Curt Laird Email & Phone Number

Nairobi County, Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya

ReFrontier is an ecosystem of impact investing and development that works towards human flourishing in frontier markets. It is business muscle and development heart; a for-profit holding company and a non-profit development organization joined at a strategic level for the synergy and critical mass that is missing from so many impact investment efforts. At its very core, it is a sustainable leadership factory committed to catalyzing the 3.5% of citizens needed to create a movement.

Nairobi, Kenya

Frontier market investments, investment advice, and business consulting for foreign companies and donors working in challenging international markets that require an experienced, on-the-ground operator. • Investments in blockchain, financial services, agro-business, and sharing economy start-ups. • Business and leadership consulting for start-ups in agro-business, wholesale and retail pharmaceuticals, cyber security, and logistics.

Nairobi, Kenya

I am a tip-of-the-spear entrepreneur and investor with over twenty-five years of experience starting, building, and managing businesses in frontier and emerging markets, including a billion-dollar mobile phone company in Afghanistan. In The Culture Key, I draw on my hard-won experience to introduce courageous investors and entrepreneurs to the foundational skills and knowledge that are needed to find, build, and successfully manage thriving businesses in the world’s most challenging… Show more I am a tip-of-the-spear entrepreneur and investor with over twenty-five years of experience starting, building, and managing businesses in frontier and emerging markets, including a billion-dollar mobile phone company in Afghanistan. In The Culture Key, I draw on my hard-won experience to introduce courageous investors and entrepreneurs to the foundational skills and knowledge that are needed to find, build, and successfully manage thriving businesses in the world’s most challenging economies. I argue that entrepreneurs and investors in frontier and emerging markets struggle not because they lack business acumen, but because they frequently fail to develop and operate with the intercultural intelligence that is critical to success in these markets.Rather than setting out a limited (and limiting) list of cultural dos and don’ts, the book presents a tool to help impact and social investors identify, interpret, and respond effectively to the underlying beliefs that drive decisions and behaviors in frontier and emerging markets. Impact and social investors who want to have a deep and lasting impact on the countries they invest in need to understand the beliefs and mindsets that determine business decisions in those markets. They must have the intercultural intelligence to operate wisely and effectively while maximizing the positive impact of their investments. The concepts and tools in The Culture Key are fundamental to sustainable success.Using stories and examples, I unpack the underlying cultural principles that govern business in these geographies and offer a roadmap forward. These are more than theories; I've used every principle and tool I share in the most difficult markets. Show less

Kabul, Afghanistan

Established and operated Afghanistan’s first full-service business accelerator with $5M grant from US Government. • Sourced, vetted, and invested in 40 start-ups and existing SMEs. • Designed and implemented growth programs for portfolio companies, achieving minimum 30% YoY growth. • Clients included pharmaceutical manufacturers, food processing factories, and the “Uber” of Afghanistan. • Recruited, trained, and coached local and expat staff in… Show more Established and operated Afghanistan’s first full-service business accelerator with $5M grant from US Government. • Sourced, vetted, and invested in 40 start-ups and existing SMEs. • Designed and implemented growth programs for portfolio companies, achieving minimum 30% YoY growth. • Clients included pharmaceutical manufacturers, food processing factories, and the “Uber” of Afghanistan. • Recruited, trained, and coached local and expat staff in business consulting to reach accelerator sustainability. • Wrote and edited reports for donors and stakeholders. • Managed stakeholder relationships. Show less

Kabul, Afghanistan

Founded and led a 50-employee leadership and business skills training company, doubling annual revenue each year to $2M. Developed and delivered customized, 6-12-month intensive training and coaching to senior Afghan business and government leaders. Delivered highly-experiential, intense training using exercises and deep debriefing to expose and shift limiting leadership mindsets. Clients reported transformational improvements in leadership effectiveness, creativity, and innovation… Show more Founded and led a 50-employee leadership and business skills training company, doubling annual revenue each year to $2M. Developed and delivered customized, 6-12-month intensive training and coaching to senior Afghan business and government leaders. Delivered highly-experiential, intense training using exercises and deep debriefing to expose and shift limiting leadership mindsets. Clients reported transformational improvements in leadership effectiveness, creativity, and innovation. Clients included: • Roshan Telecoms – leadership and business skills training for top 70 leaders over three years • Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI) – leadership training for top 40 Afghan leaders over two years • US State Dept. program – leadership training for 120 Afghan women leaders over two years, including senior female police officers • Rabia Balkhi Women’s Hospital – management and leadership training for the executive management team over one year Show less

Kabul, Afghanistan

Afghanistan's largest mobile phone network and largest private company. Member of the founding senior management team. Helped grow the company from zero to $200 million revenue in 3 years. Built and managed the Regional Team which was responsible for business in areas outside Kabul. At resignation handed all responsibilities to my Afghan deputy as part of first "Afghanization" succession.

Greater Seattle Area

Bought and successfully turned around a bankrupt electronic and hardware security service company. • Grew from bankruptcy to $1M in annual sales. • Completely redesigned and implemented new financial system. • Created and launched new marketing strategy and campaign. • Negotiated successful sale of business.

Greater Seattle Area

Delivered extended technical sales to airlines in 20 countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Navigated multiple cultures to secure client trust and develop tailored marketing strategies. Credited with saving aircraft data management program by deploying technical and cross-cultural skills to address Airbus and Air France concerns.

Bsee, Electrical And Electronics Engineering

Bsee, Engineering