About Us
OUR STORY AND VISION
Experts in the Automotive Industry
Two industry titans—seasoned experts with decades of experience leading global automotive brands, managing large-scale projects, and navigating complex markets across multiple countries—grew frustrated by persistent inefficiencies that even the most advanced traditional systems couldn’t resolve. These veterans, having steered large teams and executed transformative projects for some of the world’s most respected names in the industry, knew that the status quo was no longer enough.
Then they met a visionary, a relentless AI enthusiast whose passion for artificial intelligence matched his ambition to revolutionize how business is done. Driven by the belief that cutting-edge AI could serve as the ultimate tool to tackle the industry's most entrenched pain points, he proposed a radical idea: merge deep, on-the-ground automotive expertise with the adaptive power of AI.
This fusion of seasoned know-how and modern innovation gave birth to Nexia. At the heart of Nexia lies BDM Catalyst—a living, evolving intelligence layer that learns, adapts, and personalizes its insights with every interaction. BDM Catalyst isn’t just a tool; it’s a dynamic partner that transforms how business development managers prepare, engage, and follow up, turning everyday challenges into opportunities for breakthrough success.
Our story is one of convergence—where deep industry experience meets the transformative potential of AI to create a solution that not only solves problems but fundamentally redefines the automotive work experience. We are Nexia, and through BDM Catalyst, we are pioneering a new era of intelligent, adaptive, and human-centric innovation in the automotive industry.
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What is Nexia and what is its mission?Nexia is a visionary provider of AI-driven solutions for the automotive industry. Our flagship platform, BDM Catalyst, is a living, adaptive intelligence system designed to empower business development managers by transforming how dealerships prepare, engage, and follow up. Our mission is to fuse deep industry expertise with cutting-edge AI, driving efficiency and innovation while revolutionizing the automotive work experience.
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How does BDM Catalyst transform dealership operations?BDM Catalyst goes beyond traditional tools by continuously learning from every interaction. It automates pre-meeting briefings with personalized insights, supports real-time in-meeting engagement with voice-to-text and sentiment analysis, and generates actionable post-meeting summaries. This end-to-end solution helps BDMs anticipate challenges, overcome objections, and convert leads more effectively.
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What sets Nexia’s adaptive AI apart from conventional systems?Unlike static CRM tools, our adaptive AI evolves uniquely for each user by integrating deep neural-symbolic reasoning and reinforcement learning. This allows BDM Catalyst to deliver hyper-personalized, context-driven recommendations that adapt in real time, ensuring that every interaction is optimized based on your specific market, style, and historical performance.
Global Automotive Visionary
Raul Picello is a transformative leader in the automotive industry with over 30 years of international experience. Renowned for his ability to drive strategic innovation and operational excellence, Raul has spearheaded award-winning projects—from launching high-volume electric vehicles in Europe to orchestrating complex network restructurings across Asia Pacific.
His extensive career encompasses full P&L responsibility and a deep understanding of market dynamics, cultivated through leadership roles in diverse regions including Italy, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, India, and Hong Kong. Fluent in English, Italian, Spanish, and French, Raul leverages his global perspective to foster cross-cultural collaboration and to propel automotive brands into new frontiers of mobility, alternative solutions, and digital transformation.
A passionate mentor and strategic thinker, Raul is dedicated to guiding companies through the challenges of rapid technological change. His insights and expertise continue to shape the future of automotive innovation, ensuring that organizations not only meet today’s demands but also thrive in tomorrow’s dynamic marketplace.
Automotive Strategy & Operational Excellence Leader
Harel Shachar is a seasoned automotive executive with over 15 years of direct, hands-on experience transforming the automotive landscape across global markets. With a deep focus on automotive advisory and project management, Harel has successfully led initiatives that reengineered supply chains, optimized retail distribution, and drove comprehensive digital transformation for leading automotive brands.
Throughout his career, Harel has managed large-scale projects and complex operations—from designing and executing omni-channel strategies that enhance dealership performance to streamlining business processes in high-stakes environments. His expertise in automotive systems integration, process reengineering, and data-driven decision-making has consistently delivered measurable improvements in efficiency and customer satisfaction.
In his current role as Chief Operating Officer at Cell Cyber, Harel leverages his extensive automotive background to deliver cutting-edge, simulator-based training and advisory solutions. These initiatives are tailored to address the unique challenges of the automotive industry, ensuring that organizations not only keep pace with technological advancements but also achieve sustainable growth. Harel’s strategic insights and operational rigor have made him a trusted leader, one who bridges the gap between traditional automotive excellence and the future of digital innovation.
At Nexia, Harel is dedicated to reimagining how automotive companies operate—integrating advanced AI with deep industry expertise to transform everyday challenges into opportunities for breakthrough performance. His legacy is defined by a relentless drive to enhance operational efficiency, elevate brand performance, and pave the way for a smarter, more resilient automotive future.
Entrepreneur & Multi-Venture Tech Leader
Uzy is a dynamic technology entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in digital strategy, innovation, and leadership. As the owner of multiple ventures—including Epico Outdoor Advertising, Cell Cyber Security, Unleash Design, and Moonrai—Uzy has consistently pushed the boundaries of what technology can achieve across diverse sectors.
At Epico Outdoor Advertising, he has established a reputation for delivering high-impact, large-format campaigns in prime locations. With Cell Cyber Security, he drives cutting-edge cybersecurity training and solutions that safeguard digitally-enabled organizations. Through Unleash Design, Uzy has built a legacy of crafting professional, visually striking websites as a recognized Wix Expert Partner.
Now, as the owner and CTO of Moonrai, an AI startup focused on transforming automotive solutions, he leverages his technical expertise and entrepreneurial acumen to develop innovative, adaptive systems that address real-world industry challenges.
Uzy’s hands-on experience and visionary approach have enabled him to seamlessly integrate emerging technologies into his businesses, ensuring each venture not only meets current market demands but also paves the way for future innovation. His commitment to excellence and disruptive thinking continues to shape the digital landscape, making him a trusted leader in technology and a driving force behind Nexia’s mission to revolutionize automotive intelligence.