How we work

Shaeps works with Nordic and European SMEs whose competitive advantage sits in brand, technology, or industrial know-how. The market entry engagement runs in three stages, on a no cure, no pay basis:

What staged entry means

We establish only the minimum legal and operational presence required to test commercial assumptions in-market. Full entry structure is built only once those commercial assumptions are validated. It operates on three layers

Minimum viable presence

Enough legal and operational footing to sign agreements, engage distributors and hold real commercial conversations. This is not entry. It is the infrastructure that makes testing possible.

Validation

Where the commercial assumptions are tested - demand, partner behaviour, pricing acceptance, channel viability. This is where the go/no-go decision is made.

Full entry structure

Built only after validation confirms the case. Legal entity, team, channel, launch.

Three-stage engagement

Every engagement runs through the same three stages to deliver a staged entry. Validation is layer two. Entry planning and execution build layer three. Most entries commit to an entity, a distributor and a launch plan before anyone has tested whether the commercial case holds. The cost of being wrong is then at its highest, and the evidence that would have prevented it arrives last.

01

Market validation

What it covers: demand, partner capability, commercial feasibility.

What it produces: an evidence set that enables you to make a qualified go/no-go decision.

Decision point: proceed to entry planning, reiterate, or no-go.

Validate market

02

Entry planning

What it covers: The targeted business model and plan for roll-out - phasing, positioning, channel model, partner sourcing, legal structure.

What it produces: an entry plan that matches your ambition, risk tolerance, and the pace at which you intend to grow.

Decision point: proceed to execution.

Entry planning

03

Entry execution

What it covers: legal structure setup, partner selection and contracting, in-market commercial launch.

What it produces: a functioning commercial operation in China.

Market entry

Four engagement models

You can engage us at one of four levels

01

02

Entry hub / advisory

Make it ready

Entry hub (1): is you testing, using our infrastructure for showcasing products and testing market opportunities.
Advisory (2): Entry hub plus placement and organisation - it is us preparing the ground while you lead.
Deliverable: market validation findings + go/no-go brief.
Commitment: short-term, project-based.

03

Incubation

Make it happen

Incubation: advisory plus market entry planning - it is us planning and building while you operate.
Deliverable: a functioning commercial setup in China.
Commitment: medium-term.

04

Venture build

Make it stick

Venture build: incubation plus operations & “first responder” in extraordinary events - it is us running it, carrying the project costs and acting as first responder.
Deliverable: a steered commercial operation, with Shaeps as venture partner.
Commitment: long-term partnership.

Compare models

Detailed comparison of engagement models

Swipe

Model

Entry hub

Make it essential

Advisory

Make it ready

Incubation

Make it happen

Venture build

Make it stick

Overview

Shaeps general role

Guidance

Entry hub plus placement and organisation (company, team, approvals). Post-launch, Shaeps acts as a "silent" partner

Advisory plus planning workstreams. Post-launch, Shaeps acts as a "silent" partner

Incubation plus operations control & “first responder”

Lead

Client

Shaeps

Best suited for

Companies prepared to test market opportunity

Companies prepared to invest fully in building long-term China presence

Companies with few resources (funds and skills) or with lower risk appetite

Companies with few resources (funds, skills) and with lowest risk profile

Client risk / reward balance

High

Medium

Low

Shaeps services

Guidance, knowledge transfer

Client

Shaeps

Placement: funding, partners

Client

Shaeps

Organisation: company formation, team recruitment, approvals

Client

Shaeps

Legal entity

Client forms no Chinese entity

Client forms Chinese entity at the beginning of the process

Phase 1: Shaeps LEEMIAN SPV acts as the front-end for operational launch
Phase 2: Joint formation of a Chinese entity with Shaeps and partners

Planning

Client

Shaeps

Operations

Client

Shaeps

First responder in extraordinary events

Client

Shaeps

Client's expenses

Company formation costs

< RMB 40,000

Pre-launch project costs

100% (to be agreed)

0% (to be agreed)

Post-launch project costs

100% (to be agreed)

0% (to be agreed)

Equity share to Shaeps ¹

-

Ask us

Client's rights

IP right

Client maintains all rights

Client maintains all rights. IP developed after launch in China is shared

Termination

Client may terminate the collaboration at any time, for any reason

Client may terminate the collaboration at any time, for any reason. Client agrees not to engage directly with partners introduced by Shaeps for 24 months thereafter

Client may terminate if objectives are not achieved. Client agrees not to pursue operations in China independently of Shaeps for 24 months thereafter

Notes

1) Or equivalent performance-based remuneration

Close comparison

How we run the engagement

Staged commitment

Capital and structure deploy in stages, triggered by validated outcomes. The next stage is committed to only when the previous stage's evidence supports it.

No cure, no pay

A no-go recommendation costs the client nothing in Shaeps fees. The advisory cost does not compound the entry risk.

Hands-on

Market-entry is very much hands-on and very little desk research. We test before we recommend.