Startups are known for their quirky office culture, but Corgi Insurance, part of Y Combinator’s Summer 2024 batch (YC S24), has taken the cake — or rather, the kibble. A recent LinkedIn post by software engineer Derrick Ha has taken the internet by surprose, not for a new tech innovation or fundraising milestone, but for the company’s most unexpectedly strategic asset: a corgi named Trudy.
In the post, Ha wrote, "I asked Nico Laqua (my CEO) why we have a $16,000 office dog. His answer shocked me." The response from CEO Nico Laqua was equal parts hilarious and thought-provoking: "It's because the dog is high ROI. Everything we do here at Corgi Insurance is high leverage."
As unusual as it sounds, Laqua wasn’t joking. He broke down the dog’s contribution to the company’s productivity in surprisingly logical terms — and it wasn’t just puppy love.
A Corgi-Led Culture of High Leverage
Trudy, the beloved office corgi, isn’t just a pet; she’s a catalyst for productivity and morale. According to Laqua, engineers at the startup come to the office earlier just to play with her — a routine that’s resulted in a 10% boost in productivity. The pup also reportedly contributes to stress reduction among engineers working seven days a week, offering an additional 3% productivity lift. And then there are the mandatory 15-minute dog walks, which Laqua says help improve focus, accounting for another 5% gain.
While the math may be a bit fuzzy, the sentiment certainly isn’t. In an industry often consumed by output, deadlines, and burnout, the idea that a dog could foster happier, more focused employees offers a refreshing pivot.
Ha, still an intern at the company, concluded humorously: “I didn’t know Trudy was so integral to our office culture, but after Nico's ROI analysis, I now understand why I'm still an intern.”
Trudy Takes Over the Internet
As expected, the internet did not stay silent. One user crowned Trudy the “Director of Napping and Treats,” while another quipped, “Who knew a corgi could be a secret productivity weapon? Props to Nico for turning belly rubs and walkies into a full-on ROI pitch.”
Another comment joked, “My dog asked if he could intern,” capturing the whimsical mood of the post and the many others who began to see the logic in Laqua’s unorthodox approach to productivity.
When Workplaces Go to the Dogs and Win
In an age where companies are rethinking everything from hybrid models to four-day workweeks, Corgi Insurance’s approach suggests that sometimes the answer to workplace efficiency isn't in the cloud — it's on a leash. Trudy represents a softer, more humane way of working: one that values joy, companionship, and emotional well-being.
As more startups seek to balance hustle with health, maybe Trudy isn’t just a corgi — maybe she’s the future of workplace culture.
In the post, Ha wrote, "I asked Nico Laqua (my CEO) why we have a $16,000 office dog. His answer shocked me." The response from CEO Nico Laqua was equal parts hilarious and thought-provoking: "It's because the dog is high ROI. Everything we do here at Corgi Insurance is high leverage."
As unusual as it sounds, Laqua wasn’t joking. He broke down the dog’s contribution to the company’s productivity in surprisingly logical terms — and it wasn’t just puppy love.
A Corgi-Led Culture of High Leverage
Trudy, the beloved office corgi, isn’t just a pet; she’s a catalyst for productivity and morale. According to Laqua, engineers at the startup come to the office earlier just to play with her — a routine that’s resulted in a 10% boost in productivity. The pup also reportedly contributes to stress reduction among engineers working seven days a week, offering an additional 3% productivity lift. And then there are the mandatory 15-minute dog walks, which Laqua says help improve focus, accounting for another 5% gain.
While the math may be a bit fuzzy, the sentiment certainly isn’t. In an industry often consumed by output, deadlines, and burnout, the idea that a dog could foster happier, more focused employees offers a refreshing pivot.
Ha, still an intern at the company, concluded humorously: “I didn’t know Trudy was so integral to our office culture, but after Nico's ROI analysis, I now understand why I'm still an intern.”
Trudy Takes Over the Internet
As expected, the internet did not stay silent. One user crowned Trudy the “Director of Napping and Treats,” while another quipped, “Who knew a corgi could be a secret productivity weapon? Props to Nico for turning belly rubs and walkies into a full-on ROI pitch.”
Another comment joked, “My dog asked if he could intern,” capturing the whimsical mood of the post and the many others who began to see the logic in Laqua’s unorthodox approach to productivity.
When Workplaces Go to the Dogs and Win
In an age where companies are rethinking everything from hybrid models to four-day workweeks, Corgi Insurance’s approach suggests that sometimes the answer to workplace efficiency isn't in the cloud — it's on a leash. Trudy represents a softer, more humane way of working: one that values joy, companionship, and emotional well-being.
As more startups seek to balance hustle with health, maybe Trudy isn’t just a corgi — maybe she’s the future of workplace culture.
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