Lemonade hires business development exec from Spotify

Renters and homeowners' insurtech Lemonade has hired Jorge Espinel as chief business development officer.

Espinel previously worked for the music-streaming service Spotify leading global business development. Prior to that he was the EVP, Strategy & Corporate Development of 21st Century Fox’s Digital Media Group and headed AOL’s Corporate Strategy and M&A, where he drove corporate development activities. He reports to Lemonade CEO and cofounder Daniel Schreiber.

“For years, we've admired how Spotify achieved spectacular growth through innovative partnerships. Few people and few companies have accomplished what Jorge did with Spotify,” said Shai Wininger, Lemonade COO and cofounder. “Our own ambition is to make Lemonade one of the iconic global brands of the 21st century, and having Jorge join our team is a big step towards that goal.”

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Under his new role Espinel will spearhead partnerships and corporate development worldwide, while assisting in growing Lemonade's AI-powered product offering. He says he's excited to shift from the media business to insurance: When offered the position by Schreiber, though it represented a big leap from the music industry, he was receptive because he was being offered “the opportunity to help transform an industry essential to people’s lives: insurance,” shared Espinel. "Bringing Lemonade's transparency, cutting-edge technology, and innovative business model to new markets and partners worldwide is an extraordinary mission that I embrace with enthusiasm,” he continues.

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