“Our Work Can Save Lives”:  10 on The Weekend With Elena Ruda

10 On The Weekend is a weekly (-ish) feature in IMI, the concept of which is simple: Each time, we ask the same ten questions of a different IMI Pro, letting readers get to know the interviewee on a more personal and informal level than they might during the ordinary course of business.

Our guest this week is Elena Ruda, Owner and CDO at Immigrant Invest

How do you spend your weekends?

We always spend weekends with family, as they inspire me greatly. I run a family business with my husband, Ivan, and our eldest daughter is also studying law and interested in expanding people’s rights in immigration matters. My family inspires me and gives me the energy and strength to move forward.

Living in Austria, we have many beautiful places to visit. I love theatre and opera, but sometimes we enjoy attending Rammstein concerts. Immigrant Invest values the balance between professional and personal life and understands the importance of family time.

What are your top three business goals this year?

Instead of having three separate goals, we have one critical objective: Launching the new Golden Visa program in Hungary. We have worked extensively on the previous Hungarian residency by investment program, attracting over 500 clients from various countries. It was our first program with such a large client volume.

We are well-acquainted with this jurisdiction, understand all its nuances, and aim to offer our clients and partners the best service, just as we did before. Immigrant Invest is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of service and client satisfaction.

What’s your biggest business concern right now?

At this stage, there aren’t any major global concerns that worry us. Over the years, we’ve seen many changes—programs closing, new ones opening—and we understand that changes will continue. Our task as a company is to respond promptly to these changes and provide the best solutions for our clients.

Many are currently concerned about the implementation of due diligence procedures and AML policies, but for us, this is not new. We have been writing and talking about this for five years and already have these tools in place. Immigrant Invest is always ahead of the curve, ensuring compliance and security for our clients.

Which book is on your nightstand right now?

I am currently reading a book on customer orientation. As a company grows, customer orientation often decreases. We aim to maintain the same level of service as when I personally accompanied clients through all processes—from the first consultation to obtaining a passport or residency card.

How and when did you first get into the investment migration industry?

I worked as a lawyer, and some of my clients wanted to move to Europe. I assisted with this process, which led to referrals from their friends and friends of friends. It became a business when I accidentally attended a meeting in Budapest discussing the launch of the first Hungarian program.

Ivan is excellent in marketing, and we decided to seize this opportunity. Since then, we have obtained numerous licenses, developed various programs, and served many clients. Immigrant Invest has grown significantly, becoming a leader in the investment migration industry.

What was your proudest moment as a service provider?

My proudest moments are usually related to how we can make the world better and kinder. For example, our clients and we support charitable organizations in Malta and other countries. One memorable case involved helping a client and his family obtain Hungarian residency.

One evening, the client called, saying his wife needed urgent brain surgery. My colleague, Zlata, immediately contacted the central Vienna hospital and arranged for an emergency operation. The client chartered a private jet, and thanks to the Hungarian residency, they traveled without a visa. The operation was successful, and their four children did not lose their mother. Sometimes, our work can save lives.

Which investment migration market development has surprised you the most in the last year?

This year, I am particularly impressed by the case of Malta in court. I am proud of everyone representing Malta in this process. This isn’t just Malta’s case; it’s an industry-wide matter.

I’m also pleased with Hungary’s transparency in their new program, which I see as a breakthrough in regulation. The Caribbean countries have also been fantastic, finally reaching a consensus. Only by working together can we achieve results.

Another significant trend we are seeing in the investment migration industry is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the investment migration industry. AI speeds up client verification, enhances accuracy, and improves decision-making by analyzing large data sets quickly.

AI also helps predict migration trends and reveals hidden patterns, aiding strategic planning and product development. It enhances customer service through personalized communication and 24/7 support via chatbots and virtual assistants.

Ultimately, AI reduces costs, improves service quality, and increases business efficiency. Immigrant Invest is leading in integrating AI to offer the best solutions for our clients.

If you could go ten years back in time, what business decision would you change?

Of course, there have been successes and mistakes, but overall, I wouldn’t change anything. Everything we’ve done has led us to where we are today.

What investment migration industry personality do you most admire?

I can’t name just one person; I don’t want to upset anyone by not mentioning them. Our industry is wonderful, and many experts in different jurisdictions inspire me. It is very pleasant to work with them and be friends with them.

If all goes according to plan, what will you be doing five years from now?

I will, undoubtedly, be creating cosmopolitans.