In the ever-evolving world of transportation and mobility, few leaders stand out as clearly as Valentino Stabile, the dynamic entrepreneur and Founder of GTM – Gulf Transportation & Mobility. With a cross-continental background that spans the most advanced transportation technologies of Europe and the ambitious infrastructure developments of the Middle East, Valentino brings a rare combination of strategic foresight, operational depth and cultural fluency. His career, deeply rooted in both public and private sector mobility projects, inspired him to launch GTM, an organization designed to act as the bridge between world-class European transportation innovators and the rapidly expanding mobility landscape of the Gulf region.

GTM, short for Gulf Transportation & Mobility, is not just a startup – it’s a movement to modernize, localize and elevate the region’s transportation systems by providing end-to-end project delivery and commercial agency services. Positioned at the convergence of global innovation and local execution, GTM is rewriting the playbook for how mobility solutions are brought to life across the GCC.

TFS: Valentino, it’s a pleasure to speak with you today. Let’s start with your story. What inspired the founding of GTM and how did you identify the need to bridge European transportation tech with Middle Eastern infrastructure?

Valentino Stabile: Thank you, it’s a pleasure to be here. The story behind GTM started with my own journey. Over the years, I had the privilege of working on transportation projects in both Europe and the Gulf. I noticed a clear gap between Europe’s innovative mobility technologies and the Middle East’s infrastructure expansion. The Gulf was making bold investments in aviation, rail and urban mobility. Yet, many European firms struggled to enter and navigate these markets effectively.

That’s when the vision of GTM took shape. I realized there was a need for a startup that could act as both a connector and a catalyst. GTM was born to serve as a strategic conduit, offering not just market intelligence, but operational support, cultural fluency and a local presence to ensure long-term success. We don’t just bring the tech, we help it land and thrive.

TFS: GTM positions itself at the intersection of innovation and local execution. How do you personally define this intersection and what does it mean in practice?

Valentino Stabile: For me, this intersection is where real impact happens. You can have the most groundbreaking technology, but if it doesn’t adapt to the local context, it won’t deliver value. That’s the reality in markets like the Gulf. Innovation must be translated, not just imported.

At GTM, we focus on practical localization. That means understanding regulatory nuances, aligning with local procurement processes and ensuring cultural compatibility. For example, when introducing a European AI-powered mobility system to a GCC city, we don’t just showcase features. We align them with national vision plans, customize for Arabic language support and train local teams. It’s this holistic approach that defines how we operate – vision meets viability.

TFS: You serve both global technology innovators and local infrastructure stakeholders. How do you balance these dual priorities without compromising value for either side?

Valentino Stabile: We see ourselves as a strategic bridge, not a middleman. For European innovators, we become their eyes and ears in the region – guiding product adaptation, partnership development and compliance navigation. For Gulf clients, we bring curated, tested technologies aligned with their long-term goals.

We achieve balance through transparency, co-creation and shared success metrics. Both sides know we’re in it for the long haul. We invest time in setting expectations early, aligning KPIs and keeping communication clear and proactive. By serving both sides with equal integrity, we build a foundation of mutual trust and sustained value.

TFS: In an increasingly competitive consulting landscape, what differentiates GTM’s approach to market entry and project delivery in the GCC?

Valentino Stabile: GTM is not a typical consultancy, we are execution-first. While many firms stop at advising, we continue to implementation. Our role spans market entry strategy, commercial agency representation, project delivery and even after-sales support.

This hands-on model allows us to be embedded in our clients’ journeys. We handle vendor prequalification, stakeholder engagement and contract negotiations. Our teams often serve as the first point of contact for project queries – acting as a local helpdesk. This end-to-end ownership creates real accountability and measurable outcomes. It’s this proximity to both the problem and the solution that sets us apart.

TFS: How do you determine which European vendors are best suited for the complex mobility and transportation needs of the Gulf region?

Valentino Stabile: We evaluate vendors through a multilayered lens. First, we look at innovation maturity—has the solution been tested in real-world environments? Second, adaptability—can it comply with local standards and integrate with regional infrastructure? Finally, we examine the vendor’s commitment to partnership and presence in the Gulf.

Beyond selection, GTM plays a pivotal role in enabling success. We assist with project governance, provide localized client interfaces and establish helpdesks to handle regional issues swiftly. This ensures that the project remains robust even post-deployment. Our goal is not just to find the right vendor, but to make sure they perform effectively, long-term.

TFS: Could you share an example of a project where GTM’s local presence and commercial agency model directly impacted the outcome?

Valentino Stabile: Certainly. One standout example was a recent airport infrastructure upgrade in the GCC. Multiple European vendors were vying for a highly competitive tender. GTM stepped in early, we helped tailor their proposals to local compliance requirements and facilitated their prequalification process.

What made the difference was our ability to localize the commercial offer and ensure ongoing support post-award. After contract signing, we provided the helpdesk setup, coordinated client communications and ensured deliverables aligned with local expectations. Without our intervention, several of these vendors might not have made it past the technical stage. This project is a testament to how boots-on-the-ground presence can be a game changer.

TFS: What are some of the common misconceptions foreign companies have about doing business in the Middle East transportation sector?

Valentino Stabile: One big misconception is that relationships alone are enough to close deals. While relationships are vital, they must be backed by substance – regulatory understanding, localization and consistency. Another is underestimating project timelines. Many assume quick wins, but in reality, these are long-cycle projects requiring strategic patience.

Also, foreign vendors often overlook the importance of localized standards and partnerships. Things like documentation formats, procurement procedures and cultural expectations vary significantly. GTM helps vendors avoid these pitfalls by preparing them thoroughly and guiding them every step of the way.

TFS: How does GTM support project governance and PMO setup in culturally and administratively diverse environments like the GCC?

Valentino Stabile: We believe effective governance begins with alignment, both with international standards and local norms. We customize project frameworks that reflect regional decision hierarchies and communication styles. This includes bilingual documentation, tailored reporting structures and stakeholder engagement planning.

Additionally, GTM helps vendors establish lean PMOs – program management offices that work within the context of Gulf administrative culture. By blending global best practices with regional specificity, we ensure better project transparency, fewer delays and smoother cross-cultural collaboration.

TFS: What trends in urban mobility or aviation technology are most exciting to you and how is GTM preparing clients for these shifts?

Valentino Stabile: The mobility and aviation sectors are evolving at a rapid pace. Some exciting trends include smart mobility platforms, green aviation and AI-powered passenger experience systems. These innovations are not just futuristic, they’re becoming essential to remain competitive and sustainable.

At GTM, we stay plugged into European innovation ecosystems and continuously scan for technologies with high regional relevance. We then work with vendors to adapt their go-to-market strategies for the Gulf. Our goal is not just to inform, but to actively prepare our clients to lead these transformations – strategically and operationally.

TFS: With sustainability becoming a key driver in transportation, how does GTM incorporate ESG principles in project scouting and technology recommendations?

Valentino Stabile: Sustainability is central to everything we do. We assess technologies not just for performance but also for ESG impact – from emissions reduction and energy efficiency to inclusivity in mobility. Our project vetting now includes green KPIs and social impact factors.

We actively promote solutions that align with net-zero goals, support circular economy principles and integrate renewable resources. For us, ESG isn’t just a checkbox, it’s a compass that shapes our recommendations and long-term vision.

TFS: As a leader, how do you stay attuned to both global innovation and regional policy or procurement dynamics?

Valentino Stabile: It’s all about maintaining a dual lens. I spend time in both innovation circles such as trade shows, research consortiums and vendor meetings, and regional hubs where policy, procurement and regulation evolve.

This split exposure allows me to keep GTM both future-ready and locally grounded. Whether it’s attending a policy roundtable in Riyadh or a smart mobility summit in Berlin, I make it a priority to stay on both sides of the dialogue.

TFS: How do you build trust with local authorities and decision-makers while representing foreign vendors?

Valentino Stabile: Trust stems from consistency, listening and co-creation. We never position ourselves as pushy salespeople. Instead, we engage local authorities early, understand their pain points and align vendor solutions with their vision.

By consistently showing up, delivering value and speaking the local language—both literally and culturally—we become a trusted advisor, not just an intermediary. This trust is the foundation for long-term partnerships.

TFS: What have been some of the biggest challenges in scaling GTM across multiple countries in the GCC and how did you address them?

Valentino Stabile: Each GCC country has its own regulatory frameworks, commercial codes and cultural norms. Scaling meant finding a way to be standardized and flexible at once. We built a modular structure where strategy and branding were centralized, but execution remained locally empowered.

Working with in-country experts helped us adapt swiftly. We also invested in building internal systems that allowed scalable delivery while honoring country-specific needs. It was complex, but it built resilience.

TFS: How does GTM assess risk in projects involving new technologies, especially when timelines and infrastructure demands are ambitious?

Valentino Stabile: We use a four-tiered risk framework—technical, regulatory, commercial and delivery. For each project, we conduct early scenario planning and bottleneck assessments. If we sense volatility, we advise pilot phases or phased rollouts.

This proactive approach allows us to manage expectations and adjust dynamically. When the stakes are high, as they often are, we focus on early mitigation and transparent reporting to maintain momentum.

TFS: Where do you see GTM five years from now and what role do you envision it playing in shaping the future of mobility across the Middle East?

Valentino Stabile: In five years, I envision GTM as a regional anchor for mobility innovation. We aim to expand into North Africa, deepen our strategic advisory roles and evolve into a platform for public-private mobility collaboration.

More than a market enabler, GTM will become a trusted innovation partner that shortens the distance – figuratively and literally, between technology and transformation. We want to help shape the future of how people move, connect and thrive in the Middle East.

TFS: Valentino, this has been an incredibly insightful conversation. Thank you for sharing your journey, your startup story and the bold vision behind GTM. Any final words?

Valentino Stabile: Thank you. It’s been a pleasure. At GTM, we believe that the future of mobility lies not in isolated innovation but in collaborative transformation. I’m excited about the journey ahead, not just for us, but for the entire ecosystem we’re building together.