity and our understanding of the commercial insurance space. But more than anything, it’s our people that separate us from the rest. In the last few months, our existing executive team was joined by three unique individuals. Frank Lamantia came on to help us elevate our technology deployment cycles. Ryan Hanley joined as CMO, and Erik Slangerup as Creative Director, to remind the world that although being a SaaS commercial insurance platform may not exactly roll off the tongue, it can still be an exciting story to tell. These people are just one part of the already talented team of professionals who have chosen to make Columbus—and Bold Penguin—home.

And with the ribbon now officially cut on our new office, we’re looking forward to more.

Be Bold.

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