"SMEs make up 50% of GDP in most developed countries yet remain off-limits to many investors. I believe, that offering small businesses and their owners liquidity through connection to the capital markets and investors, eager to participate in the great growth potential of these businesses, is the solution to creating value for small businesses and investors." | Callum Laing
About Callum Laing
Callum Laing is the Founder of the Veblen Director Programme and a Partner at Unity Group. He has also served as CEO, Chair, or Director of multiple public and private companies. With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, Callum has founded and grown companies across various countries and industries, focusing primarily on helping small businesses access capital markets for the past decade.
Callum's career began with Network-IT, a specialist consultancy and recruitment company he co-founded in the Netherlands in 2000 and later sold. In 2002, he relocated from the UK to Asia, where he established enterprises in mobile technology, customer relationship management, and sporting/lifestyle events. One notable venture was Networking for Success, which expanded to 36 networks across seven countries before its sale in 2010. He also owned the Samui International Yacht Regatta and launched Fitness-Buffet, a company valued at US$10 million, operating in 11 countries.
In 2015, Callum became a partner at Unity Group, assisting business owners in expanding and exiting their businesses through public markets. Since then, he has completed over 100 M&A transactions, with most reaching public markets.
Callum is the author of four business books. His bestsellers include 'Progressive Partnerships – The Future of Business,' 'Agglomerate – From Idea to IPO in 12 months' co-authored with Jeremy Harbour, and 'Entrepreneurial Investing.' His latest book, 'Boardroom Blueprint,' has just been released. Through platforms like AsianEntrepreneur and EnterpriseZone, he has published over 2,500 interviews with entrepreneurs, leaders, and investors worldwide.
Born in New Zealand and raised in Cambridge, England, Callum is a seasoned entrepreneur and business professional, regularly featured in media and as a public speaker at global events. He has also held positions as High Commissioner to Singapore for the World Business Angel Forum and Ambassador to DealGateway.com. Callum resides in Singapore with his wife and two daughters.
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Publications by Callum Laing
Entrepreneurial Investing
Imagine being offered a chance to invest in a solid, debt-free, profitable company that was going to go public tomorrow at below market rates. Now imagine getting that offer twenty or more times a year. This is the model that Callum Laing and his team have been working on since 2015. By marrying the capital markets with the small business ecosystem, Entrepreneurial Investing shows you how you can start investing today in projects that have the fast growth of a tech company, the dividend policy of your favourite cash cow and the job impact that most governments can only dream of.
Entrepreneurial Investing shows investors how to:
• Connect with good, profitable small businesses
• Ensure that your capital investment serves to grow business and invest in its people
• Profit from small businesses while having all the liquidity and risk mitigation of a big PLC
From serial entrepreneur and M&A expert Jeremy Harbor, and the author of Progressive Partnerships Callum Laing: a revolutionary book that debunks the myths around entrepreneurship and proposes a disruptive new collaborative model for rapidly growing small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
“Thank-you for this book - I have always been fascinated by the dizzy heights of the stock market and IPO world, also excited and amazed hearing the stories of fellow entrepreneurs selling their shares for so many millions, whilst obtaining scale and liquidity, alas I had thought that was just for those ‘special ones’ and not me, but after reading this book I can dream again and believe that yes one of those stories could be about me one day.”
- Michael Chittenden, Founder of The Investors Lever
“Callum has pulled back the curtains on the mystery of creating successful partnership in his book, Progressive Partnerships The Future of Business.
Simple frameworks coupled with actionable steps shows how every business person can be a small giant in their space of expertise by leveraging on other people’s resources. A definite must read book.”
Cheryl Liew-Chng, Creator of The 24Hour Woman
“Whatever size your business is, getting the right strategic business partnerships in place is fundamental tosuccess. Callum has been creating partnerships for decades and in this book breaks down how anyonecan follow his steps to partnership success”
Jean-Michel Wu, Chief Talent Officer at McCann WorldGroup APAC
Boost Your Career With a Board Seat in 60 Days
"Boardroom Blueprint" distills Laing's extensive experience into a straightforward five-component methodology, challenging conventional career advancement methods. This compact, easy-to-digest book is brimming with actionable insights, real-life case studies, and powerful calls to action. It is the ultimate roadmap for those determined to secure a coveted position at the table, boosting not only their careers but also their personal wealth.
“Callum Laing’s ‘Boardroom Blueprint’ is an indispensable guide for professionals aspiring to elevate their careers to the boardroom level. His insightful strategies, drawn from years of experience, provide a practical roadmap to acquiring that coveted board seat.”
Sir Darren Jacklin (ROC)
10 Years Board of Directors eXp World Holdings, (NASDAQ: EXPI)
