Recent engagements

A European renewable energy company engaged Novea Strategy as it assessed whether Nigeria could support a commercially viable entry in distributed power. The client had technical capability and experience in other markets, but needed a firmer basis for deciding where demand was strongest and how to engage locally.

Novea Strategy carried out a targeted market entry assignment focused on demand conditions, likely counterparties, route-to-market options and the practical barriers that would affect early traction. Nigeria’s renewable energy market has attracted stronger investor interest in recent years, including an estimated $227 million deployed into solar home system companies between 2015 and 2020 and major new public-backed efforts to widen electricity access through distributed renewable energy. That made the opportunity real, but it also meant the client needed a sharper entry position rather than a broad country-level strategy.

The work helped the client narrow its initial focus from six target states to two priority entry zones and identify fourteen credible local counterparties, with five moving into active commercial discussions. Within nine months, the client had established a representative presence and signed two pilot partnership agreements that together supported an initial pipeline valued at £8.6 million.

A UK education provider approached Novea Strategy while exploring expansion into Saudi Arabia. The client saw clear potential in the Saudi education reforms, but needed a grounded understanding of demand and the type of offer most likely to gain traction in-market.

Novea Strategy was engaged to assess the market and advise on entry positioning. Saudi Arabia’s education sector is expanding under long-term reform. According to the General Authority for Statistics, the number of private schools reached 7,337 in 2024, with private student enrolment rising above 1 million students. The education market is also seeing continued institutional growth, with new campuses and international operators entering or expanding in response to demand. For the client, the opportunity was substantial, but so was the need to enter with a more exact proposition.

Our work focused on segment demand, local delivery expectations, partnership options and the conditions that would shape a first-stage launch. Novea Strategy helped the client refine its target audience and prioritise one city for initial entry instead of a broad national rollout. The project resulted in a market entry plan built around a phased launch model, with a shortlist of four serious local partners and projected first-year enrolment in the range of 180 to 220 learners. Within six months, the client had entered formal discussions with two Saudi counterparties and approved a launch budget tied to the phased model developed during the assignment.

A Singapore technology company engaged Novea Strategy as it prepared to enter London as a first step into the UK market. The client had a proven offer in Asia, but needed support in understanding where it would sit in London’s highly competitive technology landscape and how to approach early commercial engagement with more precision.

London remains the strongest tech investment destination in Europe. Greater London led Europe in digital tech investment and London & Partners reported more than 100 international tech investments secured in 2023, generating over 4,380 jobs. That depth creates opportunity, but it also raises the standard for new entrants. The client needed a defined position and a sharper route into the market.

Novea Strategy supported the client through market review and early-stage entry planning. The assignment examined the competitive field, likely buyer expectations, priority prospect groups and the practical steps required for a first commercial foothold. The work led the client to narrow its London target list from more than 80 potential accounts to 18 priority prospects and to revise its UK market messaging. Within four months of launch, the client had secured 11 qualified sales meetings and three pilot opportunities, leading to a first signed commercial contract with projected first-year UK revenue of £420,000.