From garage startups to scaling high-stakes platforms, Nico builds what holds and deletes what doesn’t.
My Story
I built my first company with two friends — no funding, no fallback.
We shipped real software for real clients and learned fast that delivery is everything.
Since over a decade, I lead architecture and operations at South Africa’s top software agency.
We built and scaled platforms for high-value clients — systems that couldn’t go down, didn’t get excuses, and had to work under pressure.
I designed architecture that didn’t break, across teams, time zones, and technologies.
Not to impress. To function.
I’ve hired, trained, and led global teams that still deliver today.
I joined Holedo as CTO when it mattered.
I understood what Ralf was building — from something broken to something that works.
I trusted how he holds space for both people and systems, and how he builds.
Backing Holedo wasn’t a bet. It was a decision based on years of working alongside someone who doesn’t quit, doesn’t drift, and doesn’t break.
When funding ran low, I didn’t step back. I stepped in.
My team at Lima Bean supports the build, without invoicing when needed, at cost when possible.
We backed it with people, time, and trust. We earned our equity the real way.
At home, I tinker with microchips. I break things on purpose so I can build them better.
At work, I keep platforms clean — no bloated stacks, no noise, no drama.
Holedo works like I do:
Simple on the surface. Built to last underneath.
I don’t pitch ideas. I build what runs.
I don’t ship features. I ship infrastructure that holds.
If it’s not stable, it doesn’t ship. If it ships, it works.
This is how I engineer.
This is how I lead.
This is how I keep the platform standing.