Open to opportunities

Lene Schulze

@leneschulze

Technology and ecosystem strategist helping companies and governments launch pilots and partnerships for scalable market growth.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead go-to-market and ecosystem strategy where I can design pilots, structure cross-sector partnerships, and drive commercially viable growth in complex emerging markets alongside investors, operators, and government.

I’m a technology and ecosystem strategist with 15+ years accelerating market entry, go-to-market execution, and innovation programs across startups, global technology companies, government agencies, and consulting. I operate at the intersection of technology, market strategy, and policy—assembling partnerships across capital, operators, technology providers, and government to design innovation programs and validate new business models.

As Principal at NORD STRATEGIES, I lead an independent advisory practice focused on go-to-market strategy, partnership development, innovation program design, and commercial growth. I design and launch proof-of-concept and pilot programs to test new deployment models, validate market assumptions, and de-risk commercial and public investment decisions.

I’ve advised major public investment efforts, including the Illinois Office of Broadband across the full program lifecycle for $1.35B+ in public investment—from program design and subgrantee selection through post-award implementation. I also serve as BEAD advisor to Taara (Alphabet/X), acting as primary liaison to state broadband authorities to establish free space optics (FSO) as a recognized eligible technology and guiding ISP subgrantees to correctly structure BEAD applications within a $42B federal program.

Previously, as Head of Global Partnerships & Business Development at BLUETOWN, I led commercial and ecosystem strategy across emerging and underserved markets, directing market expansion across 3 African countries and growing through 100+ deployment sites. I structured strategic partnerships contributing to $2M+ in funding (including Microsoft and USAID), designed and launched U.S.-based pilot programs (University of California), and integrated digital inclusion into rollout plans—balancing growth objectives with long-term community adoption.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Principal, Market & Innovation

Current

Nord Strategies

Jan 2022 - Present (4 years 4 months)

Led an independent advisory practice supporting technology companies, investors, government agencies, and NGOs with go-to-market strategy, partnership development, and innovation program design. Advised Illinois Office of Broadband on $1.35B+ in public investment, served as a BEAD advisor for Taara within a $42B federal program, and supported Mawingu Networks’ digital inclusion strategy reaching 3

Go To Market Strategy Partnership Development Market Entry Strategy Public Investment Program Advisory Stakeholder Management

Head of Global Partnerships

Bluetown

Jan 2017 - Jan 2023 (6 years)

Directed global partnerships and business development for a venture-backed technology company operating across Africa and the United States. Expanded into 3 African countries with 100+ deployment sites, structured partnerships contributing to $2M+ in funding (including Microsoft and USAID), and launched a U.S. technology pilot with the University of California.

Business Development Global Partnerships Market Expansion Partnerships Digital Inclusion Strategy

Head of Deloitte Nordic Labs

Monitor Deloitte

Jan 2016 - Jan 2017 (1 year)

Established a transatlantic innovation bridge between Silicon Valley and Nordic corporate and public-sector stakeholders. Cultivated partnerships with Cisco and Salesforce and advised executives on digital transformation and emerging technology adoption to develop business models that drove revenue growth.

Digital Transformation Strategic Partnerships Business Modeling Revenue Growth

Managing Director

42 Associates

Jan 2015 - Jan 2016 (1 year)

Built and scaled U.S. operations for a global growth consultancy, exceeding revenue and profitability targets within the first year. Led a collaboration-driven consulting model focused on innovation-led growth for Fortune 500 clients and high-growth startups.

Operations Leadership Revenue Growth Consulting Delivery Client Partnerships Go To Market Planning

Deputy Director & Co-Founder

Innovation Centre Denmark

Jan 2006 - Jan 2015 (9 years)

Co-founded and led SCALEit at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, designing and piloting an international innovation platform in Silicon Valley that scaled to 7 global innovation hubs. Supported 100+ Nordic startups with U.S. market entry and built public-private partnerships between Nordic governments and Silicon Valley technology ecosystems.

International Innovation Programs Public Private Partnerships Startup Support Market Entry Support Ecosystem Building