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I support consulting teams, startups and investors with market research, industry analysis and expert interviews. My work focuses on helping organizations quickly understand markets, competitors and emerging opportunities through structured research and strategic insights. With 7+ years of experience across companies such as Worten, CTT, Forall Phones and Accenture, I have worked on projects involving business model development, market expansion and circular economy initiatives. Relevant experience includes: • Built a refurbished electronics business from scratch inside Portugal’s leading electronics retailer (Worten Reuse / Flippers) • Designed product strategy for B2B transport services at CTT • Managed supplier relationships, product categories and trade-in programs at Forall Phones • Supported operational optimization and SAP implementation projects at Accenture Services I provide include: • Market research and industry analysis • Competitive landscape analysis • Market entry research • Expert interviews with industry professionals • Strategic market briefs • Market quick scans Specialized expertise: • Circular economy business models • Buyback and trade-in programs • Second-hand device markets • Retail and electronics circular strategies I combine business strategy, structured research and bilingual communication (PT/EN) to deliver clear and actionable insights. If you are looking for research support for a consulting, strategy or market intelligence project, I would be happy to discuss your needs.

If your strategy is clear but execution keeps falling short — or your organisation is growing faster than your operating model can support — that gap is what I close. ✅ Upwork Top 1% Talent ✅ Expert Vetted With more than 20 years of senior consulting experience, I design and build operating models that turn strategic intent into operational reality. My work spans operating model design, target operating model (TOM) development, business architecture, capability-based planning, and the organisational restructuring required to make it all stick. My primary specialisations are: ⭐ Target Operating Model Design — from current-state diagnosis through to future-state blueprint, transition roadmap, and capability build ⭐ Business Architecture — linking strategy, capabilities, value streams, and processes into a coherent, executable structure ⭐ Capability-Based Planning — identifying the capabilities your operating model needs, prioritising investment, and sequencing delivery ⭐ Organisational Design — structures, roles, governance, and operating rhythms aligned to strategic intent ⭐ Strategy Execution — translating high-level plans into programmes, milestones, and measurable outcomes The results I have delivered have moved the needle in ways that matter. One engagement compressed a 4.5-year insurance claims backlog to 9 months. Another supported a 13,000+ interview programme that redesigned enterprise operating models across 52 countries. I hold a Master Certified Architect (Open CA®) designation — the highest independent certification in business architecture — and I am the author of published whitepapers and implementation guides covering the strategic alignment of business, operations, and IT. Take a look at what recent clients have said: "Stephen once again went above and beyond in terms of delivering a top quality report to exacting standards, remaining calm and professional in the face of constantly shifting client requirements." - Nov 2024 "Stephen was a lifesaver! He helped me rescue a project that was at risk of failure by being able to see the bigger picture before identifying the structural changes that quickly needed implementing. He showed great attention to detail and I could always depend on him to complete the jobs to a very high standard and with a fast turnaround time." - Jan 2024 "Stephen was a pleasure to work with. He took the time to make sure he understood our vision so he could create the right deliverable. He was great at communicating and was always available if we had questions. Working with him was a good experience all around." - Aug 2023 "Stephen has an uncanny ability to dissect issues and uncover insights that elude other freelancers. His suggestions and recommendations worked like magic. I highly recommend." - Feb 2023

Hello! My name is João, and I am a top rated plus freelancer. As a business strategist, grant and proposal writer and consultant with a proven track record, I specialize in collaborating with business owners, startups and established companies that focus on innovative products and services, emerging technologies (such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Web3, DeFi, and NFTs), sustainability, and ICT. My expertise lies in optimizing strategy and business models, developing funding strategy and market research, and devising business reports and industry analysis. My credentials include a Ph.D. in Management Sciences, with focus on the Management of Innovation, Technology, and Sustainability and a PM2-Level 2 Certification in Project Management. What sets me apart: 🔹10+ years of experience within innovation ecosystems, successfully raising over $10M in funding from Angel/Pre-seed to Series A for multiple startups across North America, South America, Europe, and the Middle East since 2014. 🔸7+ years with top-tier European consulting firms, managing and implementing projects with a combined budget exceeding $10M. As a proficient grant writer, I have secured funding for 12 proposals through various funding frameworks and contracting authorities, including the European Commission (Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, Eurostars, EIC Pathfinder, MSCA and Erasmus+), Inter-American Development Bank, and European Investment Bank. ■ 10+ years of experience as a Scholar/Researcher. I published several academic papers in high-rated journals and books in English, Portuguese and French. In addition, I worked as a reviewer and editor for journals in the field of the Management of Technology and Innovation. I have also worked as Lecturer and now as Professor in universities in France, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. I can assist you with: 🔹 Comprehensive market research, analysis, and bespoke strategy development. 🔹 Creating winning pitch decks (copywriting, design, strategy) for maximum impact. 🔹 Crafting white papers and business plans, as well as facilitating fundraising to accelerate growth. 🔹 Innovating business models by reframing problems and pain points. 🔹 Implementing AI technologies within your organization to drive competitive advantage. 🔹 Conducting research with customers, users, and stakeholders to inform decision-making. 🔸 Identifying lucrative funding opportunities. 🔸 Evaluating potential partners, assessments, and eligibility. 🔸 Crafting compelling proposals for various funding frameworks. 🔸 Providing project management support throughout the implementation phase. 🔸 Delivering specialized expertise in the agri-food sector, startups, and innovation. ■ Designing research scope and methodology to support your objectives. ■ Enhancing papers through strategic recommendations and implementation. ■ Guiding data analysis to extract actionable insights. ■ Meticulously proofreading and editing academic publications. ■ Preparing engaging articles and reports on highly technical topics. ■ Developing and delivering customized organizational and academic training/courses. Additional strengths: I am fluent in English and Portuguese, with working proficiency in Spanish and French. My experience living in five countries has equipped me to seamlessly navigate global environments and adapt to various time zones. In conclusion: As a dedicated professional, I am here to help you and your company achieve outstanding results and exceed expectations. Allow me to elevate your business to new heights with my extensive knowledge and experience.

Turn your business ideas into professionally managed realities. I help new and established companies, consortiums, and organizations launch successful business initiatives through strategic planning, financial modeling, compelling presentations, and professional project management. 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈 𝐃𝐎 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 & 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬 - Complete business plan development for new ventures and expansions - Market analysis, competitive positioning, and go-to-market strategy - Financial modeling and revenue projections - Risk assessment and mitigation planning 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 & 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - Board presentations and investor pitch decks - Stakeholder workshops and alignment sessions - Grant applications and funding proposals - Sales presentations and partnership proposals 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - Joint venture structuring and partnership strategies - Digital transformation and tech venture launches - Business case development for new initiatives - Strategic recommendations and implementation roadmaps 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐒𝐔𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 - Real Estate Consortium: Developed joint venture marketplace strategy and pitch deck. Secured stakeholder alignment across 4 companies and successfully presented to sponsors. - Educational Venture: Currently helping establish real estate brokerage school. Creating business plan, financial models, and pitch materials for launch. - Non-Profit Expansion: Wrote grant applications for new program launches, securing funding for innovative community initiatives. - Corporate Innovation: Led business case development for tech optimization projects at Fortune 500 companies during Deloitte tenure. 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐈 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 - Real Estate: Development, brokerage, property management, PropTech ventures - Tech Startups: SaaS platforms, marketplace development, developer tools, B2B software - Retail: E-commerce expansion, omnichannel strategy, retail technology ventures - Public Sector & Non-Profit: Grant applications, program expansion, social ventures, government partnerships - Professional Services: Consulting firms, PR agencies, marketing services, educational ventures 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Clear vision and mission alignment across stakeholders - Comprehensive market and competitive analysis - Realistic financial projections and business modeling - Implementation roadmap with milestones and KPIs 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 - Executive summaries and pitch decks for investors/boards - Grant applications and funding proposals - Sales presentations and partnership materials - Stakeholder alignment workshops and facilitation 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 - Go-to-market strategy and sales approach - Partnership structuring and joint venture agreements - Risk management and contingency planning - Ongoing strategic advisory as needed 𝐖𝐇𝐘 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐌𝐄 ✓ Big-4 Training: Deloitte background in business case development and strategic consulting ✓ Cross-Industry Experience: Real estate, non-profit, corporate, and tech venture expertise ✓ Stakeholder Whisperer: Expert at aligning diverse groups around common vision ✓ Results-Driven: Focus on presentations that secure funding and business plans that work ✓ Fast Turnaround: Complete projects in weeks, not months 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫 - Established companies launching new business lines or ventures - Real estate firms expanding into new markets or services - Non-profits seeking funding for new programs or social ventures - Professional service firms developing new offerings or educational programs - Consortiums and partnerships needing alignment and strategic direction 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐎 𝐀 𝐅𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘? 𝐌𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐌𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇: - Your organization and the new venture opportunity - Your biggest challenge (strategy, funding, stakeholder alignment, or market entry) - Your timeline and immediate needs "We had the pieces but couldn't put them together into a compelling story. He facilitated our strategy, aligned our partners, and created a pitch that got us funded." - Real Estate Consortium Leader

With over 15 years dedicated to innovation and business expansion across a variety of industries and company sizes, I developed a versatile profile across marketing and commercial roles, from global to local operations. This diverse background, coupled with a curious mindset, gives me a unique insight into how the different pieces of a business come together. My greatest strength lies in the ability to zoom in and out: thinking both long and short term, balancing strategy with execution, and bridging marketing--sales--operations. My Consultancy Services 𝟏. 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Do you have a business idea and don’t know where to start, or an existing business and wonder how to plan your next move? --> Drawing from a variety of sectors experiences, I provide customized guidance and blueprints to steer your venture's direction, optimize operations, and boost ROI. 𝟐. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 & 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Are you looking to build or refine your brand's strategy? Does your marketing team need strategic guidance and cohesion to execute your business’s vision? Struggling to excite retailers with your current assets? --> I offer a comprehensive approach to brand development and management, my tailored brand & marketing strategies are grounded in real-world successes. 𝟑. 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 & 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 Feeling the need to rejuvenate your product offerings? Too many ideas (or none)? Not sure what is the best supplier setup to bring those to life? --> With over 8 years’ experience in product innovation, and distinguished by multiple international awards, I can guide you through all the milestones of a bullet-proof innovation funnel, tailored to your business, and balancing consumer appeal, customer viability, and sound financials. 𝟒. 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 Thinking of venturing into new territories? Determined to grow but uncertain about resource prioritization? Full of ambition but lacking a cohesive roadmap? --> With hands-on experience across 4 continents and expertise managing both major players and emerging clients, I will guide through the route-to-market process for seamless international expansion. 𝟓. 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐤 & 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 Preparing to engage stakeholders or investors? Feel you have a good story in your head but cannot translate it in a deck? --> Crafting a coherent narrative is essential. I assist in molding your vision and strategy into compelling presentations, grounded in clarity, as well as robust business plans to attract investors, partners, and stakeholders. Ready to embark on a transformative journey for your business? Let's work together!

🌍 I Help Companies Reinvent Themselves in the AI Era In a world where AI is disrupting industries, business models, and customer behavior, every company must rethink its identity and strategy for growth. That’s where I come in. With 25+ years of experience in international marketing, business strategy, and growth consulting, I help organizations navigate transformation — aligning brand, business model, and market positioning to thrive in the new economy. Whether you’re redefining your offering, launching in a new market, or preparing your business for AI-driven change, I bring: ✅ Strategic clarity — defining your competitive edge and growth path ✅ A modern marketing voice — connecting your brand to today’s audiences ✅ Business transformation expertise — blending innovation with real-world results I’ve partnered with founders, CEOs, and leadership teams to help companies not just adapt — but evolve. 💡 Services Strategic marketing consulting & brand positioning AI transformation & innovation strategy Business model design and growth planning Go-to-market strategy & international expansion Fractional CMO & strategic advisory partnerships 🔹 Roles Fractional CMO | Strategic Advisor | Marketing Strategy Consultant | AI-Era Innovation Partner 🔑 Keywords for search visibility Marketing strategy • Business transformation • Brand consultant • AI strategy • Go-to-market • Growth marketing • Brand repositioning • Business model innovation • Fractional CMO • International marketing • Strategic advisor