30 years of EU market expertise. We assess your real readiness, tell you what others won't, and guide you from strategy to your first European customer.
"The most valuable thing we can offer is an honest assessment — even when the answer is no. Especially when the answer is no."
Mike Hes · Founder, HES Consultancy International
Bedrijven die via HCI de EU markt betreden realiseren gemiddeld 3,4× meer omzet in kwartaal 4 versus kwartaal 1.
Most advisors tell you what you want to hear.
We built our reputation on telling you what you need to hear —
before you invest time, money and credibility in the wrong approach.
After 30 years working with companies like Citrix, Huawei, DXC and Telindus across Europe, we know exactly what makes EU market entry succeed — and fail. That knowledge is what we put to work for you.
These are real engagements — anonymised at client request. Some we proceeded with. Some we redirected. All of them saved our clients from expensive mistakes.
A Canadian EHR founder approached HCI to represent their product in Western Europe. After a full assessment: product maturity was below the threshold of existing EU market leaders. Western Europe was not viable.
"Advice: Eastern Europe first, via local ISV OEM partnerships. Founder avoided a costly failed market entry."
A smart city platform with impressive tech and strong US/APAC traction wanted to enter the Dutch municipal market. HCI's due diligence identified three critical blockers under EU AI Act and GDPR before a single conversation happened.
"Core AI features either banned or requiring full redesign for EU. Compliance audit and EU SKU development required before any sales activity."
A fully European compliance communications platform — email, chat, video, file sharing — was assessed for the Dutch healthcare sector following the Zivver/Kiteworks acquisition and subsequent CLOUD Act exposure confirmed in official parliamentary documents.
"3,500+ organisations actively seeking a European alternative. NEN 7510 certification roadmap: 4-9 months. Market timing: optimal."
A Dutch digital sovereignty specialist with 22+ years enterprise experience and 8 proprietary frameworks had exceptional IP — but no commercial packaging. Market timing was optimal: Dutch parliament sovereignty motions, NIS2, AI Act.
"Diamond in the rough: IP score 9/10, market timing 9/10, commercial readiness 4/10. HCI role: translate expertise into sellable products."
A software vendor requested representation in a market that held significant bias against their country of origin — independent of product quality. HCI's network confirmed the bias was real, not perceived.
"Advice: reposition via a neutral EU entity and target sectors with lower country-of-origin sensitivity first."
An AI video platform for medical communication had strong traction in the US — where HCAHPS scores link directly to Medicare reimbursement. That mechanism doesn't exist in Europe. Full value proposition rebuild required.
"EU opportunity is real — workforce shortage, WGBO compliance, health literacy gap. But not a copy-paste of the US model. Phase 1: paid market readiness assessment."
HCI operates on fixed-programme pricing. You buy a defined outcome, not our time. Each programme has a fixed scope, fixed deliverables, and a fixed price — regardless of how long execution takes.
ICP validation. Top-20 target accounts. Competitive mapping. Regulatory risk check. Written report and debrief. Know exactly where you stand before you invest.
Go-to-market strategy. 5–10 qualified introduction meetings. Partner screening. Monthly reporting. First conversations within 6–8 weeks.
Dedicated EU business development. Full deal support to signed contract. Tender guidance. Co-selling with partners. The promise — priced.
Seven minutes. Six dimensions. One honest score. The EU Readiness Scan tells you exactly how prepared your company is for European market entry — and where the gaps are.
Score 55+: You're market ready. Score 0-29: We need to build the foundation first. Either way, you'll know exactly where you stand — before spending a euro on market entry.
Start the Free Scan — 7 minutes"I have walked away from engagements where I knew the product wouldn't make it in Europe. That integrity is the only reason clients trust my introductions when I say yes."
Mike Hes has spent 30 years in enterprise sales and business development
across the European technology market — at Citrix, Huawei, DXC Technology
and Telindus, among others. Since January 2026, he runs HES Consultancy
International full-time, bringing that experience directly to technology
companies navigating EU market entry.
His approach is direct, analytical and built on one principle:
an honest assessment now is worth more than a failed market entry later.
Start Here
Take the free EU Readiness Scan and know exactly where you stand. Or book a direct call with Mike — no sales pitch, just an honest conversation.