Founder & adVenture Builder

Eben Jacob Johansen

Started Johansen Holdings Limited, to build and operate businesses in the UAE, associated with Accounting and Compliance Technology, as well as other use-cases at the intersection of professional and personal interests. Current projects include Amara, Advontier, and Kameroom.
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Eben Johansen
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Details

Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Nationality
South African
Current Focus

Current - Projects and Partnerships

Projects under Johansen Holdings Limited

UAE – Active / In Development
  • Amara — Commercial concierge and market-entry coordination platform for entrepreneurs and SMEs in the UAE; guides setup, operations, and regulatory coordination; operated by Johansen Holdings Limited (Masdar Free Zone, Abu Dhabi; License MC 14076).
  • Advontier — Digital transformation and managed services practice covering workflow automation, systems integration, and finance/sales operations automation; division of Johansen Holdings Limited.
  • Kameroom — Property management SaaS for short-term rental operators; coordination of units, owners, bookings, maintenance, cleaning, check-ins, and guest communications (product under development).
Past Projects

Former - Projects and Partnerships

Career Highlights

Key Achievements

2014
2014
Achieved a successful restructuring of Albatros South Africa's regional operations.
2015
2015
Expanded Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with key enterprise clients, overseeing +500 hardware interfaces for over +150,000 users across Southern Africa.
2016
2016
Earned a promotion to the position of Group Financial Controller.
2017–2021
2017–2021
Accomplished the successful execution of a 5-year business plan, which involved revamping crucial products, growing technical teams, and localizing regional distribution strategies.
2020
2020
Negotiated a profitable sale of Digital Golf Solutions and boosted distribution revenue through exclusive licensing agreements in the French, Belgian, and Swiss markets.
2021–2022
2021–2022
Collaborated with Marc Fournier of Serena Venture Capital to represent Albatros in numerous negotiations with external investors. Successfully completed all due diligence requirements, resulting in multiple offers.
2022
2022
Led the 100% buyout of the Albatros group by NBC Sports Next, a sports technology division of Comcast/NBCUniversal. Promoted to Director of 3 of the NBC Sports Next subsidiaries.
2024
2024
Published practical essays on UAE market entry and compliance, and on digital transformation execution, based on operating ventures in the UAE.
2025–Present
2025–Present
Operate Johansen Holdings Limited as a venture-building platform in Abu Dhabi; building and operating Amara, Advontier, and Kameroom.
Skills & Languages

Core Competencies

Skills
  • • Financial Accounting
  • • Financial Reporting
  • • Budgeting & Forecasting
  • • Business Strategy
  • • Business Development
  • • Contract Negotiations
  • • +10 years SaaS experience
Languages
  • • Afrikaans - Native
  • • English - Native
  • • German - Level A2
Experience
Over 15 years of experience in financial management, audit, and business operations across international markets.
Industries
SaaS, Software Development, Media Production, Professional Services, and International Business Operations.
Employment History

Professional Experience

Founder / Venture Builder, Johansen Holdings Limited

Abu Dhabi (Masdar City) | November 2025 – Present
Incubating ventures and supporting them with initial setup and operating workflows until they are ready to be spun out as independent entities. Shared resources include finance, compliance, technology, and operational support.
  • Built and operated UAE based ventures including:
    • Amara (commercial concierge for market entry)
    • Advontier (digital transformation and accounting software support)
    • Kameroom (proptech SaaS for short-term rental operators)
  • Focus: ventures at the intersection of SaaS technology, professional service delivery, and my personal interests.

Digital Transformation Specialist, Kounted Accounting & Management Solutions

September 2023 – November 2025
  • Led digital transformation initiatives within a regulated accounting and business services environment.
  • Supported system modernization and process improvement across finance and operational workflows.

FinOps Specialist, NBC Sports Next

Karlsruhe | March 2023 – August 2023
  • Prepared monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
  • Provided guidance and training to staff on accounting procedures and best practices
  • Developed and maintained an accurate and up-to-date accounting system that tracked against budgeted forecasts

Director of Finance, Albatros Software

Karlsruhe | April 2013 – March 2023
Albatros Software is a SaaS software developer specializing in the golf industry. As part of the senior stakeholders I drove business strategy, financial reporting, budgeting and cash flow management.
  • Lead accountants in Germany, France, and South Africa to deliver timely reports and reach critical KPIs
  • Liaised with auditors and tax consultants in Germany, France and South Africa to consistently produce clean audits and ad hoc reviews.
  • Lead key contract negotiations with customers and suppliers.
  • Scaled operations for new Enterprise-, B2B- and B2C solutions.
  • Grew revenue through improved distribution and licensing terms.

Co-Founder, DigMe Solutions (Pty) Ltd

Cape Town | June 2018 – January 2020
Co-founded DigMe Solutions alongside Grant Joliffe, a virtual accounting and business administration service provider.
Specific services included:
  • Creation of corporate entities
  • Business- and tax registrations
  • Digital accounting and bookkeeping services
  • Monthly payroll solutions
  • Basic website design
  • Online payment integration
  • Micro-financing solutions

Financial Accountant, Platypus Productions (Pty) Ltd

Cape Town, South Africa | April 2011 – March 2013
Platypus Productions is an international television and media production company
  • Maintain and report complete, accurate, up-to-date accounting and tax records
  • Gained experience working with large international brands, including Vodafone, Sports-Illustrated, Isuzu, Anheuser-Busch InBev and others

Audit Senior, PKF Chartered Accountants and Auditors

Cape Town, South Africa | July 2007 – March 2011
  • Successfully supervised and completed audits within budget and on time, for publicly traded- and large private corporations.
  • Gained valuable exposure to a variety of industries, including; International Commercial and Residential Property Developers, Investment Funds, Investment Fund Administrators, Mining, Health-Care, Government Agencies, Software Development, Telecommunications and Broadcasting corporations
  • Presented audit findings to clients and made meaningful recommendations and improvements to accounting processes and financial controls
  • Prepared Annual and Interim Financial Statements in accordance with IFRS and South African Tax regulations
  • Assess the professional development of junior auditors enrolled in the SAICA training programme

Audit Clerk, Alliott Andersen Nell Incorporated

Cape Town, South Africa | February 2006 – June 2007
Enrolled in the SAICA training programme through then, Alliott Andersen Nell Incorporated, today operating as PKF Constantia­berg.
  • Performed financial audits and agreed-upon procedures for small private entities, family trusts and body corporates
  • Gained exposure to companies in the Property Development, Law Firms, Food & Beverage, and small manufacturing industries
Education

Academic Background

Foundations: Data Analytics, Google Certification

Abu Dhabi | July 2023 – August 2023

Diploma in Management Accounting, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

United Kingdom | September 2020 – August 2021
Finance in a Digital Environment, Financial Reporting, Management Accounting

Certificate in Accounting and Business Management, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

United Kingdom | February 2014 – March 2015
Ethics, Corporate Governance, Business Law, Financial Accounting, Management Accounting and Business Economics

Incomplete - Bachelor of Commerce (BCompt), University of South Africa (UNISA)

Cape Town, South Africa | February 2006 – August 2019
29 of 29 Modules Completed | Finalized all modules in 2012. Was not awarded degree due to the expiration of historical credits gained through the University of Stellenbosch. Completed all expired modules between 2017 and 2019. Was not awarded degree due to course curriculum changes in 2019

Incomplete - Bachelor of Commerce and Law, University of Stellenbosch (USB)

Stellenbosch, South Africa | February 2002 – December 2005
14 of 19 Subjects Completed | Law degree specializing in South African Mercantile-, Private- and Public Law, including Insurance Regulations, Accounting, Economics, Statistics and Business Management.

Grade 12 (GCSE - International), Walvis Bay High School

Walvis Bay, Namibia | January 1997 – December 2001
B+ overall grade avg. 3 distinctions in Economics, Business Studies, and Accounting
References

Professional References

Volker Schorp | VP Product & Technology from NBC Sports Next

schorp@albatros.net | https://www.albatros.net

Marc Fournier | Managing Partner from Serena Venture Capital

mfournier@serena.vc | https://www.serena.vc

Grant Joliffe | Co-Founder from DigMe Solutions

grant@digme.co.za | https://www.digme.co.za

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I'm always open to discussing new opportunities, collaborations, or answering questions about my experience and background.

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