On-the-ground operator for founders and companies expanding into Africa and APAC. Three years in Cape Town, months in Lagos, Hanoi and Manila. I take ideas from hypothesis to first revenue.
Book a callFor founders and companies expanding into Africa and APAC, I am the on-the-ground operator who validates your business. With 3 years living in Cape Town, a Law and Diplomacy background including diplomatic experience at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassy of Latvia in the USA, a track record from greenfield to a 100+ MW energy project exit (with Apple now as power purchaser), and experience taking a startup from employee #1 to an 8-figure acquisition, I navigate market complexity to get you to your first revenue.
Currently co-founding FactoryDB and open to advisory roles in emerging market expansion, fintech partnerships, and early-stage ventures. I thrive at the intersection of "let's try this" and "this might actually work".
I specialize in testing and validating business ideas in emerging markets — specifically Africa (Southern Africa, Nigeria) and APAC (Vietnam, Philippines). My focus is de-risking your expansion by taking ideas from hypothesis to first revenue through strategic partnerships and on-the-ground execution.
You have an idea but don't know if it will work in Nigeria, Vietnam, or Philippines. I run a systematic validation process to give you a data-backed "go/no-go" decision before you invest significant capital. From desk research to on-ground customer conversations to micro-pilots, I de-risk your market entry.
You need to secure banking partners in Vietnam, institutional relationships in the Philippines, or distribution partners in Africa. I leverage my on-ground network and 3 years of living in Cape Town to build the institutional relationships that unlock your growth. Especially strong in fintech, renewable energy, and B2B partnerships.
You're an early-stage founder who needs more than just advice — you need someone to act as your interim BD lead. I take your product from concept to first customers, building the strategy and executing the partnerships that prove your business model works in challenging markets.
If you're a Latvian or Baltic company looking at South Africa as your next market, here's what three years on the ground taught me — and how I help.
South Africa rewards relationships, not pitch decks. Coming from Latvia — where most B2B deals close on email and a Zoom call — that's the first cultural shift to budget for. Banks, distributors, and government tenders move slower, but once trust is established, partnerships hold for years.
Add B-BBEE, exchange controls, a fragmented retail landscape, and pricing elasticity that doesn't follow EU intuition. Latvian companies that show up with a Riga playbook usually leave six months later. The ones that adapt do well.
If you're early-stage and exploring whether SA makes sense for your business, the cheapest move is a 30-minute call. Email me what you're working on.
My expertise is laser-focused on validating and scaling businesses in the complex, relationship-driven markets of Africa and APAC. If you need a specialist for 0-to-1 growth in these regions — someone who's lived in the markets, built partnerships from scratch, and has cross-industry experience (fintech, renewable energy, adtech, SaaS, manufacturing) — we're a great fit.
For mature US/EU market optimization, traditional growth hacking, or full-time employee roles, other experts would be a better choice. I work best on advisory or project-based engagements where strategic thinking and on-the-ground execution drive results.