Entrepreneur and Investor Denis Lagutenko

Winner of the “Digital Leaders Award”

in the "Digital Leader of the Year" category

Winner of the Team Awards

in the “Leader of the Year” (Digital) and “Digital Leader of the Year” categories.

Jury member for the Business Success Award

in the “Best Online Project” and “Digital Economy” categories

Biography

Hailing from Moscow circa 1985. I was able to earn an engineering degree from MIEM HSE, followed by an MBA in Strategic Management and Leadership from IMD (Switzerland) and a master's degree in Strategic Management from RANEPA.

2005 2005

Began working, balancing three jobs while studying. It was at this point that I was able to connect the systematic approach to hard work and financial independence to bring to fruition the profits which I reap today.

2011 2011

Launched the first business – a franchise nail salon. All the while, also launching an AdsBase marketing company which went worldwide.

2014 2014

Founded KINZA 360 – an international marketing conference that grew into one of the industry’s largest events, with more than 4,000 participants from 30+ countries.

2018 2018

Scaled the salon network to 40 locations and launched it as a franchise.

2019 2019

Achieved an MBA from IMD (Switzerland) and a master’s degree in Strategic Management.

2021 2021

Relocated to the United States on an exclusive work visa which paved my way towards citizenship.

2022 2022

Founded DNL Capital, an investment firm operating in the U.S. real estate market.

2023 2023

Launched KINZA Travel – a premium travel project for entrepreneurs.

Projects

DNL Capital

A private investment firm focusing on the U.S. real estate market, executing structured deals focused on stable returns.

$20M in completed projects
5 investment strategies
15 years of experience

AdsBase Agency

International marketing agency. Builds and scales brands through strategic marketing, PR, and creative solutions.

$15M advertising campaign reach
1000 clients
10 awards

Kinza 360

Business forum. An international conference for marketers and entrepreneurs.

4000 annual attendees
200 speakers
30 countries

Kinza Travel

A worldwide premium traveling service offering expeditions with a strong entrepreneurial community.

10 expeditions organized
200 participants
95 return for another trip

Collaboration

Every major achievement is built on strong partnerships, sound decisions, and trust. If you agree, let's talk.

Inside Business

My YouTube Channel

I break down companies, deals, and entrepreneurial decisions: how millions are made, grown, and lost.

Visit сhannel

Views 150+ Videos

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Most Viewed

Most Popular

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11.07.2025

Watch on YouTube

From a Soviet-Era Barracks to $7 Million: Oleg Tinkov’s First Business

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14.11.2025

Watch on YouTube

Tatyana Bakalchuk (Kim): From Maternity Leave to Founder of Russia’s Largest Marketplace

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14.10.2025

Watch on YouTube

Roman Abramovich: How an Orphan Built an Oil Empire

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16.06.2026

Watch on YouTube

Sergey Minaev: Four Successful Careers Built on One Superpower

Published Work

How to Scale a Business into New Markets: A Marketing Agency’s Experience

Amid the pandemic, Middle Eastern ad-tech startups are playing an important role in business development.

Denis Lagutenko: Digital Today and Five Years from Now

Denis Lagutenko: “Businesses Will Continue Using  Marketplaces, but They’ll Need a Backup Plan”

“Investments Are Not the Endgame”: Denis Lagutenko on the Transition from Digital to Wealth Management

Keynotes

Always open for collaboration with fellow entrepreneurs, funds, and companies.

A System-Driven Business

How to build a business that runs without the owner’s constant involvement. Metrics, processes, delegation. Freedom comes from systematic planning, not hands-on management.

Scaling

How to grow multiple times without getting pulled back into day-to-day operations. Where to find the growth levers in your business, team, and market and how to spot them before others do.

Team and Hiring

“Pay only those who think.” How to build a team, distinguish employees from partners, and why fast decisions matter more than perfect ones. Management through clear rules, not control.

Real Estate Investing

How to invest in real estate and earn stable returns without personally managing construction or rentals; a conservative investment vehicle with predictable returns.

Decision-Making

How to make decisions quickly under pressure. “Action drives motivation,” not the other way around. Practical principles which have been time-tested across my own businesses.