What does Ludovicus Advisory do?

Ludovicus Advisory provides strategic advisory to founders of hardware businesses facing critical growth decisions. The focus is on market entry between Europe and the USA, operational scaling, product strategy, and strategic partnerships. Clients work one-on-one directly with the advisor — no junior teams, no slide decks, no theory.

Who is the advisor at Ludovicus Advisory?

Arno, a Dutch senior commercial executive with 35 years of experience building hardware businesses across Europe and the USA. His background includes serving as VP Europe at Rad Power Bikes, Division Manager at Yamaha Motor Europe (where he helped launch the modern e-bike in Europe and was responsible for Motorcyle, Scooter, Recreational Vehicle, Power products Golf Car and E-bike product lines), and founding a DTC e-commerce operation in the USA from scratch.

What types of companies does Ludovicus Advisory work with?

Ludovicus Advisory works with founders of hardware businesses — particularly companies in e-mobility, outdoor and sports hardware, and adjacent physical product sectors. Typical clients are scaling companies planning cross-border expansion between Europe and the USA, or facing strategic inflection points around market entry, partnerships, or operational growth. The practice is deliberately small: a maximum of three clients at any one time.

How is Ludovicus Advisory different from a management consulting firm?

Ludovicus Advisory is a one-person practice. There are no junior teams, no methodologies dressed up as insight, and no reports written to justify a fee. Every client works directly with the advisor — someone who has actually built and scaled hardware businesses, not studied them. The model prioritises directness and speed over process.

What is a fractional commercial advisor for hardware companies?

A fractional commercial advisor works with a company on a part-time, retained basis — providing senior commercial expertise without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire. For hardware scale-ups, this typically means strategic guidance on market entry, channel strategy, partnerships, or operational expansion, delivered directly by an experienced executive. Ludovicus Advisory operates on this model, working with a small number of clients at capped weekly hours.

Does Ludovicus Advisory help Dutch companies enter the US market?

Yes. US market entry for European hardware companies — and specifically Dutch hardware scale-ups — is a core area of expertise. This includes channel strategy (DTC versus retail versus dealer networks), commercial positioning, operational setup, and the cultural and structural differences that cause most European hardware companies to underestimate the complexity of US expansion.

How do I engage Ludovicus Advisory?

There are no discovery calls. Founders reach out via the contact page with a brief description of their challenge. The advisor reads the message carefully and responds with whether and how he can help. If there is a fit, the conversation continues from there — confidentially and directly.

About

From the Factory Floor to the Boardroom

I’ve spent 30 years building hardware businesses across Europe and the USA. Not studying them from the outside — building them from the ground up and wear the scars to prove it.

Who I Am

I’m a Senior Business Advisor based in Central Netherlands. When founders face critical growth decisions — market entry, scaling operations, strategic partnerships — I help them find clarity.

My background spans automotive engineering, e-mobility, and DTC e-commerce. I’ve grown European operations from zero to significant scale. I’ve also handed over businesses under financial pressure and walked away knowing the obligations were properly transferred.

I work with a maximum of three clients at a time. One-on-one only. No team coaching. No slide decks. Just direct conversation and actionable advice.

Track Record

Prowaken

President (2024–2026)
Set up DTC cold plunge e-commerce in USA from scratch. Retail launched February 2026.

Rad Power Bikes

VP Europe (2017–2024)
Built European operations from zero. And led wind-down under financial pressure with full P&L responsibility.

Zonnebloem (NGO)

Adjunct Director (2010–2017)
Managed 40,000+ volunteers and 600,000+ donors. Created wheelchair-accessible rental car network through corporate sponsorship.

LowVeld

Founder (2008 – 2012)
Built a B2B and DTC synthetic oil business in the BeNeLux.

Yamaha Motor Europe

Division Manager (1997–2008)
Helped launch the modern e-bike in Europe. Signed off while having European marketing and sales responsibility for Motrocycles, Scooters, Recreational Vehicles, Power Products, Golf Cars and Power Assist Systems.

The start of my professional life

Automotive Engineer
At the start of my career I worked as an engineer for Audi AG in Germany, Lotus Sportscars in the UK, General Electric Plastics and TNO Automotive in the Netherlands. I’ve been a Turbo C++ coder, a FEA engineer and a Crash Test project manager.

The Difference

No Theory

Practical advice drawn from the field — from someone who has built and scaled hardware businesses, not studied them.

No Junior Teams

You work directly with me, not layers of staff. Every conversation, every recommendation, every call.

Real Insight

Straightforward answers when you need them. No waiting three weeks for a slide deck that tells you what you already suspected.

How I Work

What I Bring

Market entry expertise (Europe ↔ USA, both directions)
DTC e-commerce setup and operations
Commercial strategy (B2B, B2C, B2B2C, dealer networks)
Strategic partnerships and long-term relationship management
Scaling operations from early-stage to enterprise level
Business wind-down and structured handover

What I Don’t Do

Team coaching or group facilitation
Detailed financial analysis
Work with extractive or irresponsible business models

Personal Note

At 58, I’ve learned that business is ultimately about people, not financial metrics. I build deep trust in all levels of the organisation including senior leadership across cultures. I communicate honestly and directly, proactively sharing difficult information before it becomes a crisis.

If you’re a founder facing a strategic inflection point you can’t discuss with your team, I’m here to listen first — then advise.

I am discrete. I’m your average Joe. Nobody will know who I am and what I do unless you want other people to know.

Next Steps

Ready to have a confidential conversation about your challenge?

I don’t do discovery calls. If you reach out, I’ll read your message carefully and respond with whether I can help — and how.

Request a Confidential Conversation