Armin Kia was part of our Full-time MBA class of 2014. Now, he's co-founder and CEO of Driverly – an Insurtech startup using AI-powered intelligence to revolutionise the car insurance customer journey
His journey, marked by innovation, persistence, and the enduring strength of his MBA network, is a powerful example of how business education can fuel entrepreneurial success.
Driving a vision for change after AMBS
After completing his MBA in 2014, Armin spent seven years at Admiral Group, where he focused on product innovation and new business development. During this time, he became acutely aware of the limitations in traditional underwriting and pricing models used in car insurance.
"The opportunity to leverage AI and digital technology to disrupt this space was too exciting to ignore," says Armin. With early support from high-calibre investors, including several MBA classmates, Driverly was born. The company's goal was to provide fairer, more accurate pricing using real-time driving behaviour, rather than outdated demographic models.
Armin Kia, Driverly CEO and Full-time MBA alumni
How Driverly is revolutionising the car insurance industry
With an AI-powered approach, the company is shifting risk assessment from outdated demographic models to real-time driving behaviour. This ensures fairer and more accurate pricing for customers.
"We provide car insurers with AI-powered geo-intelligence data that helps them assess customer risk based on real-time driving behaviour rather than outdated demographic factors," explains Armin.
"Our technology eliminates the need for intrusive black-box devices by leveraging smartphone data, making it more accessible and cost-effective for insurers and customers alike."
A strategic pivot that kickstarted Driverly's growth stage
Six months ago, Armin made the decision to pivot from a consumer-facing startup to a business-to-business (B2B) model.
The results have been nothing short of remarkable. Driverly has since secured over 15 clients across the UK and Spain, including major insurers, aggregators, fleet operators, and mobility firms.
"Our collaborations with institutions like Alliance Manchester Business School, the University of South Wales, and CEMET have significantly advanced our AI technology," Armin explains. "We're now using satellite data and contextual driving insights to enhance our risk assessment models."
Driverly's product is live with several high-profile partners, including a top UK insurer, a global fleet operator, and a leading price comparison site.
The company has also expanded its team, raised additional funding, and is on track to meet key revenue goals, cementing its status as a growth-stage business with industry impact.
The lasting value of an MBA
Armin credits the Manchester Full-time MBA with shaping every aspect of his entrepreneurial journey. "The programme gave me a broad business perspective including, finance, strategy, leadership, and marketing that I apply daily as a CEO," he says.
He highlights four areas in particular:
- Entrepreneurial mindset: Spotting inefficiencies and designing scalable solutions.
- Problem-solving: Applying a consulting-led, case-based approach to complex challenges.
- Leadership and operations: Scaling lean teams, managing burn, and planning for funding rounds while leading a fast-growing startup across multiple markets.
- Networking: Building his co-founding team, early customer base, and even his investor circle from within the AMBS community.
"Strategy was always my favourite subject," Armin says. "It still guides how I think about product-market fit, competitive advantage, and long-term growth. But the collaborative nature of the MBA, working under pressure with diverse teams, prepared me for the reality of startup life better than anything else."
The Driverly team
The power of the AMBS network
Seven of Armin's fellow MBA classmates have invested in Driverly, reflecting the strength and longevity of relationships built during the programme.
Dimitar Iliev, a fellow 2014 graduate and investor, believes Driverly is one of a few startups capable of disrupting the Insurtech industry. "They're enabling real-data decision-making and opening up service customisation in a way that's truly transformative," he says.
Jason Havinga, another classmate, was so impressed he joined the company's advisory board. "Their adaptability and forward-thinking approach make them stand out. I invested because I believe in the team and the tech," he adds.
Armin sums it up simply: "The AMBS community gave me more than an education-it gave me a lasting support network of smart, driven people who believe in building meaningful, impactful businesses."
A valuable network: the Full-time MBA Class of 2014 at their graduation
Why Alliance Manchester Business School?
For Armin, choosing AMBS was a strategic decision. The school's focus on real-life consulting projects helped him apply theory to practice. The diversity of the international student base gave him exposure to global markets, knowledge he now draws on as Driverly scales across the UK and Europe.
His favourite MBA memory? The International Business Project, where his team won the award for the best project in 18 years of AMBS collaborations. "It felt like real business," he recalls. "We built our own team, bid for the project, worked with clients, and delivered results."
Learn about the MBA programme that shaped Armin’s entrepreneurial success.