Katja Boutou

Strategic Growth and Marketing Specialist, Pulsar.ml
Pulsar.ml is an open-source MLOps platform by Rocket Science Development, focused on AI governance, optimizing model performance, compliance, and security.

MLOps Community Building:Built a 700-member community in the MLOps space through educational events.

Fundraising and Grants: Managed seed fundraising and secured funds to drive growth.

Startup Incubators: Entered prestigious incubators in Canada, UAE, and KSA, accelerating company growth.

Strategic Partnerships: Developed a network of partnerships in banking, insurance, and fintech sectors.

Sales and Marketing: Analyzed data to refine strategies, managed digital campaigns, and improved SEO for increased traffic and lead generation.

Market Research & Planning: Identified new opportunities and developed strategic marketing materials.

Budget & Content Strategy: Managed budgets and devised content strategies to maximize ROI and enhance brand visibility.

Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Rocket Science Development

Business Growth: Led global expansion across Canada, and GCC countries, increasing market reach and revenue. Identified untapped markets for AI consulting services.

Market Entry Strategies: Planned and executed successful market entry strategies, acquiring new customers and managing a CAD 600,000 pipeline.

Strategic Partnerships: Developed key business partnerships, aligning AI solutions with customer needs to drive revenue growth.

Sales and Marketing Leadership: Directed sales and marketing efforts, crafting culturally resonant strategies and mentoring high-performing teams.

Global Market Adaptation: Adapted products to meet market-specific requirements, ensuring regulatory compliance.

Grants and Incubators: Secured government grants and entry into global startup incubators, supporting market expansion.

Commercialization of Pulsar.ml: Led the commercialization of Pulsar.ml, focusing on product positioning, market entry, and strategic partnerships.

Investor and Board Member, Nanoksi Group

Growth & Expansion: Drove substantial market growth, increasing Nanoksi’s revenue to €3M by strategically positioning the company across 7 countries.

Strategic Acquisitions: Led the acquisition of Plasmonics, launching advanced coating products and setting the stage for international expansion.

Product Management: Managed the Fotonit product family, targeting key customer segments to maximize market penetration.

Marketing & PR Leadership: Directed global marketing efforts, elevating Nanoksi’s brand through webinars, exhibitions, and strategic PR.

Sustainability Initiatives: Pioneered sustainability strategies, embedding long-term value into the company’s operations.

Partnerships & Distribution: Built and managed an international partner network, ensuring seamless market entry and growth.

Operational Excellence: Managed daily operations, set strategic KPIs, and ensured alignment with long-term goals.

Contract Management: Negotiated and finalized international contracts, ensuring compliance and securing favorable terms.

Innovation & Expansion: Developed strategies for international expansion, positioning Nanoksi as an industry leader.

Strategic Leadership: Led FBC in the UAE, driving initiatives to promote Finnish businesses and culture, ensuring alignment with the council's vision and objectives.

Market Access & Networking: Collaborated with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce to facilitate market access for Finnish companies and built key relationships with stakeholders.

PR & Branding: Developed a strategic PR plan that elevated FBC's profile and enhanced the visibility of Finnish brands in the UAE.

Partnerships & Collaboration: Partnered with the Finnish Embassy, Business Finland, and Team Finland to execute joint initiatives supporting Finnish economic interests.

Event Management: Organized high-profile networking events and trade delegations to promote Finnish brands and create business opportunities in the UAE.

Strategic Vision: Crafted and implemented a vision that strengthened FBC's role as a key link between Finnish businesses and the UAE market.

I founded KB Nordic to bridge the gap between government trade offices and SMEs, recognizing the unique challenges smaller businesses face when entering the GCC market. KB Nordic helps EU-based SMEs expand successfully into the UAE and GCC regions by providing tailored strategies for B2B, B2C, and B2G sectors, and offering access to my well-established, high-value network to ensure they have the support and connections needed to thrive.

Partnerships & Delegations:

Partnered with embassies and trade offices to facilitate high-level delegations, ensuring tailored strategies for market entry and sector-specific challenges. Collaborated with Business Finland to enhance visibility and ensure successful market entry.

Market Studies & Funding:

Conducted market studies in the MENA/GCC region, providing actionable insights. Secured government funding to support SME market entry and developed targeted marketing strategies in Health, ICT, Hospitality, Security, and Oil & Gas.

Market Entry & Sales Strategy:

Directed market entry and sales strategies for tech providers in GCC, including IoT, Healthtech, and Edutech sectors. Led delegation visits and built local sales teams, driving effective market penetration.

Event Management:

Organized exhibitions and events in the GCC, boosting brand visibility and creating networking opportunities. Managed logistics, promotions, and stakeholder engagement for maximum impact.

Guest Speaking & Education:

Conducted workshops on international trade and market entry strategies in Arab countries, providing practical insights for academia and businesses.

Client Successes:

Zendesk: Facilitated entry into KSA, securing a government contract.
Quuppa: Managed market entry for high-security projects in GCC.
Extronics: Expanded presence in the Oil & Gas sector in GCC.
LingJack: Established a strategic partner network in UAE and KSA.
GIOSG: Secured direct customers in the KSA market.
LADEC: Organized high-level delegations and developed market entry strategies.

Cure Medical Center in Abu Dhabi specializes in orthopedics, cardiology, and rehabilitation. It is known for high-quality treatments and using advanced technologies with a patient-centered approach to improve health outcomes.

Project Management & Expansion
Managed a $3M expansion project, ensuring HAAD and ISO9001 compliance, enhancing orthopedic and cardiology services, and increasing profitability.

Branding & Digital Presence
Led rebranding efforts, significantly boosting the center's online presence and patient engagement through strategic digital marketing.

CSR, PR & Networking
Developed and implemented a CSR and PR strategy, increasing patient flow through effective networking and referral systems.

Strategic Growth & Innovation
Conducted studies on telemedicine and other growth areas, positioning the center as a leader in innovative healthcare services.

Digitalization & Operational Efficiency
Led the digitalization of medical records, improving efficiency and patient care, while modernizing operational processes.

Partnerships & Business Development
Managed strategic partnerships, negotiating contracts, and fostering relationships to support business objectives.
Corporate Culture & Leadership


Investor Relations & Market Analysis
Communicated business performance to investors, providing insights for informed decision-making and sustaining market leadership.

Consulting for Emirate Family Office iMass Investment

iMass Investments is a UAE-based financial management company, established in 2007. It focuses on strategic investments across sectors like real estate, healthcare, education, and technology in the GCC region. iMass supports its portfolio companies with financing, business facilitation, and strategic consulting to drive growth and success.

Investment Opportunity Analysis
Researched and identified investment opportunities in Europe, Asia, and America for execution in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha, focusing on sectors like hospitality, healthcare, and construction.

Strategic Planning & Benchmarking
Developed strategies aligned with regional markets, benchmarking findings against industry standards, and presenting detailed analyses to board members.

Project Management
Managed investment projects from inception to completion, overseeing resources, timelines, and risk mitigation to ensure successful outcomes.

Cross-Cultural Facilitation
Facilitated cross-cultural meetings and negotiations, effectively bridging gaps and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders.

Tampere University's MBA in International Business prepares professionals for leadership in global markets. The program focuses on advanced strategies, international marketing, and cross-cultural management, with practical learning through case studies and industry collaboration.

Currently completing a thesis on effective strategies for SMEs to enter and succeed in complex, high-value megaprojects within GCC countries. The research explores market entry approaches, risk management, and partnership development tailored to the unique economic and cultural landscape of the GCC region, providing actionable insights to help SMEs capitalize on lucrative opportunities.

The BBA program at Hotel Institute Montreux combines Swiss hospitality and American business principles, preparing students for leadership in hospitality with a focus on management, human resources, and practical experience.

Specialization: Human Resources and Training Management
My studies at Hotel Institute Montreux focused on Human Resources and Training Management, equipping me with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage and develop talent in the hospitality industry.