Jeko Kolev

Co-Founder

United Kingdom23 yrs 4 mos experience
Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

  • Scaled WeWork to over 15,000 employees globally.
  • Expert in M&A advisory for tech founders.
  • Led strategic growth initiatives across multiple regions.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a SaaS and M&A expert with extensive experience in global business development.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

M&a AdvisoryBusiness DevelopmentStrategic GrowthLeadershipSales ManagementProduct StrategyClient RelationsInnovation ManagementM&aMarket AnalysisNegotiationProject ManagementReal EstateInfrastructure DevelopmentCommunity ManagementSocial MediaFinancial AnalysisConsulting

Other Skills

exit strategymarket expertiseturnaround strategylarge commercial transactionsDeal Closingproduct launchcross-functional coordinationSalesteam buildingrevenue generationteam leadershipmarket expansionEnterprise Salesclient acquisitionpipeline management

About

I am a serial entrepreneur and investor with a background in global expansion, sales, SaaS, and M&A. I was part of the leadership team that scaled WeWork from a startup into a global company with more than 15,000 employees across 130+ markets. Through Nextoria, we help some of the world’s most prominent tech founders find strategic investors or sell their businesses. Through our family office, we invest in early-stage and pre IPO technology companies.

Experience

23 yrs 4 mos
Total Experience
4 yrs 1 mo
Average Tenure
16 yrs 11 mos
Current Experience

Juma

Founding Partner

Apr 2023Present · 3 yrs 1 mo · London Area, United Kingdom

Nextoria

Co-Founder & CEO

Feb 2021Present · 5 yrs 3 mos · Greater London

  • Nextoria is a global VC backed M&A advisory firm and technology platform on a mission to help founders of e-commerce and tech companies get acquired by qualified buyers. Leveraging data, technology, and extensive market expertise we work with business owners to advise them on their exit strategy and get them the best exit terms possible at the right time.
M&A advisoryexit strategymarket expertiseBusiness Development

Wework

5 roles

Global Head Of Strategic Growth

Mar 2020Feb 2021 · 11 mos

  • The new company leadership invited me to stay with the business and help with the turnaround of WeWork. I was promoted to become the Global Head of Strategic Growth and functional leader of our Portfolio Sales organisation in Europe, The Middle East and Africa, responsible for all large commercial transactions including those with our Fortune 500 accounts. The team generates more than 60% of the overall company revenue.
  • I also started leading Leadership, Negotiation and Deal Closing classes across our global Sales team of 2,500 people.
turnaround strategylarge commercial transactionsLeadershipNegotiationDeal ClosingStrategic Growth

Head of Strategic Growth & Senior Director of Sales EMEA & Australia

Promoted

Jan 2019Mar 2020 · 1 yr 2 mos

  • After building from scratch the Strategic Growth teams in Europe, The Middle East, Africa and Australia (50+ direct and indirect reports and 120+ people involved in the day to day operations of the team as per Q3 of 2019) and supporting the launching of the Strategic Growth teams in China, India and the US throughout 2017/2018, at the end of 2018 I was promoted to Senior Director of Sales for the region in addition to my Strategic Growth leadership role.
  • By Q1 of 2020 (my last quarter as a leader of the Strategic Growth and Medium and Large Business Sales teams) the organisation I was in charge of generating 57% of the Total Contract Value for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region.
  • In 2019, my team was responsible for the launch of the "Headquarters by WeWork" product in Europe, The Middle East and Africa. It's a new product line focused on businesses with more than 50 employees that are seeking a completely private, branded and fully customised Headquarter for their business that can go from a single dedicated floor to an entire dedicated office building.
  • I have led the coordination between the regional Product, Technology, Real Estate, Operations, Marketing and Sales teams for the launch of the first Headquarters by WeWork buildings in the three continents that fall within the region. Subsequently, my team has been in charge of the revenue generated from this new product line and in our first quarter we have delivered the largest Headquarters by WeWork deal globally- a fully dedicated HQ building for 867 people.
Strategic Growthproduct launchcross-functional coordinationSales ManagementProduct Strategy

Director of Strategic Growth and Corporate Sales EMEA & Australia

Promoted

Jul 2017Jan 2019 · 1 yr 6 mos

  • Built from scratch and led a multidisciplinary Sales, Expansion and Growth team responsible to deliver 35%+ of the company revenue in Europe, The Middle East, Africa and Australia.
  • The team is composed of people with diverse professional background- business development and outbound/inbound sales executives, account managers, financial analysts, architects and product professionals.
  • The team is responsible for our business expansion and further growth across Europe, Africa Middle East and Australia regions with a specific focus on revenue generated from large corporations and fast growing scale ups. In addition to setting the team operations in multiple countries across the region, I supported China, India and the US in establishing the Strategic Growth teams in their respective regions.
SalesBusiness Developmentteam buildingSales Management

Enterprise Sales Manager EMEA & Australia

Promoted

Jun 2016Jul 2017 · 1 yr 1 mo

  • In mid 2016 the WeWork Enterprise team was established and the goal was to target and bring to WeWork large corporations including Fortune 500 companies. I was the first London based member of the Enterprise team covering the entire EMEA region. From July 2016 to January 2017 the sales generated from the Enterprise segment increased from less than 5% of our total sales for the region to more than 30%, which means a pipeline worth 200+ million dollars. Under my lead some great companies like Deloitte, Barclays, Virgin Media, Munich Re, Christie's, UBS, Nielsen, Nokia, Lloyds Bank, AllianceData (Epsilon), Adecco, Cimpress (Vistaprint), Subway, AbINBev, GoPro, Network Rail, Centrica, Skanska and others have joined WeWork.
revenue generationteam leadershipmarket expansionSales ManagementBusiness Development

Global Expansion Lead

Sep 2015Jun 2016 · 9 mos

  • Part of a small team responsible for the execution of the aggressive growth and global expansion strategy that the company undertook in 2015. In two years the company presence expanded from only 5 cities in a few countries to more than 50+ cities on five continents. Since I joined, our monthly sales have increased more than 30 times to hit 1+ billion in annual revenue, which has been one of the areas of primary interest for the team.
Enterprise Salesclient acquisitionpipeline managementSales ManagementClient Relations

Tripadvisor

Product and Business Development Strategy

Sep 2014Sep 2015 · 1 yr · Greater Boston Area

  • Led product and business development with Hank Hudepohl - Vice President of Strategy at TripAdvisor.
global expansionsales strategymarket analysisBusiness DevelopmentSales Management

Mohegan tribal gaming authority

Business Diversification Consultant

Jan 2014Jul 2014 · 6 mos · Greater Boston Area

  • Worked with the Business Diversification department and the Mohegan Tribal Council on a large business development project with focus on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
  • Researched industry benchmarks, best practices and KPIs of successful Innovation Center launches through depth-interviews with industry experts, innovation centers and accelerators directors, and entrepreneurs within established innovation centers.
  • Created and presented implementation plan to the Tribal Government and to the Chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority.
  • (The project was part of an academically sponsored program)
product developmentbusiness strategyProduct StrategyBusiness Development

Vaptech

2 roles

Country Manager Albania, Italy and Switzerland

Promoted

Dec 2011Nov 2012 · 11 mos

  • VAPTECH in Albania http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBHdAM9afxM
  • Responsibilities: Acquire a complete understanding of the Albanian hydropower market by collecting data and performing a detailed market analysis. Acquire in-depth knowledge of the legal frame that regulates the river concessions, permits for HPP development, green energy trading etc. and assist the Albanian government to make this framework more efficient and responsive to the needs of the market. Secure investors, collaborate with banks and financial institutions and build close relationships with institutions like Ministry of Economy and Energetics and HPP design studios. Opening a representation office in the city of Tirana, building a small but efficient team and creating a durable on-time structure, to support and develop the business of VAPTECH in Albania. Building a VAPTECH maintainance center in Albania, which will offer technical support and management for HPPs.
  • Key Accomplishments:
  • As of mid-2013, secured 8 contracts between VAPTECH and Albanian clients for the supply of electro-mechanical equipment for HPP projects and consulting services for a total value exceeding $12,000,000.
  • In October 2012 VAPTECH signed a memorandum with a leading HPP investor for the supply, maintenance and management of other 3 HPPs. By the end of 2012, there will be a fully operative VAPTECH HPP in Albania.
  • Organized VAPTECH’s premiere event for Albania with the participation of almost 200 Albanian companies and of the Bulgarian and Albanian Prime Ministers. All leading Albanian media covered the event.
  • These accomplishments made VAPTECH the leader in small and medium HPP in Albania well ahead of initial estimations.
global expansionM&Abusiness developmentBusiness Development

Global Head of Business Development and Expansion

Nov 2009Sep 2013 · 3 yrs 10 mos

  • VAPTECH is a global supplier of products and services for hydropower plants, the metal forming industry, biomass processing and automation systems. Founded in 1914, VAPTECH supplies products and services in more than 40 countries around the world.
  • Led VAPTECH’s global expansion in several regions worldwide and was also in charge of International Partnerships and M&A opportunities. My main focus was on creating long-term value for the company by assessing markets with high potential; setting up our operations in these markets including our Business Development and Sales teams; exploring new business and M&A opportunities; establishing business and political partnerships that would enhance our value proposition; crafting and executing marketing campaigns; generating high profile leads; negotiating and closing complex deals; implementing multimillion dollar projects. The successful accomplishment of above goals translated into a number of successful partnerships and multimillion dollar revenue streams generated in new markets.
business developmentinnovation strategyBusiness DevelopmentInnovation Management

Conad

Co-Owner

Jun 2009Present · 16 yrs 11 mos · London Area, United Kingdom · Remote

Riviera kakome investment company

Managing Director

Feb 2009Dec 2011 · 2 yrs 10 mos · Tirana, Albania

  • Riviera Kakome IC is a Special Purpose Vehicle focused on the development of a international 5-star sea resort on the Ionian Sea coast in Southern Albania.
  • Total investment: 75,000,000 euro
  • Spot size: 7,750,000 ft2
  • Build up area: 700,000+ ft2
  • The project was backed by the world leading tour operator Club Med, France and by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
  • Key achievements:
  • Successfully led a very complex privatisation procedure and secured for the company arguably the best sea front spot in the entire region.
  • The project was presented at the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) 2012 in Berlin to Four Season, Hilton, Rezidor HG (Radisson), Marriott, Six Senses, Starwood Hotels (Sheraton) and leading RE and leisure hospitality consulting companies among which HVS, Horwath HTL, Colliers International, Leisure Dreams UK submitted official proposals to get involved with the conceptual development of the project.
market analysiscontract negotiationMarket AnalysisNegotiation

Balkan roads jsc

CEO and Member of Board of Directors

Oct 2008Dec 2011 · 3 yrs 2 mos · Tirana, Albania

  • “Balkan Roads” JSC is part of “Holding Roads” PLC, which is a leading Bulgarian company represented on a national and international scale. The company has inherited more than 115 years of tradition in the field of designing, construction and maintenance of many types of infrastructure facilities.
  • I was appointed CEO of Balkan Roads JSC since inception. My main goal was to facilitate the successfully entrance and future growth of “Holding Roads” PLC (latter “PST Holding” PLC) in the West Balkans region. Some of my duties were:
  • Prepare a yearly detailed investment program and operating budget.
  • Lead all registration and licensing procedures.
  • Establish a company org chart and lead the HR process for all key positions.
  • Prepare an extensive Due Diligence Report, which provides a comprehensive picture of the local legislation related to construction activity, tender procedures, donors and investors in roads’ construction, tax system etc.
  • Develop and implement a marketing, acquisition and institution-approaching strategy.
  • Propose a M&A plan for the acquisition of local companies in order to extend the geographical range of action.
  • Develop of a broad and reliable network of subcontractors in every area of the region.
  • Ensuring the eligibility of Balkan Roads and of Holding Roads in the tenders offered by all main donors and investors in the roads’ construction sector in Albania and the region.
  • Attracting leading Western European companies as partners for joint participation in the biggest infrastructural projects in Albania.
  • Enabling the coexistence and interaction between the Bulgarian and Albanian business practices.
  • Key achievements:
  • Participation in more than 40 tenders for construction and reconstruction of roads and other infrastructure facilities.
  • Procurement, Management and Implementation of 11 projects for roads reconstruction. Total value $24,000,000+
project managementreal estate developmentProject ManagementReal Estate

Innfor - milan, italy

Senior Associate

Jun 2005Jun 2008 · 3 yrs · Milan, Italy

  • Consulting services and external audits for the Italian Stock Exchange. In brief, the activity was focused on optimizing the revenues of stock exchange entities generated from the sale and distribution of stock exchange quotations and other price-sensitive information.
  • I reached the level of a Senior Analyst on a long-term project-based contract.
  • After an extensive training performed by the company executives, my duties were to inspect Italian Stock Exchange clients like Reuters, Bloomberg, IS-Teledata etc. on how they resell quotations and if they are correct with the ISE. The controls were performed by applying sophisticated audit technologies including statistical analysis models and IT research on the distribution of data information. I acquired a vast network and knowledge on the financial markets’ organization in Italy with a focus on the functioning of the Italian Stock Exchange.
community buildingsocial networkingCommunity ManagementSocial Media

Prince 1991

International Sales Executive

Jul 2004Jun 2005 · 11 mos · Milan, Italy

  • Prince 1991 is the largest leather bags and accessories producer in Bulgaria
  • I was organizing the company’s participation in exhibitions all around Italy, including the selection and management of part-time personnel during the events. I was in charge of representing PRINCE 1991 in these exhibitions which were aimed at attracting new international clients and setting up a long-term successful relationship with them.
  • Negotiated and signed multiple purchase contracts with clients from Italy, UK, Ireland and the rest of Europe. Many of these buyers have been recurrent clients ever since generating about 25% of Prince 1991's cumulated yearly revenues.
  • In 2006 on MIPEL (one of the biggest exhibitions of leather bags worldwide) the company was awarded a nomination for quality and was officially congratulated during a gala dinner at the event for the successful participation in the exhibition, even though it was only its second participation with a stand in MIPEL. These recognitions were also merit to the marketing and PR effort my team and I made before and during the fair.
  • http://princebags.com/en/page/2/international-awards.html
financial analysisconsultingFinancial AnalysisConsulting

Most consult - milan, italy

International Business Development Consultant

Oct 2003Jul 2004 · 9 mos · Milan Area, Italy

  • Type of business: Business Consulting Services, aiming at supporting Eastern European companies in accessing the Italian market. (Part time job)
  • Occupation and activities: Junior Consultant – assistance of clients, translations, etc. My duties were to offer client-requested ad-hoc services. Examples of this include organizing a tour among Italian wine producers of different sizes and providing a list of all the meat traders in Northern Italy as well as arranging meetings with the ones who were short listed. Sometimes I had to identify local companies who could match the parameters provided by our clients, access these companies, make them interested in meeting our clients, arrange the meetings, provide the transportation, translators etc. Many of those client companies (most of which from Eastern Europe), being satisfied with my performance, hired me afterwards for different tasks concerning their interests in Italy.
sales managementclient relationsSales ManagementClient Relations

Phrasebase.com

Co-Founder

Jan 2003Jan 2009 · 6 yrs

  • A social network and collaborative community of language exchange partners engaged in helping each other learn foreign languages.
  • In 2007 we reached 250,000+ active subscribers and almost 1 million translations prior to exiting the business.
infrastructure developmentproject managementProject ManagementInfrastructure Development

Education

Babson F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business

Master of Business Administration - MBA — Business Administration and Entrepreneurship

Jan 2013Jan 2015

Università Bocconi

BA

Jan 2004Jan 2008

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