Hi, I'm Nikolaj Koester, a dynamic hands-on leader with a deep passion for shaping the future of mobility.
I'm an executive with 15+ years of leading cross-functional teams across BtB and BtC mobility. I help mobility companies set strategy, design products and win markets through hands-on go-to-market execution. I've lived and worked in six countries and am now based in Barcelona.
I am an experienced executive with 15+ years in leading cross-functional teams, developing innovative digital product solutions, and specializing in BtB and BtC mobility.
I help mobility companies create strategies, grow businesses, design products, and build and execute go-to-market strategies to win markets and customers. I am an executor and thrive in scrappy projects; I get things done.
I drive strategic outcomes by leveraging data-driven insights and designing innovative solutions to complex business challenges. My expertise spans product conceptualization, cross-functional team leadership, client engagement, new business acquisition, and executing impactful go-to-market strategies.
I'm dedicated to nurturing an inclusive and empathetic team culture, thriving as a tenacious, results-oriented, and energetic player-coach.
Having lived and worked in the US, UK, South Africa, Norway, Denmark, and Spain, I bring a global perspective to my consulting work. I hold an entrepreneurship and project design degree from The KaosPilot University and currently live in Barcelona, Spain.
My passion lies in collaborating with ambitious, mission-driven technology companies to deliver transformative solutions.
I build a clear strategy around your business goals and competitive landscape.
02
BD & Partnerships
I find new business opportunities, build partnerships and grow your market presence.
03
Go-to-Market
I plan and run go-to-market strategies that land launches and drive customer adoption.
04
Product Design
I work with your team to shape digital products that fit your strategy and your customers.
05
Fractional Roles
Senior business development expertise as a consultant or fractional team member, without a full-time hire.
Case study: Uber and Deem
×
The product
Uber for Business, inside Etta
Head of Deem Mobility
My role and achievements
As Head of Deem Mobility, Deem's top strategic initiative, I led a virtual team of 25 experts across product, engineering, design, sales, marketing and customer support.
We launched the first-ever API integration of Uber into a corporate booking tool and rolled it out to multiple tier-1 clients.
25experts in a cross-functional virtual team
1stAPI integration of Uber into a corporate booking tool
I highly recommend Nikolaj for any role related to partnership development, product management, or leadership in the mobility industry. As a key player in driving our strategic partnership, Nikolaj demonstrated exceptional skills in leadership, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration.
Buck TealHead of Enterprise Business Development at Uber
Driving commercial success with cross-functional leadership in mobility
Chief Revenue Officer (CRO)
Barcelona · Remote
Jan 2025 - present
Driving revenue growth through sales, partnerships and marketing for ultra-fast EV fleet charging.
Chief Business Development Officer
Barcelona
Feb 2024 - Oct 2024
Drove the international expansion of ViggoEnergy ultra-fast chargers for commercial EV fleets.
Strategic Advisor, Go-to-Market and Funding Strategies
Oviedo · Remote
Jul 2023 - Jul 2024
Go-to-market, partnership and funding strategies, working closely with founders and VCs.
BIRDSONG
Founder, Strategic Advisor
Birdsong Ventures · Barcelona · Remote
May 2023 - present
Strategic advisory for mobility companies on business development and SaaS.
Head of Mobility
San Francisco Bay Area · Remote
Sep 2021 - Mar 2023
Led the Deem Mobility line of business with a virtual team of 25+ and launched the first API integration of Uber in a corporate booking tool.
VP, General Manager Americas
New York
Oct 2019 - Oct 2020
Ran Karhoo's U.S. division reporting to the CEO, reaching coverage in 20 US cities within 12 months.
Co-founder, VP Business Development
Copenhagen
Jun 2013 - Apr 2017
Grew Drivr from 0 to 60 employees, raised $10M and closed partnerships with Volkswagen and Opel.
VP, Commercial Development
Copenhagen
Apr 2016 - Mar 2017
Led business development with transit agencies, OEMs and mobility partners such as VW, E.ON and Odense Municipality.
5 reasons why mobility matters. Learn how the ways we get from point A to point B are changing, and how new business travel software solutions are paving the way to streamline those changes and empower the traveler.
At the GBTA2022, I sat down with GBTA Monisa Cline to answer the question — what is multimodal mobility, and why is it such a hot topic in the world of business travel?
One of the most commercially intelligent individuals I have had the pleasure of working with
Wesley Bishop
CCO, Addison Lee Group
Nikolaj brings a rare blend of originality, agility, insightfulness and commercial acumen to every opportunity.
Dr. Michael Galvin
Ex. Karhoo, Addison Lee, TFL
Nikolaj is deeply passionate about mobility and brings an entrepreneurial mindset and extensive experience from his work with both B2B and B2C companies. Everything that he worked on has led to outstanding results for the business and its people.
Todd Kaiser
VP, Corporate Development InductEV
Nikolaj ranks among the very best speakers I have ever encountered.
Monika Płochocka-Kuwik
Foundation President, Impact
Extremely competent commercially, but also uniquely has a very deep and detailed understanding all elements of the technology, product and the industry we worked in. Very much a people facing person, a great guy to work alongside
Paul Grant
Head of Enterprise, Gett UK
Nikolaj’s keynote at our flagship event Pioneers'17 with a 3.000 people audience had extremely positive feedback from our audience.
Rebecca Martin
Programme Director, Pioneers
Laser focused on coming up with plans to align with our mutual goals. Sharp and driven with a deep knowledge of both commercial partnerships and having enough product/tech acumen to speak intelligently
Christopher Cialino
Fareportal
Let's talk
Building the future of mobility? Let's make it happen.
Strategy, partnerships, go-to-market or a fractional leader for your team. Tell me what you're working on.
My passion for sustainable mobility solutions is inspired by the potential to create cleaner, quieter cities where nature thrives.
It's about creating a better urban environment through sustainable mobility; imagine cities with electric cars, micromobility, less traffic, and more green spaces, where the sound of birdsong reminds us of the positive impact we can make.
