Nicolas Payen
linkedin.com/in/nicolaspayen
📞 +31 6 21 30 38 48
✉️ nicolas_payen@icloud.com
🌐 My Website
Händellaan 15, 1411 JG Naarden, The Netherlands
Summary
Dynamic international business leader with 20 years of experience driving strategy, innovation, and growth in the Energy and Digital Technology sectors. Expertise in business strategy, digital transformation, and sustainable finance, with a proven track record in investment, product development, and scaling businesses across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Seeking leadership roles in Business Management, Product Management, Strategy, Corporate VC, Innovation, or Digital/Business Transformation. Interested in joining an impact company driving the energy transition. Past experiences in managing team of 80+ people, and business activities up to €200Mln.
Skills
- General Management & Business Growth – Full P&L responsibility, proven track record in scaling teams and driving growth across Europe and Asia.
- Commercial Strategy & Partnerships – Expertise in go-to-market execution, key account management, and regional expansion.
- Digital Transformation & IoT – Led the development of digital platforms and industrial IoT solutions.
- Entrepreneurship & Venture Building – Built startups and innovation studios, raised funds, designed and launched products.
- Sustainable Finance & Investments – Structured impact investment funds, analyzed and supported renewable energy project financing.
Significant Experience
- General Management & Growth – Positive Energy Ltd (CEO), Schneider Electric (Asia Commercial Director)
- Digital Transformation & Innovation – MANN+HUMMEL (IoT Lab Director), Schneider Electric (Smart Home Project Director)
- Entrepreneurship & Impact – Future Economy Studio (Founder), GreenEU Fund (Co-initiator)
- Partnerships & Business Development – Schneider Electric (Channel Director APAC/MENA), Silicomp / Orange Business Services (Project Manager)
Sectors of Expertise
- Energy & renewable energy
- Electrical engineering & automation systems
- Digital technology & industrial IoT
- Sustainable real estate & smart building
- Infrastructure finance / climate / ESG
- Industry (automotive, filtration, manufacturing)
- Innovation consulting and product development
Work Experience
Positive Energy LtdFounder & CEO
- Led product design, governance, and sales, growing platform to 750 companies.
- Drove $1.2B potential project financing, securing $100K revenue in 12 months.
- Structured partnerships for €175M GreenEU investment fund.
- Hired and managed 9 FTEs at peak
Future Economy StudioFounder & Managing Director
- Developed and tested four ventures across digital and industrial tech.
- Grew portfolio valuation to $4.5M by end of 2019.
MANN+HUMMELGlobal IoT / Industry 4.0 Lab Director
Kick-off and deploy digital transformation initiatives for the group.
- Developed IoT-enabled filtration monitoring solutions, targeting $5M revenue.
- Launched new digital services, integrating Industry 4.0 applications.
- Hired/managed Direct 5.
Schneider-ElectricAPAC & Middle East Channel Director
- Expanded partner network, optimizing sales strategies across 10+ countries.
- Developed EcoExperts program, enhancing channel engagement and revenue.
- Managed Direct: 1 Indirect: 8.
Asia Commercial Director
- Achieved turnaround from -15% to +15% YoY growth.
- Developed partnerships with regional telecom & utility providers.
- Managed Direct: 5, Indirect: 80 (Asia).
Global Smart Home Project Director
- Launched energy management platform Wiser, expanding IoT offerings.
- Developed demand-side management API for utilities.
- Hired/managed Direct: 6, Indirect: 17.
Product Manager
- Developed business case for €30M market expansion.
- Led product adaptation for Nordic countries.
Deputy Marketing Manager
- Developed strategic recommendations.
- Propose Make/Buy scenarios with M&A targets.
Orange Business Services (Silicomp AQL)Technical Project Manager
- Concurrency SW projects management & team management
- Presales activities, Project organisation and execution, Comissioning and roll-out of the solution.
- Customers: Companie National Du Rhône (EDF), Alstom, Renault Trucks, CEA, BIC, Schneider-Electric
Education
Harvard Business School (2014) - Executive Certificate
Creating Shared Value by Michael Porter
EMLyon Business School (2004 - 2005) - Masters
Technology & Innovation Management
INPG ESISAR (1997 - 2002) - Engineer’s Degree
Industrial Engineering
Online executive education
University Bocconi (2021)
Private Equity & Venture Capital
University Bocconi (2021)
Financing & Investing in infrastructure
INSEAD (2017)
Strategy in the Age of Digital Disruption
Hobbies
Photography [.],
Volunteering & fundraising for foundation "Het Gehandicapte Kind" [.],
Climate Tech group animation [.],
Investing and 4Gs portfolio management [.] & [.]