About

    AI engineer turned automation consultant — based in Gothenburg

    I'm Max Västhav. I help small and mid-sized businesses replace manual handoffs, brittle spreadsheets, and disconnected tools with AI and automation that actually runs in production. Six-plus years in data engineering and BI consulting; now focused on shipping practical AI agents and workflows that deliver measurable ROI.

    Who am I?

    Background, how I work, and what I can do for you. Services and real-world solutions follow in the next sections.

    In short

    I'm Max — I help businesses stuck between manual spreadsheets, email handoffs, and tools that don't talk to each other. I replace that with automation and AI that actually runs in production, not slide-deck fiction.

    My foundation is six-plus years in data engineering and orchestration — pipelines, integrations, and systems that hold up when it matters.

    Beyond dedicated work with growing businesses, I've delivered in large, regulated environments — retail, banking, life science, and consumer platforms — with the same focus: measurable outcomes, clear ownership, and production-grade handover.

    User avatar

    Brands & teams I've worked with

    What I focus on for you

    Clarity before tools — mapping how work really flows and automating what makes an impact.

    Outcomes you can measure — fewer hours on routine, fewer errors, traceable runs and set KPIs based on your business.

    Ownership — documentation and handover so you're never locked to one vendor or one person.

    Journey

    Roles

    2019

    Data Manager

    Outfox (Dentsu Aegis)

    Built and maintained data pipelines, reporting, and campaign analytics

    2021

    Analytics Specialist Consultant

    Conversionista

    Delivered insights, experimentation, and data strategy for clients

    2023

    Sr. Analytics Specialist Consultant

    Conversionista

    Led complex analytics engagements and mentored junior consultants

    2024

    Sr. Business Intelligence Consultant

    Twoday

    Data modelling, BI strategy, and cross-functional project delivery

    Focus & craft

    2019

    Started in Data & Analytics

    Built pipelines, reporting, and a foundation in how data actually moves through companies

    2020

    Went Deep on AI & Automation

    Shipped ML and automation in real environments — not just notebooks

    2021

    Product & Integration Work

    Connected APIs, backends, and UIs so teams could rely on end-to-end flows

    2022

    Founded VasthavM

    Focused the practice on high-trust delivery for operators and founders

    2025

    AI & Automation Consultancy

    Dedicated to SMB workflow automation, orchestration, and production-grade AI integrations

    Operating principles

    How I work

    1. Work first

      Start with the work, not the tools

      Before any AI is mentioned, we map how a process actually flows — where the handoffs happen, what data is touched, who's accountable. That map decides what gets automated and what doesn't.

    2. Production

      Ship code, not slide decks

      The output isn't a Notion doc and a vendor demo — it's running pipelines, monitored agents, documented runbooks, and a handover that lets your team operate the system without me.

    3. Depth

      Fewer, deeper engagements

      One critical workflow done well beats five tooling experiments that nobody trusts. The goal is something your team can rely on for years — not a list of pilots that quietly stalled.

    Where I've delivered

    Six-plus years of data engineering and BI consulting across regulated environments — banking, life science, retail, and consumer platforms. Prior employers include Outfox Intelligence (Dentsu Aegis), Conversionista (Arc / Eidra), and Twoday — with delivery work for IKEA, Spotify, Husqvarna, Resurs Bank, and Stena Line.

    1. 2019Previous role

      Data Manager

      Outfox Intelligence (Dentsu Aegis)

      Built data pipelines, reporting layers, and campaign analytics for global media brands.

    2. 2021Previous role

      Analytics Specialist Consultant

      Conversionista (Arc)

      Insights, experimentation, and data strategy for retail, banking, and SaaS clients.

    3. 2022Active

      Founder

      VasthavM

      Founded VasthavM to help small and mid-sized businesses understand, utilize, and leverage AI and automation — practical workflows, not slide decks.

    4. 2023Previous role

      Sr. Analytics Specialist Consultant

      Conversionista (Arc / Eidra)

      Led complex analytics engagements and mentored junior consultants across cross-industry teams.

    5. 2024Previous role

      Sr. Business Intelligence Consultant

      Twoday

      Data modelling, BI strategy, and cross-functional project delivery in regulated, enterprise environments.

    6. 2026Incoming

      Sr. Data Engineer

      Natlink

      Joining as Senior Data Engineer in June 2026 — building data and AI infrastructure alongside the VasthavM practice.

    About · 2026 →

    VasthavM is not the whole story. From June 2026 I take on a parallel role as Senior Data Engineer at Natlink. VasthavM continues in parallel as a small-batch, high-trust practice — fewer engagements, deeper work, real outcomes.

    Ready to see what fits your business?

    An AI readiness conversation takes 30 minutes and ends with a clear, prioritized view of where automation pays back fastest in your operation.

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