The 70% Denial Rate Problem: Counter’s Mission to Transform Disability Benefits
Manage episode 493708965 series 3654798
In this episode of Founders Future, host Ammar Elm sits down with Charlee Wilson, the dynamic co-founder of Counter—a financial tech startup revolutionizing disability claims through AI and human support. Charlee shares how Counter was born from personal tragedy when co-founder Cameron Brown lost his ability to walk in 2021, exposing the broken bureaucracy of disability systems. With their proprietary algorithm (built in-house by CTO Kaylin Maynor), Counter streamlines claims, avoids the 70% denial rate plaguing applicants, and charges a fraction of traditional attorney fees—all while offering financial wellness tools. Charlee also reveals how Counter partners with insurers like Northwestern Mutual to embed their solution into employer benefits, creating a safety net for gig workers and underserved communities.
Beyond Counter, Charlee wears multiple entrepreneurial hats, from running Thunder Horse Outfitters (featured in Nat Geo) to equestrian recruiting. She opens up about the challenges of scaling a mission-driven startup—broker education, awareness gaps, and maintaining lean operations—while staying true to Counter’s "people over profit" ethos. For aspiring founders, Charlee’s advice is refreshingly human-centric: "Find a team that’s got your back when the dice are down," and don’t quit your day job too soon. With plans to expand into pet insurance and other sectors, Charlee’s vision is clear: use tech to make financial systems fairer, one claim at a time.
1240 episodes