Dear Fahad Dossary and Janne Virtapohja-
Thank you for granting me the opportunity to start our interaction today. As our original letter mentioned, Cambridge R&T has interest in collaborating in R&D projects with your company or with companies led by your contacts. This letter follows up on and complements our earlier video conference by addressing the following points:
- Innovation Hubs and why they are relevant for you;
- Cambridge R&T—Crativ1.com—operates from the city of Cambridge, MA, next to MIT and Harvard (youtu.be/4gOCcF4Uols), one of the three top Innovation Hubs in the USA[1];
- How Cambridge R&T can complement your R&D projects;
- A couple of examples of how we implement projects, always open to other options; and
- Links to more detailed information about the Cambridge R&T.
1 Innovation Hubs: A Strategic Imperative for Global Competitiveness
Innovation hubs (IH) such as Cambridge, MA; Silicon Valley, CA; and Austin, TX are not merely geographic clusters—they are dynamic ecosystems where academic excellence, corporate innovation, entrepreneurial agility, and venture capital converge to drive breakthrough advancements and robust economic growth. In these IHs, institutions like MIT catalyze the formation of companies whose market capitalizations rival those of entire nations, while proximity to R&D centers from industry leaders like Pfizer, Google, SLB, Amazon, and Dell accelerates technological progress.
This success is underpinned by a well-integrated external ecosystem—spanning incubators, consortiums, and venture capital—and an international talent pool that fuels continuous innovation. At Cambridge R&T, besides our core team, our strategic presence within the Cambridge IH enables us to complement your R&D efforts by leveraging access to world-class talent and cutting-edge research. With our approach, you gain the advantages of this vibrant ecosystem without needing to be physically present in Cambridge, MA, ensuring you remain at the forefront of industry innovation. Besides, we also have access to the other two top IHs in the USA, two in Japan, three in Europe, and one in Hong Kong.
2 Cambridge R&T: our Modus Operandi
Cambridge R&T is a leading provider of R&D specialized consulting engineering and R&D and actionable innovation, across various engineering and scientific fields. With a world-class R&D team, the company complements clients’ existing research and engineering teams at any stage of product development. The firm enhances client efforts at all Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), quickly identifying and integrating Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) technologies. This approach allows clients to address R&D challenges efficiently, delivering results in weeks rather than months or years. Additionally, Cambridge R&T uniquely offers clients the intellectual property generated from the projects they run, emphasizing their commitment to providing practical, deployable solutions. Their coined term “actionable innovation” reflects a focus on solutions that can be efficiently implemented in clients’ products and services.
3 Project Implementation Examples – Open to Alternative Approaches
At Cambridge R&T, our project execution methodology is designed to seamlessly integrate with our clients’ teams, ensuring that our expertise complements their internal capabilities. In most engagements, the process begins with an in-depth discussion to understand the client’s perception of the problem or challenge for which they seek our support. It is important to emphasize that our role is not to replace but to enhance our client’s existing team.
Once the scope is reasonably defined, Cambridge R&T presents a detailed proposal outlining the approach, objectives, and deliverables. Typically, our projects are executed on a fixed-price, fixed-time basis, with clearly defined deliverables. These projects are structured in phases ranging from 8 to 16 weeks, ensuring agility and focused execution. The client designates at least one key contact person, through whom Cambridge R&T maintains communication and project coordination. Our proposals also specify the tasks Cambridge R&T will undertake throughout the project. Unlike traditional consulting models that charge based on hours worked, Cambridge R&T’s compensation is strictly tied to the successful delivery of agreed-upon milestones.
For certain engagements, particularly those of a more exploratory nature, Cambridge R&T has also worked under a retainer-based model. This approach is more common when project objectives are evolving or require an adaptive research methodology[2].
4 Ship industry
This section provides a summary of the preliminary reading conducted by Cambridge R&T on recent initiatives undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to develop its domestic shipbuilding industry. The brief encompasses both commercial and defense-related vessel projects, with each section including links to publicly available sources upon which this analysis is based.
Cambridge R&T conducted this review to gain a foundational understanding of these efforts and to assess potential areas where its expertise could provide meaningful support. Based on this, Cambridge R&T identifies several technical domains in which its experience could be highly relevant to future projects. Additionally, Cambridge R&T remains open to exploring existing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components or technologies that may be beneficial to Saudi Aramco’s initiatives in this sector.
Furthermore, Julio Guerrero previously worked with a company in the Boston area that had been acquired a few months earlier by Kongsberg, a leader in maritime and defense technology. In this case Kongsberg aimed at having opportunities to access cutting-edge innovations in subsea technology, particularly in the field of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs). This represents another area in which Cambridge R&T could contribute to advancing Saudi Arabia’s shipbuilding and maritime capabilities,
5 Relevant links
5.1 Technical disciplines and industries
This section provides details on the technical disciplines and industries that Cambridge R&T supports: To enhance security, the website (http://crativ1.com/examples/) is password-protected: CambridgeRT
5.2 IHs
In connection with Innovation Hubs (IH), this is a relevant article about Innovation-Hubs and this may be a relevant video about my Keynote at the Saudi Aramco Nasa conference https://youtu.be/S4Ghsh2pQHA
5.3 Professional background
Besides my LinkedIn page, I am also sharing here the link to my resume (crativ1.com/julio-c-guerrero-resume/ ) for which you have to use Guerrero as the password to access it.
6 QR Codes
If for any reason, you could not access the aforementioned links by clicking them, here you have them in QR code format, so you can point at them with your cellular phone and open the links:
 Cambridge R&T examples. Password is: CambridgeRT |  Crativ1.com |  Introductory brief video about Cambridge R&T |
 Innovation Hub Article |  Keynote about IHs |  Julio Guerrero’s resume. Password is: Guerrero |
Kind regards,
Julio C. Guerrero Ph.D.
Founder and CEO Cambridge Research and Technology L.L.C.
www.linkedin.com/in/julioguerrero
jguerrero@crativ1.com
crativ1.com
7 Appendix Naval Industry
This section provides a summary of the introductory research conducted by Cambridge R&T on recent initiatives by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to develop its own shipbuilding industry. The brief covers both commercial and defense-related vessels, with each section including links to publicly available sources on which the information is based. Briefly, Saudi Arabia is rapidly advancing its commercial shipbuilding sector as part of Vision 2030, with major initiatives such as the King Salman Global Maritime Industries Complex and International Maritime Industries (IMI), which focus on shipbuilding, repair, and offshore vessel production. The country is also forming strategic partnerships with international firms like Fincantieri and expanding its fleet, with Bahri acquiring nine Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) to strengthen its maritime industry. In the defense sector, Sofon Industries was established in 2024 to consolidate and expand the kingdom’s naval capabilities, integrating local shipyards and collaborating with global partners to enhance technological expertise and production. Details follow.
7.1 Ships for commercial activities
Saudi Arabia is making significant strides in developing its commercial shipbuilding industry, aligning with its Vision 2030 objectives to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.
King Salman Global Maritime Industries Complex: Located in Ras Al-Khair, this expansive facility covers approximately 4.96 square kilometers and is poised to become one of the largest shipyards globally. The complex focuses on shipbuilding, ship repair, oil rig construction, and support services. Its development is expected to generate over 80,000 jobs and contribute approximately $17 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP. Source Link
International Maritime Industries (IMI): As a key tenant of the King Salman Complex, IMI is a joint venture involving Saudi Aramco, Bahri, Lamprell, and Hyundai Heavy Industries. IMI specializes in the construction of commercial vessels, including Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), offshore support vessels, and offshore oil and gas rigs. The facility aims to produce over 40 vessels annually upon reaching full operational capacity. Source Link
Strategic Partnerships: Saudi Arabia has established collaborations with international shipbuilding firms to enhance its domestic capabilities. Notably, Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has committed to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by transferring technological expertise and focusing on the development of sustainable, green shipbuilding practices. Source Link
Fleet Expansion Initiatives: The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri) has undertaken significant efforts to modernize and expand its fleet. In August 2024, Bahri signed an agreement to acquire nine VLCCs for approximately $999 million, aiming to enhance its oil transportation capabilities and maintain its position as a global leader in the maritime industry. Source Link
Through these comprehensive initiatives, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a prominent hub in the global commercial shipbuilding and maritime services industry.
7.2 Ships for defense activities
Saudi Aramco is actively enhancing Saudi Arabia’s shipbuilding industry through strategic initiatives, notably the establishment of Sofon Industries. Launched in early 2024, Sofon Industries serves as the national champion for the kingdom’s naval and marine sectors, focusing on both military and commercial shipbuilding. This move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives to localize defense manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign imports. Source link
Sofon Industries is tasked with developing a sovereign maritime industry, which includes constructing a military naval shipyard and managing naval projects. The company is expected to absorb sections of existing shipyards, such as Zamil Shipyards and Middle East Maritime Repair, consolidating the kingdom’s shipbuilding capabilities under one entity. Source link
In collaboration with international partners, Sofon aims to enhance its technological expertise and production capacity. For instance, discussions with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri have been reported, focusing on potential cooperation to bolster Saudi Arabia’s naval fleet. Source Link
Through Sofon Industries, Saudi Aramco is positioning the kingdom as a regional maritime hub, fostering economic diversification and strengthening national defense capabilities.
[1] Janne, from your LinkedIn, it seems you studied at Harvard, so you likely know Kendall Square, where we operate. I live about 12 blocks from Harvard Square.
[2] One example involved assisting a client in analyzing the coatings used in the manufacturing of biomedical catheters. Our task was to develop a methodology to assess the coatings’ durability under operational conditions. This required an initial investigation into the coatings themselves, followed by an evaluation of existing testing methods to determine their relevance to the client’s specific needs. The project has already provided tangible benefits, allowing the client to optimize existing equipment with minimal investment, reducing costs, and maximizing efficiency.