seyna is building an insurance-as-a-service startup for the french market
Seyna Announces New Leadership
A change in leadership is occurring at the French startup Seyna. Stephen Leguillon has been appointed as the new chief executive officer of the company.
Philippe Mangematin, the previous CEO, is transitioning away from daily operational responsibilities due to personal commitments. He will assume the role of honorary chairman.
Understanding Seyna’s Business Model
Seyna operates as an insurtech startup and has notably secured a full insurance license. This license focuses on property and casualty insurance.
The granting of this license by the French regulator (ACPR) is particularly noteworthy, as it represents the first new license issued in this category since 1983.
Insurance-as-a-Service Approach
Seyna employs a unique go-to-market strategy. Rather than directly selling insurance to end consumers, the company focuses on providing insurance-as-a-service.
This involves partnering with other businesses, allowing them to offer Seyna’s insurance products under their own branding.
Technical Infrastructure and API
At its core, Seyna provides an API – a programming interface enabling interaction between different services – for generating insurance contracts on demand.
Direct access to Seyna’s interface is also available for contract management purposes.
Proprietary Insurance System
A key differentiator for Seyna is its internally developed core insurance system. This distinguishes it from more established, legacy insurance providers.
The system is capable of generating a wide range of insurance product variations, covering approximately 20 different types of insurance, including pet insurance, event cancellation coverage, and rent guarantees.
Current clients of Seyna include Garantme and Decathlon.
Stephen Leguillon’s Background
Prior to joining Seyna, Stephen Leguillon was a co-founder of La Belle Assiette, a platform connecting users with private chefs for in-home dining experiences.
He also spearheaded the development of GoCater, a corporate catering service, which was later spun out of La Belle Assiette and acquired by ezCater.
Funding and Capital Requirements
Seyna has successfully raised a €14 million seed funding round, equivalent to approximately $17 million based on current exchange rates.
This investment came from Global Founders Capital, Allianz France, Financière Saint James, and a group of angel investors.
Given the substantial capital typically required to operate an insurance company, the size of Seyna’s seed round is considerable within the French market.
Romain Dillet
Romain Dillet: A Profile of a Leading Tech Journalist
Romain Dillet served as a Senior Reporter for TechCrunch until April 2025. Throughout his tenure, he became a recognized authority within the technology sector.
Extensive Experience and Expertise
Having authored more than 3,500 articles, Dillet has cultivated a strong reputation as a key voice concerning European technology. His areas of expertise are broad, encompassing startups, AI, fintech, privacy, security, blockchain, mobile technology, social media, and the broader media landscape.
Dillet’s thirteen years with TechCrunch have made him a well-known figure within the publication. TechCrunch is renowned for its comprehensive coverage of Silicon Valley and the technology industry as a whole. He initially joined TechCrunch at the age of 21.
A Paris-Based Industry Insider
Currently based in Paris, Romain Dillet is widely regarded by many within the tech community as the most informed tech journalist in the city. He possesses an exceptional ability to identify promising startups at an early stage.
Early Coverage of Notable Companies
Dillet was the first journalist to report on Revolut, Alan, and N26. He is also credited with breaking news regarding significant acquisitions made by major companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Snap.
Technical Depth and Historical Perspective
Beyond his journalistic skills, Romain Dillet is also a proficient developer. This technical understanding allows him to analyze the underlying mechanisms of new technologies effectively.
Furthermore, he maintains a comprehensive understanding of the computer industry’s evolution over the last 50 years. This historical knowledge enables him to discern connections between innovations and their societal impact.
Educational Background and Philanthropic Work
Romain Dillet is a graduate of Emlyon Business School, a prominent French institution specializing in entrepreneurship. He actively supports various non-profit organizations.
- He has contributed to StartHer, an organization dedicated to advancing education and empowerment for women in technology.
- He also supports Techfugees, which focuses on leveraging technology to empower displaced individuals.