# State Auto Labs

State Auto Labs is a Private Equity based in Columbus, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Private Equity
- **Headquarters:** Columbus, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Columbus, OH, United States
- **Founded:** 2017
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** stateautolabs.com

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

State Auto Labs is a Columbus, Ohio-based firm founded in 2017. It invests in technologies, distribution, data, products, and operational solutions sectors. State Auto Labs has made 11 investments, including a June 2023 investment in Driver Technologies, and has 2 portfolio exits, including Cape Analytics in January 2025.

## Sectors

- InsurTech
- Enterprise Software
- Mobility & Transportation
- AI/ML

## People

- Kim Garland — Managing Director

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at State Auto Labs?

Kim Garland leads the investment team as managing director. Garland joined State Auto from Nationwide Ventures and previously held strategy roles at McKinsey and Allstate. Investment committee decisions route through State Auto's corporate strategy leadership, reflecting the lab's position within the parent company rather than as a standalone fund.

### How does State Auto Labs source deal flow?

Sourcing combines inbound founder relationships, co-investor networks, and insurtech ecosystem events. The lab leverages State Auto's underwriting and claims leadership to identify technology gaps in auto, home, and small business lines—translating operational pain points into investment theses. The parent's independent agent network also surfaces distribution-oriented startups.

### Does State Auto Labs raise external capital or invest from a dedicated fund?

No. State Auto Labs invests directly from State Auto's corporate balance sheet. Because it does not manage third-party limited partners, it carries no formal fund lifecycle or management fee structure. Each investment is approved as a corporate treasury allocation rather than a fund drawdown.

### What is State Auto Labs' relationship to Liberty Mutual?

Liberty Mutual acquired State Auto Financial Corporation in 2022 for approximately $2 billion. Following the acquisition, State Auto Labs continued operating in Columbus, and in 2024 Liberty Mutual folded the lab's activities into Liberty Mutual Strategic Ventures, its broader corporate venture arm. The Columbus presence and insurtech focus persist under the combined structure.

## Related profiles

- [Start-up Express](https://altss.com/profile/start-up-express)
- [State Farm Ventures](https://altss.com/profile/state-farm-ventures)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

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