Independent Strategic Advisory for Complex Projects
Blackbird helps stakeholders structure bankable projects by integrating financing strategy, procurement, supply chains and supplier capabilities, while providing independent recommendations aligned solely with the client’s objectives and free from conflicting interests.
Blackbird in a nutshell
A short explainer on how procurement, supply chains and financing alignment support bankable projects.
Why Blackbird
Complex projects are often assessed through separate technical, commercial, procurement and financing workstreams. Yet many of the constraints that affect bankability and execution arise precisely at the points where these workstreams interact.
Blackbird provides independent strategic support focused on those interfaces. Our role is to identify structural constraints, connect relevant stakeholders and help develop procurement and supply chain arrangements that are commercially credible, executable and aligned with the intended financing approach.
Our Foundation
MISSION
To advance the opportunities we support by aligning project structures, supply chains and financing requirements to strengthen bankability, execution readiness and measurable outcomes.
VISION
To be recognized as a trusted and enduring strategic advisory firm behind complex cross-border opportunities with lasting positive impact.
Values
Caring
We consider the wider impact of the projects and decisions we support.
Accountability
We take responsibility for our commitments, recommendations and professional word.
Transparency
We communicate assumptions, limitations and potential conflicts clearly.
What makes our approach different
Procurement is not simply the process of purchasing goods and services. Within complex and ECA-supported projects, procurement decisions can influence sourcing credibility, exportable content, supplier participation, implementation risk and financing flexibility.
Blackbird considers these elements together, helping clients move from isolated assumptions toward a more coherent project structure.
Experience behind Blackbird
Blackbird is led by Marco Exner, whose career spans more than 25 years across international trade, procurement, supply chains, infrastructure and business development. His early experience included building export operations, developing commercial and supply chain structures, and managing cross-border import and export activities.
For more than 16 years, he has supported major infrastructure projects across Africa and Europe, working with contractors, suppliers, financing stakeholders and European Export Credit Agencies. His experience includes procurement strategy, supplier engagement, exportable content development and the operational implementation of ECA-backed project structures.
Marco holds a Master’s degree in International Logistics and Supply Chain Strategy from Georgia Tech and brings together entrepreneurial, operational and executive perspectives. This background provides the foundation for Blackbird’s independent advisory approach to project and financing structuring.