Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Helping international scale-ups and SMEs build real traction in the Kingdom. Most international companies approach Saudi Arabia the wrong way. They secure a registration, attend a few events, and wait for business to come to them. It does not. Real traction in the Kingdom requires a structured pathway into the Kingdom's ecosystem — one that starts with an honest strategic analysis of where a company stands, routes it into the right entry track, connects it to the right institutional and commercial partners on the ground, and then supports the hard work of localization, local execution and growth all the way through to scale. This structured 'landing strip' is what I have built. Through NEXT SA and a curated network of in-Kingdom implementation partners spanning technology, investment facilitation, and sector-specific localization. I operate a 'Saudi growth engine' that is designed to take international companies from market assessment, strategy design to active commercial traction. The engine combines institutional access at the government level with a solid on-the-ground execution capability. The combination that most advisory firms cannot offer. What this looks like in practice: • A structured entry diagnostic that maps a company's readiness, identifies the right sectors and partners, and defines a clear localization roadmap aligned with Vision 2030 priorities. • Activation of institutional relationships across Ministries, sovereign and private sector investment structures, and PIF portfolio entities. • Connection to local implementation partners with deep sectoral expertise in technology deployment, workforce localization, and regulatory navigation. • End-to-end support and guidance from the first engagement through to commercial scale to build a genuine presence and sustainable Saudi engagement. My work in Saudi Arabia is rooted in genuine conviction. I believe in the Kingdom's direction and what it is becoming, and I enjoy spending time there. With the people, inside the ecosystem, and on the ground where things actually happen. Presence and trust with Saudi nationals across government and the private sector is not something that can be replicated from a distance. If you are a founder, CEO, or BD leader at a European scale-up or SME seriously exploring Saudi Arabia, send me a message. The question has changed from whether to enter the Kingdom to how fast you can move.
NEXT SA is a boutique advisory firm operating at the intersection of two things: helping international scale-ups and SMEs build genuine commercial traction in Saudi Arabia, and supporting high-tech OEMs and prime contractors with offset, localization, and industrial cooperation mandates. The Saudi Arabian work focuses on the gap that traditional consulting and soft-landing programs do not fill — moving companies from market assessment through to active commercial traction, with institutional access at the government level and execution capability on the ground. The offset and business development work draws on over a decade of experience in regulated, dual-use, and defense markets across Europe, the US, and Saudi Arabia. This includes RFP strategy, industrial cooperation structuring, and in-country value program design for clients operating in complex procurement environments.
Working directly with ministry leadership and cross-government stakeholders to strengthen Saudi Arabia's investment ecosystem — supporting inbound international partnerships, facilitating high-level bilateral delegations, and advising on startup and SME localization frameworks aligned with Vision 2030. The role sits at the intersection of government access and private sector engagement, providing a platform to connect international companies with the institutional structures that shape investment policy in the Kingdom. Delegations supported include government and business missions from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other European markets.
Teaching "The Business Side of Space" as an elective within ZHAW's engineering degree programs — a course developed to bridge the gap between technical training and commercial reality in the space sector. The course covers business models, market dynamics, investment structures, and strategic positioning for companies operating in or entering the space economy. Content draws directly from professional experience in space business development, including leading global BD at Beyond Gravity with over $400M in captured business. The goal is straightforward: give engineering students the commercial literacy to operate effectively in an industry that is no longer just government-driven.
Acquired K&J Schmittschneider AG through a leveraged buyout in 2021, taking over from the founding owner. Provided strategic advisory support to the leadership team through a period of ownership transition and operational continuity. K&J specializes in communication and surveillance technologies for government authorities, security organizations, military, and defense-adjacent industries — delivering end-to-end turnkey solutions from conception through serial production. Shareholding sold in early 2025.
Co-founded Klatt Works, a company specializing in the rapid design, prototyping, and manufacturing of electro-optical and mechanical systems — including sensors, displays, automation, robotics, and ruggedized devices for demanding environments. Contributed to strategic direction, market positioning, and business development over seven years, supporting growth in target markets and securing key partnerships.