In the ever-evolving landscape of AI-driven innovation and entrepreneurship, few figures stand out quite like Arina Man, the CEO of K2G. As a trailblazer in the motor insurance sector, Arina leverages cutting-edge AI technology to transform how insurers manage and assess risk.
With a rich background that spans multiple disciplines, from teaching to law and corporate finance, Arina’s journey is a fascinating blend of passion and relentless pursuit of knowledge. Her unique leadership style—characterized by lean, horizontal management and a family-centric approach—has been pivotal in fostering an open and innovative culture at K2G.
In our conversation, Arina reveals how her education and experiences have been fundamental to her entrepreneurial success. She also shares candid insights into the challenges and thrills of running a family business with no off-switch, reflecting a relentless drive and a spirit of adventure. Join us as we delve into Arina’s story, exploring the lessons she’s learned and the inspiration that fuels her transformative work.
From Ambitious Beginnings to an Adrenaline-Fueled CEO: Arina Man’s Unconventional Journey
Arina Man doesn’t believe in relaxing, and she’s pretty unapologetic about it. “I don’t relax,” she says with a laugh, “because something is wrong if I’m not doing anything.” For Arina, the work-life balance myth is just that—a myth. It’s not just her passion for running K2G, an AI-driven motor insurance company, that keeps her going around the clock. It’s also because her co-founder is her husband, and even her son is part of the team. “It’s a family business in the truest sense,” she jokes, detailing how even her children help with small tasks. Relaxation, for her, would feel like missing an important beat.
Hierarchy? Forget about it. Arina runs K2G with a philosophy that’s as unconventional as her 24/7 work ethic. “We argue a lot, and that’s how we grow,” she says, embracing a lean management style. Her company is structured horizontally, making her approachable to her entire team of fifty. Employees are encouraged to challenge her, and she admits she’s as prone to making mistakes as anyone else. “Why should I correct someone’s mistake when it’s so much more fun—and educational—to fix my own?” It’s this openness and appetite for learning that keep K2G’s culture vibrant and resilient.
Arina’s journey to becoming a CEO was anything but linear. From studying German linguistics to pursuing a career in law, and finally diving into corporate finance, her diverse background equipped her with an arsenal of skills. Her legal training keeps her sharp in navigating risk, while her finance education ensures she’s never in the dark about her company’s numbers. Speaking fluent German is the cherry on top, especially since she’s based in Switzerland, where her linguistic talents come in handy daily. Arina may not have become the “beautiful princess” she once dreamed of as a child, but she’s certainly forged a path fit for a queen in the world of AI and entrepreneurship.
From KPMG to K2G: Arina Man on Building a Business Born from Necessity
Arina Man’s career was on a stellar trajectory: a coveted consulting role at KPMG, followed by a successful stint at Crédit Suisse. But life had its own twists. “Then everything went well,” she laughs, “until I ended up divorced, with three kids and a furious ex-husband.” Faced with the challenges of providing for her children and the stigma of being a single mother in the corporate world, she took a leap. The entrepreneurial path wasn’t just a choice; it was a necessity. “People didn’t take me seriously,” she explains. “You’re automatically seen as a ‘social project’ when you’re a mom of three.”
Necessity became the mother of Arina’s entrepreneurial ventures. After founding and selling several businesses, she found herself drawn to the world of AI and motor insurance—an industry far removed from her past but close to her heart as a mother. The inspiration for K2G was sparked by a simple yet powerful concern: road safety for her kids. “One of my biggest headaches was the chaos of the streets,” she says. K2G was born out of a desire to create safer roads, using advanced AI models to help insurance companies better understand risk and improve driver behavior. It’s more than just a business for her; it’s a mission.
K2G’s approach is simple but powerful, as Arina passionately pitches: “We have a product, not a service.” The company uses AI to analyze and enrich insurance data, making motor insurance smarter and safer. Arina’s team developed a model that not only identifies problematic drivers but also helps insurers tailor their strategies, supporting safer drivers and reducing risks. “Good drivers shouldn’t have to pay for the mistakes of bad drivers,” she emphasizes, highlighting the fairness she aims to bring to the industry. Her journey from corporate consultant to serial entrepreneur is a testament to resilience, a little bit of chaos, and a lot of bold innovation.
How Arina Man Turned Crisis into Opportunity
When the world stopped driving during the pandemic, Arina Man and her team at K2G were facing a complete shutdown of their telematics business. Insurance companies, in a brutally honest move, told them straight up: “We’ll terminate the contract because we don’t believe a startup like yours will survive COVID.” Arina didn’t have time to wallow in self-pity. Instead, she gathered her team and asked, “What shall we do now?” It wasn’t a moment of defeat but the beginning of one of the boldest pivots they’d ever make—turning their focus entirely to AI.
Her team doubled down, attracting top-notch data scientists and shifting from telematics to data-driven AI solutions. Arina’s openness to risk and innovation paid off. “Crisis is opportunity,” she says confidently. “It means the environment has changed and you have to adapt.” The company didn’t just survive; they thrived, developing AI models that revolutionize how motor insurance companies assess risk. With AI, K2G made insurance not only smarter but, surprisingly, a lot more exciting. “AI gives insurance a chance to be fancy,” she quips, emphasizing how AI-driven solutions make the field creative and dynamic.
Crisis is opportunity
Arina ManCEO at K2G
Regulatory concerns? Arina brushes them off with a pragmatic view. While some companies gripe about navigating new AI regulations, she finds them refreshingly broad and generous. The real challenge, she believes, is making AI meaningful without scaring people. “Good AI doesn’t replace jobs; it creates smarter ways to do them,” she says. Now, as K2G continues to grow, Arina’s sights are set on expanding beyond Europe—strategically and cautiously. She knows better than anyone that success is a marathon, not a sprint, especially when you’re turning crises into gold.
Why Arina Man Believes in Crisis, Chaos, and Forgetting Work-Life Balance
Arina Man isn’t just unafraid of problems—she actually welcomes them. “I like crisis,” she says with a grin. “It gives you potential and forces you to grow.” In her world, crisis isn’t just a test; it’s an invitation to innovate. But don’t get the wrong idea. While Arina thrives on solving problems, she knows stability is what her team and clients crave. “You can’t drag a company from crisis to crisis just because you enjoy it,” she admits. Her strategy? Be prepared. That means airtight contracts, clean code, and proactive planning to make the next crisis, as she puts it, “more enjoyable.”
When it comes to scaling a startup, Arina dismisses the idea of a rigid, long-term strategy. “Strategy is for mature companies,” she explains. For a young, dynamic venture like K2G, flexibility is key. In fact, she’s had to adjust her company’s strategy twice this year alone. Her approach? Lay out a one-year vision, communicate it clearly to her team, and be ready to adapt on the fly. “Speed is one of our KPIs,” she emphasizes, because staying agile is the only way to keep up in the tech and finance sectors.
And if you’re thinking about following in her entrepreneurial footsteps, be prepared to make sacrifices. “Forget work-life balance,” Arina says bluntly. She recalls a time when she was so immersed in the business that her kids were still wearing summer shoes in the winter. Family life takes a backseat, and hobbies? Nonexistent. But for Arina, it’s worth it. “Switch off your nerves and just push through,” she advises. Startup life isn’t for everyone, but for those who can stomach the chaos, she promises it’s one of the most rewarding experiences out there.
