Program Director Business Finland – (Reijo Smolander)

Business Finland (predecessor Finpro) started working with Ryan already in 2016 in helping Finnish ICT companies to enter French market. Over the years we have had several assignments on multiple industry verticals, where based on market needs Ryan has identified relevant Finnish companies and got them to work together with French companies. Ryan’s passion and leadership has been instrumental for number of Finnish companies in finding their first French customers.
Ryan’s French market knowledge and wide industry networks have helped us as Business Finland to focus our export promotion on most relevant and potential opportunities.

Edzcom – CEO (Mikko Uusitalo)

“We began working with Ryan on a market entry project in France in November 2020. Within six months of our work together, we secured our first customer win in the French market. Within 12 months, we secured a multi-million euro contract with a global manufacturing company. Ryan’s passion and leadership in our internationalisation efforts were instrumental in securing our first wins in France. We look forward to securing further customer wins together in the coming months.”

Tricel – CEO (Mike Stack)

“We began working with Ryan on an ambitious market entry project in France while he was working for Enterprise Ireland in 2010. Today the French market represents over 30% of revenue for our entire group, and we employ over 70 people in France. Our initial success in the French market was directly linked to the passion, leadership and insights Ryan first brought to our market entry efforts in the French market.”

Blu Wireless – CMO (Mark BARRETT)

“After 12 months of Market Entry work with Ryan, we have secured a major contract with our local French partner to supply our wireless technology for the next seven years to a French national security agency. In addition to this contract, we now have a sales pipeline worth several million euros in France, thanks to our market entry work together. These customer wins are a significant milestone for our company and shareholders”.

He-Man Dual Controls – CEO (Paul FERRIS)

“After 12 months of Market Entry work with Ryan in the French market, we secured a seven-year exclusive agreement with a major automotive OEM. This new contract has doubled our annual revenues and brought our company onto the global stage. Our company had to move into a larger factory in the UK to meet the level of demand that we experienced after beginning our internationalisation work in France. Our work together has delivered significant value for our company and shareholders”.

Cellnex France – Sales Director (Loic Besnard)

In an emerging market, Ryan has been able to help us build the definition of the go-to-market strategy from scratch with an efficient lead-generation process. Despite a lack of maturity in the market, he understood the market segments to be prioritised very early, leading to some first contracts being signed very quickly. In addition, he has always brought the right partner at the right time, whether the need is at a technical level or business application level. In two words, Ryan’s added value can be summarised by agility and proactivity.

Business Finland – Head of Industry (Toni Mattila)

I have been working with Ryan since 2018 in various contexts related to industrial digitalization. Ryan has been a local market advisor to me in France and helped to identify potential clients and business partners for our Finnish companies. Ryan is well networked and capable to establish contacts with relevant companies and with his help, many Finnish companies have entered the French market successfully. Ryan has also supported me with several ministerial business delegations and helped to organize various business events in France. I have been very pleased with our co-operation.