Evan Helda
Austin,TX
Summary
Business development and product strategy executive with 14+ years leading go-to-market, platform development, and ecosystem partnerships across spatial computing, cloud infrastructure, SaaS, and financial services. Proven track record launching and scaling nascent enterprise solutions within early markets. Passionate about shifting the human-computer interaction paradigm and building user-centric spatial experiences that bridge the digital and physical worlds.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal Specialist, Spatial Computing
Amazon Web Services
06.2020 - Current
- Created the vision, business case, GTM, and product strategy to secure $20M in funding for AWS's first spatial computing solution, targeting a $1.2B business opportunity (launching Q1 2026).
- Secured initial 5+ launch customers and key integrations partners for this solution
- Drove direct revenue from $0 to $50M ARR and partner co-sell revenue from $0 to $17M.
- Sourced, structured, and managed strategic partnerships with industry leading ISVs, driving joint solution development and market expansion (e.g. NVIDIA, Deloitte, Matterport, Siemens, Unity)
- Recruited and onboarded 50+ XR startups to AWS APN; 23 actively co-selling with AWS sales, 11 with launched AWS Marketplace solutions, and 12 built offerings for the AWS Solutions Library
- Helped design, validate, and launch VAMS (Visual Asset Management System): a full-stack, open-source solution for 3D content pipeline and 3D asset management. Secured lighthouse customers, 3rd party integration partners, and created scalable reference architectures.
- Developed comprehensive sales playbooks, enablement materials, and AWS messaging/positioning for spatial computing.
- Sourced, analyzed, and orchestrated M&A opportunities with AWS Corporate Development team
- Promoted from L6 (Sr. Specialist) to L7 (Principal Specialist) in January 2023.
Sr. Specialist (Business Development/Strategy), Spatial Computing
Amazon Web Services
06.2020 - 01.2023
- Drove direct revenue from $0 to $50M ARR and partner co-sell revenue from 0 to $17M.
- Structured and managed strategic partnerships with industry-leading ISVs, driving joint solution development and market expansion (including NVIDIA, Deloittte, Matterport, Siemens)
- Recruited and onboarded 50+ XR startups to AWS APN; 23 actively co-selling with AWS sales, 11 with launched AWS Marketplace solutions, and 12 building offerings for the AWS Solutions Library.
- Helped design and launch VAMS (Visual Asset Management System): a full-stack solution for 3D content pipelines and 3D asset management. Secured lighthouse customers, 3rd party integration partners, and created scalable reference architectures.
- Developed comprehensive sales playbooks, enablement materials, and AWS messaging/positioning for spatial computing vertical.
- Sourced and orchestrated M&A opportunities with AWS Corporate Development team.
- Promoted to L7 (Principal) in January 2023.
Sr. Business Development Manager, AWS Outposts
Amazon Web Services
12.2019 - 06.2020
- Developed and executed go-to-market strategy for AWS Outposts targeting telco MEC/NFV/i (5G infrastructure) and spatial computing workloads.
- Conducted AWS Outposts training and enablement sessions for North America, Canada, and LATAM sales teams.
- Authored strategic 6-page corporate narrative for spatial computing reviewed by AWS C-Suite, resulting in promotion to dedicated Spatial Computing role.
Business Development Lead - North America
Improbable
08.2018 - 12.2019
- Led business development and go-to-market strategy in North America for SpatialOS cloud developer platform serving gaming and military training markets.
- Secured first critical mass of customers for SpatialOS Unreal SDK and established key product-market fit metrics.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with product, engineering, and marketing teams to create scalable sales processes and playbooks for global expansion.
Director, Sales & Partnerships
Meta (AR Startup)
03.2016 - 08.2018
- Designed and executed global go-to-market strategy for leading AR headset/platform competing with Microsoft HoloLens and Magic Leap.
- Created strategic narrative that guided product development and helped secure $50+ million Series B funding.
- Negotiated and managed strategic partnerships with ISVs, VARs, and system integrators (Dell, Deloitte, Dassault Systemes, Schenker Tech).
- Scaled Meta 2 sales from 10-20 units per month to 200-300 units per month through strategic channel partnerships.
- Developed AR proofs-of-concept and pilots with global brands across multiple verticals (Nike, Stanley Black & Decker, Gensler, HOK).
- Built and managed ecosystem of AR developers, enabling transition from "vision sell" to "solution sell" approach.
- Recruited and led high-performing sales and business development team.
Digital Sales Manager
Extreme Reach
05.2014 - 03.2016
- Directed North America digital product sales strategy, leading company's expansion from traditional TV to digital video market.
- Served as digital video market expert, training sales teams on product capabilities and best practices.
- Negotiated long-term contracts at agency and holding group level, onboarding hundreds of new accounts to video ad serving platform.
- Drove annual digital video revenue from $3.6M to $24M
- Managed executive relationships with major holding groups, agencies, and brands (IPG, Publicis, Omnicom, Coca-Cola, GEICO).
Account Executive
BrandAds
01.2014 - 05.2014
- Led sales strategy development and execution for early-stage digital video ad serving and measurement startup.
- Closed long-term contractual relationships with holding groups and agencies.
- Contributed essential account development and revenue growth leading to successful company acquisition.
Internal Business Consultant
John Hancock Funds
06.2011 - 12.2013
- Part of selective team marketing mutual funds to financial advisors.
- Consistently exceeded quota annually and acquired Series 7 and Series 63 licenses.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Finance
Providence College
Providence, RI05.2011
Masters in Business Administration - undefined
Babson College
Wellesley, MA12.2020
Skills
- In-depth knowledge of AR/VR, 3D creation, cloud, and gaming technologies
- Expert in developing go-to-market strategies for high-tech products
- Skilled in customer and partner relations at the C-suite level
- Accomplished in corporate strategy, business development, and enterprise sales
- Excellent presentation and communication skills
- Strong negotiation and closing skills
- Experienced in recruiting top talent, team building, and management
- MBA in Entrepreneurship from Babson College
Accomplishments
- Founded, recruited, and scaled Amazon Web Services (AWS)'s first GTM and business development team for Spatial Computing to pursue a $6+ billion opportunity
- Secured $20M in funding to build AWS' first spatial computing solution
- Grew Meta' AR headset sales by 10x while establishing strategic partnerships with Dell, Deloitte, and Dassault Systems
- Helped raise $50M Series B at Meta by developing product strategy, business model, GTM narrative, and lighthouse customer traction
- Delivered first set of industry use cases that validated enterprise AR adoption across 100s of Meta enterprise customers including Nike, Black & Decker, Gensler, and Stanford Children's Hospital
- Scaled annual revenue at Extreme Reach from $3.6M to $24M
- Grew revenue at BrandAds from $250k to $2M as first and only sales rep, leading to acquisition by Extreme Reach
Interests
Founder and writer of Medium Energy a leading spatial computing newsletter and podcast
Division 1 Athlete | Providence College Men’s Lacrosse Team September 2007 – May 2011
Timeline
Principal Specialist, Spatial Computing
Amazon Web Services
06.2020 - Current
Sr. Specialist (Business Development/Strategy), Spatial Computing
Amazon Web Services
06.2020 - 01.2023
Sr. Business Development Manager, AWS Outposts
Amazon Web Services
12.2019 - 06.2020
Business Development Lead - North America
Improbable
08.2018 - 12.2019
Director, Sales & Partnerships
Meta (AR Startup)
03.2016 - 08.2018
Digital Sales Manager
Extreme Reach
05.2014 - 03.2016
Account Executive
BrandAds
01.2014 - 05.2014
Internal Business Consultant
John Hancock Funds
06.2011 - 12.2013
Masters in Business Administration - undefined
Babson College
Bachelor of Science - Finance
Providence College
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