Equal Ventures Appointed Insurance Executive Garrett Koehn
The venture firm is recruiting seasoned operational leaders to improve executive engagement with founders.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in People
Equal Ventures has appointed Garrett Koehn as a venture partner, a move aimed at enhancing the firm's ability to engage with executive decision-makers. Koehn, who brings 25 years of commercial insurance experience, transitioned into this role after recently serving as a senior advisor at MGT.
Why it matters
The firm is recalibrating its staffing strategy to better address the complex needs of founders. By hiring talent with deep operational experience, Equal Ventures intends to bridge the gap between investment strategy and high-level corporate decision-making.
Koehn oversaw operations involving $10 billion in annual written premiums at CRC during his 15-year tenure at the firm. His move to Equal Ventures follows a 25-year career in commercial insurance, including his final role at CRC held from January 2024 to February 2026.
The players
Equal Ventures
An investment firm that is shifting its internal staffing strategy to provide founders with better access to executive-level expertise.
Garrett Koehn
A veteran insurance executive with 25 years of industry experience who previously managed operations for $10 billion in annual written premiums.
CRC
A commercial insurance organization where Koehn spent 15 years, most recently serving as chief innovation officer.
MGT
A professional services organization where Koehn served as a senior advisor before joining Equal Ventures.
The details
Equal Ventures is evolving its internal structure to provide founders with access to executive-level operational expertise. Koehn’s background in managing large-scale insurance operations provides a specific lens for navigating executive decision-making. The firm stated this shift in staffing strategy is designed to better align its support services with the current demands of the market.
Timeline
Koehn began his final role at CRC in January 2024.
Koehn concluded his tenure at CRC in February 2026.
Koehn became a senior advisor at MGT in March 2026.
Equal Ventures announced the appointment of Koehn on September 29, 2026.
Market Landscape
This appointment follows a broader industry trend where venture firms increasingly prioritize hiring former corporate executives to provide portfolio companies with specialized operational guidance. It reflects an evolution where capital providers compete by offering high-level executive access rather than just funding.
Business operators should monitor how venture firms adjust their service models as competition for founder talent intensifies. Expect firms to continue adding former executives to their teams, potentially shifting the value proposition for founders seeking growth support.
The takeaway
Firms are increasingly prioritizing operational expertise to help portfolio companies scale effectively. Operators should track these personnel shifts as a signal of where venture firms are placing their bets for the coming market cycle.
Further reading
For more on shifts in venture firm staffing and leadership, see our coverage in People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Theinsurer.
