About Us
Havana Strategies LLC is a boutique consulting firm that is the trusted advisor to companies interested in pursuing business opportunities with Cuba. We create value for clients through a suite of services that position companies for long-term success in the Cuban market.
Mission
Havana Strategies believes that increased engagement between Cuba and the U.S. will benefit both countries. By working with U.S. companies to facilitate trade and investment Havana Strategies endeavors to create value not only for clients but also for the Cuban and American people.
The Havana Strategies Advantage
Havana Strategies is uniquely positioned to help U.S. companies succeed. One of the few American companies that draws from on-the-ground experience doing business in Cuba, Havana Strategies benefits from a deep understanding of the regulatory context and the local operating environment. This experience combined with comprehensive knowledge of the political dynamics on both sides of the Florida Straits and an extensive network of relationships in Havana, Miami, Washington and beyond provides clients with an unparalleled advantage in Cuba.
Experience
The managing partners of Havana Strategies have experience launching, managing and advising businesses in challenging frontier markets. Cuba-specific experience on policy, government relations, and business management spans over a decade, including:
- Advising U.S. companies on market entry strategies, media relations, government affairs, and risk analysis regarding Cuba business transactions
- Working with policy makers, the media, and business interests in the U.S. to change U.S. policy towards Cuba
- Organizing the visits of U.S. lawmakers and companies to Cuba
- Establishing thought leadership on Cuba through publications on U.S.-Cuba relations and the Cuban economy
- Managing an operationally intensive business on-the-ground in Cuba in accordance with both U.S. and Cuban regulations
- Bringing Cuban business people, academics, and cultural figures to the U.S.
- Sponsoring, organizing, and implementing conferences, workshops and training sessions for Cuban business people
Services
The Challenge: Cuba is Complicated
U.S. companies wishing to do business with Cuba must navigate one of the most complex legal and regulatory landscapes in existence. The restrictions are two-sided with both the U.S. and Cuban governments limiting the types of permissible activities and requiring complicated processes for pursuing these. Companies interested in doing business in Cuba must develop a strategy appropriate for the Cuban context. Failure to do so costs time and money.
The Opportunity: Cuba is Changing
Policy changes in Washington and ongoing economic reform in Cuba are altering the trade and investment trajectory in Cuba. U.S. companies can now legally engage with several sectors of the Cuban economy. Companies that want to establish a presence in the Cuban market need to act now to take advantage of near-term opportunities and to position themselves for long-term success.
Fact Finding Missions
For most companies, the initial step in developing a Cuba strategy is to takea first hand look at the local operating environment. Havana Strategies offers curated trips that include meetings with economists, research centers, sector specialists, foreign diplomats, international business operators, local entrepreneurs, Cuban officials, Ministries, and State-Owned Enterprises.
Havana Strategies creates an agenda that is tailored to client's needs and handles the end-to-end process of fact-finding missions, including all legal permissions, travel arrangements, and on-the-ground logistics.
Havana Strategies' sister company, Cuba Educational Travel (CET), is licensed by the U.S. Treasury Department to conduct “people to people” travel to Cuba for U.S. Citizens. CET has managed more than 500 trips over the past 3 years. Clients include AirBnB, The Grammys, Harvard Business School, Netflix, Wharton School of Management, World Affairs Council of Atlanta, The World Bank’s 1818 Society, and various Young Presidents Organizations.
Market Intelligence Reports
Havana Strategies has access to a deep network of experts in Cuba and abroad. This network enables us to provide customized market research and due diligence for clients. This includes assessments of specific business sectors, infrastructure surveys, feasibility studies, partner assessments, policy analysis, and more.
Media Strategy
The managing partners of Havana Strategies have a long and successful history of working with companies on media strategy. Our comprehensive press list and strong relationships with news agencies that cover Cuba, combined with a deep understanding of the political complexities of Cuba-related issues in the United States, enables us to develop highly effective media strategies for clients.
OFAC Guidance
Havana Strategies provides guidance on how to remain in compliance with the ongoing economic sanctions the U.S. government applies to Cuba. While the U.S. government regulates travel and trade from the U.S. to Cuba and prohibits investment in Cuba, there are a number of trade and travel activities that are permissible, including agreements in telecommunications, financial services, travel, agriculture and dealings with the private sector. Havana Strategies provides assistance in ensuring full compliance with all laws and regulations for current and future opportunities.
Government Affairs
Havana Strategies assists companies in their interactions with the U.S. and Cuban governments. The “Cuba issue” in the United States remains complex and, at times, politically controversial. Moreover, the comprehensive nature of U.S. sanctions against Cuba makes the rules difficult to navigate. Havana Strategies has strong relationships throughout the key U.S. government agencies (for instance, Commerce, State Department and Treasury), as well as partnerships with members in the U.S. Congress.
In Cuba, Havana Strategies has a long-standing relationship with the Cuban government and an understanding of effective strategies in business partnerships with Cuban counterparts.
Legal Services
Havana Strategies works with Cuban lawyers to offer a range of basic legal services in Cuba. These services include the legalization of corporate documents, trademark registration, legal opinions and briefs, and other legal advice during the exploration and establishment stage.
Havana Strategies also works closely with the preeminent Cuba-focused lawyers in the United States to facilitate detailed legal guidance on U.S. policies towards Cuba.
Local Representation
Havana Strategies provides local representation for companies that are either exploring business opportunities or are actively engaging with Cuba but are not yet able to have a full-fledged presence in the country. These services enable clients to manage relationships, quickly resolve issues, and explore opportunities prior to having an established team on the ground.
Brand Presence
Havana Strategies assists companies in obtaining brand recognition in Cuba. Currently there is no advertising industry in Cuba. The media is state controlled and typical advertising channels (for example, billboards, print, radio, TV) are virtually non-existent. Companies need to be creative in how they develop brand awareness and customer loyalty while at the same time conforming to both U.S. and Cuban regulations. Havana Strategies helps firm establish a brand presence in conformity with the legal framework.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Supporting impactful social and cultural projects is important for companies’ reputation and long-term success in the Cuban market. The managing partners of Havana Strategies have over 10 years of experience working with Cuban organizations on interchange programs, fundraisers, sponsorships, and community events. We have the established relationships and on-the-ground experience required to execute philanthropic activities successfully.
Our People
Managing Partner
Collin is a leading Cuba expert. He has 10 years of experience working on Cuba policy and business issues and has been based in Havana since 2005. He initially worked at the Center for Democracy in Americas (CDA), a Washington D.C.-based policy advocacy group focused on improving relations between Washington and Havana. At CDA, he directed the Cuba program and led dozens of Members of Congress to Cuba for fact-finding visits.
Collin is the author of "Cuba's New Resolve: Economic Reform and Implications for U.S. Policy," and has been published and quoted extensively by the Associated Press, Miami Herald, New York Times, Reuters, Wall Street Journal and a number of other media outlets. In 2012, he started Cuba Education Travel, a company that offers curated travel to the island for bar associations, business groups, companies, think tanks, trade groups, and universities.
Collin has a Masters in International Affairs from the International Relations and Pacific Studies program at UC San Diego.
Managing Partner
Michael is an entrepreneur with experience launching and managing businesses in frontier markets. He began his career working in international development to strengthen health systems and improve global health supply chains in developing countries. He then shifted to the private sector where he developed the market entry strategy for a multinational distribution company to expand into new markets across sub-Saharan Africa. When South Sudan gained independence in 2011, he launched and managed the country office of a regional supply chain company.
In 2012, Michael founded Baobab Ltd, which invests and provides advisory services in frontier markets. Through Baobab, he co-founded and served as the CEO of Sitico Fuel, a downstream petroleum trading and distribution company. He also served as the Director of Global Strategy and Business Development for another Baobab portfolio company, Amoo Holdings International Ltd.
Michael has a Masters of Engineering in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)-Zaragoza International Logistics Program.
Contact
Phone: +1.305.908.3840
info@havanastrategies.com