Building Bridges BetweenMarkets

Alistair Starling

Founding Partner

Cambridge, Berlin

Alistair Starling is a former UK Diplomat, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, FCO, where he assisted companies to trade and invest internationally for 10 years. He is multilingual, and levers his 20 year private sector / 10 year government sector, Business Development, Design and Innovation experience to achieve results within 1st, 2nd and 3rd sector organisations. Alistair's native language is English, he is also fluent in Italian and German, plus intermediate French. Alistair worked in the founding teams of other start-ups, in the recruitment sector (The Cambridge Hub), internet design sector (IconMedialab), and therefore understands the pace and focus of the commercial sector. Alistair led complex government sales development across Europe and Africa for a world famous brand - Cambridge. He has two Master degrees (one from the University of Cambridge), and an Undergraduate Degree in the creative industries. Alistair is a confident public speaker, has presented numerous times on TV, and fosters active communities of contacts across Europe.

Markus Christensen

Founding Partner

Tallinn

Markus Christensen is a multilingual strategist and business development partner with a strong track record in helping organisations expand into new markets and navigate complex international environments. With experience spanning the education, technology, and localisation sectors, Markus brings a unique blend of commercial insight, digital innovation, and cross-cultural fluency to European Diplomats’ work in government relations and export strategy. Over the past decade, Markus has supported both startups and established organisations in entering new geographies, improving operational efficiency, and localising their offerings for impact. He has led quality assurance and project management for major localisation projects, including work with some of the world’s largest technology firms, and has co-founded ventures focused on growth, financial operations, and systems strategy. His advisory work is informed by a deep understanding of machine learning systems, multilingual data annotation, and the digital tools needed to support scalable, tech-enabled engagement with international partners. Markus is passionate about the interface between government, innovation, and education—supporting public-private partnerships and building bridges for exporters seeking to work with ministries, multilaterals, or regional initiatives. He speaks six languages, holds a Bachelor's degree in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and is based in Tallinn, Estonia

Kai Takkis

Founding Partner

Brussels

Kai is a project manager with working experience both in public and private sector. With her qualification in English Philology, Teacher Training and Translation, she has years of experience in operating and managing her own translation company. Her former employment in the government sector in the field of education has left her with a passion for education, pedagogy, and languages. Combined with her detailed knowledge of private sector operations, she proves to be a valuable addition to the team.

Melisa Baykut

Founding Partner

Cambridge

Melisa is a political scientist specialising in EU affairs, diplomacy, and international relations. Since late 2024, she has supported policy research, strategic communication, and B2G engagement at European Diplomats, focusing on EdTech, AI governance, and education policy. Melisa combines her academic background in Political Science from the University of Minho with studies in Psychology, and English and American Literature and Linguistics in Germany. She brings practical experience from youth mobility organisations, international summits, and advisory roles, providing valuable insight into European institutional processes and public sector strategy. Fluent in Turkish, English, and German (advanced), and Portuguese (upper-intermediate), Melisa is also a lifelong writer with strong interests in journalism, political psychology, international relations, and cybersecurity. Her three years teaching English and German have significantly deepened her understanding of language acquisition and assessment, enriching her policy work. Known for bridging linguistic and political expertise, Melisa is a confident public speaker and delivers nuanced analysis with effective communication across multicultural settings.