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Your product architecture is quietly shaping your supplier risk.
I work with companies building hardware-enabled products or operational systems - assessing and restructuring across product architecture, supplier structure, operating model, and AI/automation readiness, so the system can scale without breaking.
I work with companies building hardware-enabled products or operational systems - assessing and restructuring across product architecture, supplier structure, operating model, and AI/automation readiness, so the system can scale without breaking.
AI / ML Operational Advisory
Former Deep Tech CTO & Managing Director
Software & Hardware Architecture
China Strategy / Fluent Mandarin
AI / ML Operational Advisory
Former Deep Tech CTO & Managing Director
Software & Hardware Architecture
China Strategy / Fluent Mandarin
AI / ML Operational Advisory
Former Deep Tech CTO & Managing Director
Software & Hardware Architecture
China Strategy / Fluent Mandarin
Many companies build their product, supplier base, and operations in parallel — without a unifying architectural logic. The result is structural misalignment that only becomes visible at scale.
Are you noticing this in your product and operations?
• Costs and architecture of technical systems are drifting away from financial realities and business models
• There are many moving parts but you are not sure how and if they converge
• A single supplier effectively defines a critical part of your product
• Alternative components and suppliers may exist but you are not sure how to find the right ones
• Changing suppliers would require redesigning hardware, firmware, or integrations
• You constantly hear about AI opportunities but are not sure how and if these can help in your systems
• You have regulatory, security, and/or safety concerns about components from East Asia
• Software and hardware decisions tightly couple you to specific modules or chipsets
In many cases, these are not isolated problems. They are symptoms of a deeper issue: the product architecture, supplier structure, and operating model were never designed as a coherent modular system.
What I do
I work across three tightly coupled layers: product architecture, supplier structure, and operational setup.
Product & System Architecture
Identify architectural decisions that create cost, complexity, or supplier lock-in. Evaluate modularity, interfaces, and substitution options.
Product & System Architecture
Identify architectural decisions that create cost, complexity, or supplier lock-in. Evaluate modularity, interfaces, and substitution options.
Supplier & Sourcing Structure
Analyze supplier dependencies, concentration risk, and switching constraints. Redesign supplier setup for resilience and negotiation leverage particularly in cases involving Chinese manufacturing.
Business Solutions
Analyze supplier dependencies, concentration risk, and switching constraints. Redesign supplier setup for resilience and negotiation leverage particularly in cases involving Chinese manufacturing.
Operational & Scaling Structure
Evaluate how product and supplier decisions translate into operational behavior. Identify bottlenecks, fragility, and scaling constraints. Evaluate architectural alignment with business model and operational constraints.
System Audit & Structural Assessment
A structured assessment of how architecture, suppliers, and operations interact. Outputs: structural risk identification, prioritized decision points, and concrete recommendations. Identify opportunities for leveraging AI in systems and operations.
System Audit & Structural Assessment
A structured assessment of how architecture, suppliers, and operations interact. Outputs: structural risk identification, prioritized decision points, and concrete recommendations. Identify opportunities for leveraging AI in systems and operations.
Ongoing Support
Following the audit, I work as a senior partner — supporting key structural decisions as companies restructure their architecture, supplier base, and operations.
What I do
I work across three tightly coupled layers: product architecture, supplier structure, and operational setup.
Product & System Architecture
Identify architectural decisions that create cost, complexity, or supplier lock-in. Evaluate modularity, interfaces, and substitution options.
Supplier & Sourcing Structure
Analyze supplier dependencies, concentration risk, and switching constraints. Redesign supplier setup for resilience and negotiation leverage particularly in cases involving Chinese manufacturing.
Operational & Scaling Structure
Evaluate how product and supplier decisions translate into operational behavior. Identify bottlenecks, fragility, and scaling constraints. Evaluate architectural alignment with business model and operational constraints.
System Audit & Structural Assessment
A structured assessment of how architecture, suppliers, and operations interact. Outputs: structural risk identification, prioritized decision points, and concrete recommendations. Identify opportunities for leveraging AI in systems and operations.
Ongoing Support
Following the audit, I work as a senior partner — supporting key structural decisions as companies restructure their architecture, supplier base, and operations.
Where Most Engagements Start
Not sure where to start? Most people come in through one of three questions: — "We're sourcing from China and something isn't working." — "We want to use AI to reduce operational load but don't know where it actually applies." — "Our product works but the structure underneath it wasn't built for where we're going."
Any of these is enough to start. The Structural Readiness Audit then maps where the real constraints are.
In most cases, what it finds is a version of the same underlying pattern:
Most supplier problems don't start in procurement. They start in architectural decisions made years earlier — component choices, software dependencies, OEM pathways that were never designed for the scale you're now approaching and for the opportunities and changes AI is creating. Identifying those constraints early is what creates room to act.
Read the full explanation of how architecture creates supplier lock-in
Where Most Engagements Start
Not sure where to start? Most people come in through one of three questions: — "We're sourcing from China and something isn't working." — "We want to use AI to reduce operational load but don't know where it actually applies." — "Our product works but the structure underneath it wasn't built for where we're going."
Any of these is enough to start. The Structural Readiness Audit then maps where the real constraints are.
In most cases, what it finds is a version of the same underlying pattern:
Most supplier problems don't start in procurement. They start in architectural decisions made years earlier — component choices, software dependencies, OEM pathways that were never designed for the scale you're now approaching and for the opportunities and changes AI is creating. Identifying those constraints early is what creates room to act.
Read the full explanation of how architecture creates supplier lock-in
How I Typically Work
Step 1
Architecture & Dependency Diagnosis
Analyze product architecture, component selection, software structure, and AI/automation opportunities to identify structural constraints — and where operating workflows create avoidable cost or fragility.
Step 1
Architecture & Dependency Diagnosis
Analyze product architecture, component selection, software structure, and—where applicable—AI/edge processing dependencies to identify structural constraints.
Step 2
System & Supplier Strategy
Define targeted architectural adjustments and sourcing strategies to reduce lock-in across hardware, and software, while improving flexibility and negotiating leverage - especially in setups involving Chinese suppliers
Step 2
System & Supplier Strategy
Define targeted architectural adjustments and sourcing strategies to reduce lock-in across hardware, and software, while improving flexibility and negotiating leverage.
Step 3
Sourcing Strategy & OEM Pathway
Define a credible OEM, ODM, or contract manufacturing pathway — including China sourcing strategy, specification quality, and structural supplier positioning — to support negotiation leverage and long-term resilience.
Step 4
Implementation Support
Work alongside your team as a senior decision partner during implementation — supporting architectural, sourcing, OEM, and AI/automation decisions as your structure develops.
Step 4
Implementation Support
Work alongside your team as a senior decision partner during implementation — supporting architectural, sourcing, OEM, and AI/automation decisions as your structure develops.
Why System Design Matters More Than Sourcing
Most advisors optimize parts of the system. I focus on how the system is designed.
Others Advisors
Focus only on supplier search rather than product architecture
Reactive procurement after supplier issues appear
Limited understanding of hardware and firmware dependencies
Heavy reliance on a small number of suppliers
Treat advanced capabilities (e.g. connectivity or AI) as add-ons rather than architectural constraints
Analyze how product & architecture decisions influence supplier flexibility
Identify component choices that create supplier lock-in
Develop sourcing strategies aligned with system architecture and operational constraints
Expand options through architectural adjustments
Ensure systems remain flexible, portable, and not tied to specific vendors or toolchains where possible
Why System Design Matters More Than Sourcing
Most advisors optimize parts of the system. I focus on how the system is designed.
Others Advisors
Focus only on supplier search rather than product architecture
Reactive procurement after supplier issues appear
Limited understanding of hardware and firmware dependencies
Heavy reliance on a small number of suppliers
Treat advanced capabilities (e.g. connectivity or AI) as add-ons rather than architectural constraints
Analyze how product & architecture decisions influence supplier flexibility
Identify component choices that create supplier lock-in
Develop sourcing strategies aligned with system architecture and operational constraints
Expand options through architectural adjustments
Ensure systems remain flexible, portable, and not tied to specific vendors or toolchains where possible
Selected Feedback
Sebastian combines deep technical understanding with strong system-level thinking across software, hardware, and global supply chains. He consistently demonstrated excellent analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex topics clearly across engineering and executive teams.
Steve C (USA)
CTO (retired), Fortune 500 Company
Sebastian conducted a scalability audit of our systems and supply chain and helped us define a development and procurement roadmap aligned with our financial constraints. He identified a better-fit hardware component and supplier in China, projected to save tens of thousands of euros at scale, and supported the efficient integration into our software stack.
Theo F (Germany)
CEO, Hardware Startup
Sebastian led the implementation of a cloud-based platform with integrated edge devices for our municipality. He coordinated across software, hardware, and stakeholder groups and successfully delivered a system that operates reliably at scale. His ability to translate complex technical requirements into practical solutions was particularly valuable.
Alexander S (Austria)
Mayor, European Municipality (Digital Infrastructure Project)
Sebastian combines deep technical understanding with strong system-level thinking across software, hardware, and global supply chains. He consistently demonstrated excellent analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex topics clearly across engineering and executive teams.
Steve C (USA)
CTO (retired), Fortune 500 Company
Sebastian conducted a scalability audit of our systems and supply chain and helped us define a development and procurement roadmap aligned with our financial constraints. He identified a better-fit hardware component and supplier in China, projected to save tens of thousands of euros at scale, and supported the efficient integration into our software stack.
Theo F (Germany)
CEO, Hardware Startup
Sebastian led the implementation of a cloud-based platform with integrated edge devices for our municipality. He coordinated across software, hardware, and stakeholder groups and successfully delivered a system that operates reliably at scale. His ability to translate complex technical requirements into practical solutions was particularly valuable.
Alexander S (Austria)
Mayor, European Municipality (Digital Infrastructure Project)
About Sebastian
I am a former deep-tech Managing Director and systems architect with a background in computer science, engineering leadership, and leading multidisciplinary technology organizations. I am business fluent in Mandarin Chinese and have worked extensively with Chinese tech teams.
I work with growing companies building hardware-enabled products or operational systems where product architecture, supplier decisions, and operational structure are tightly coupled — but insufficiently designed for scale. I do not operate as a procurement manager, sourcing agent, or generic consultant. I operate at the level of system architecture, supplier strategy, and scale readiness while ensuring that product and system architecture are aligned with business needs.
Your questions, answered.
Find quick answers to common queries about my services, process, and how I can help you achieve your goals.
Do we need to redesign our entire product architecture?
At what stage of company growth is this most relevant?
Do you also help identify alternative suppliers?
Is this procurement consulting?
Which types of companies benefit most from this work?
What does a typical engagement look like?
Your questions, answered.
Find quick answers to common queries about my services, process, and how I can help you achieve your goals.
Do we need to redesign our entire product architecture?
At what stage of company growth is this most relevant?
Do you also help identify alternative suppliers?
Is this procurement consulting?
Which types of companies benefit most from this work?
What does a typical engagement look like?
Your questions, answered.
Find quick answers to common queries about my services, process, and how I can help you achieve your goals.
Do we need to redesign our entire product architecture?
At what stage of company growth is this most relevant?
Do you also help identify alternative suppliers?
Is this procurement consulting?
Which types of companies benefit most from this work?
What does a typical engagement look like?
Start with a Structural Audit
A focused assessment covering product architecture, supplier structure, OEM pathway, cost transparency, and AI/automation readiness.
Sounds Interesting?
30-minute conversation · Free of Charge · No preparation required
Start with a Structural Audit
A focused assessment covering product architecture, supplier structure, OEM pathway, cost transparency, and AI/automation readiness.
Sounds Interesting?
30-minute conversation · Free of Charge · No preparation required
Start with a Structural Audit
A focused assessment covering product architecture, supplier structure, OEM pathway, cost transparency, and AI/automation readiness.
Sounds Interesting?