#33: Ahmed Qureshi, Co-Founder, President & COO | BILT

On this episode of In The Thick of It, Scott meets with Ahmed Qureshi, Co-Founder President & COO of BILT, a revolutionary app utilizing 3D technology to deliver interactive and immersive environments to users. BILT's goal is to help companies put their products in the hands of customers through a digital format.Ahmed shares life before launching his business, including stories of his childhood in Saudi Arabia, majoring in Middle East Studies at BYU, and helping Papa John’s expand internationally all while serving his country in the reserves. Ahmed highlights the importance of collaboration and the significance of having the right capital partnerships in a startup’s early journey.Today, Ahmed finds inspiration in witnessing the awe and excitement from clients when using the BILT app. But, getting the startup to where it is today didn’t come without its sacrifices and major responsibilities.About AhmedAhmed Qureshi is a global business executive, consultant, entrepreneur and national security professional who has more than 30 years of experience living, studying and working both at home in the United States and abroad. He has worked for multi-national corporations, his own start-up firms and has advised organizations in cross cultural team building and other business best practices. In 2015 he co-founded BILT Incorporated and serves as the President and COO; BILT is a SaaS network technology firm supporting global brands with 3D interactive and XR immersive Intelligent Instructions via a cloud-based application focused on improving the end user experience. In 2004 he co-founded Harbinger Technologies Group where he helped develop entity resolution software solutions and oversee the training of more than 35,000 law enforcement and military personnel; he helped sell the company in 2007. Prior to Harbinger, he served as the vice president for global business development at INVESTools Incorporated and as the head of Middle East operations for Papa John’s International. From 2004 to 2017 he was an adjunct professor at the United States Air Force Special Operations School based at Hurlburt Field. He is a graduate of the Middle East Studies program at Brigham Young University, the MBA program at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, the Naval War College command and staff program, the Joint Forces Staff College and was a yearlong Fulbright grantee to the University of Jordan. He completed his doctorate at King’s College, University of London, writing on US policy and military decision making in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations. He has been a drilling reservist since 1992 and has deployed overseas for various operations and training missions. He currently resides in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area with his family. About the BILT appThe BILT app is a revolutionary new tool for anything requiring assembly, set-up, repair or maintenance. BILT is 3D and interactive; it allows you to TAP on a part for details, PINCH to zoom in & DRAG to rotate the image 360°. Whether you need a new part or you want to troubleshoot, the information is right at your fingertips. There's no need to squint & no need for paper instructions. BILT allows you to protect your investment by registering the product, capturing the receipt & holding the warranty, so you always have it on your device.  It's like a virtual filing cabinet in your pocket.To learn more, visit www.biltapp.com