About Us
Technical Validation That Drives Smart Investment Decisions
Strategic Drive LLC provides independent technical due diligence and regulatory navigation for transportation technology investments and market entry. Founded by automotive industry veteran Steve Carlson, we specialize in evaluating the technical realities behind transportation technology deals and helping companies successfully navigate complex regulatory environments.
With three decades of hands-on automotive experience and proven regulatory relationships, Strategic Drive delivers the technical expertise that investment banks, private equity firms, and corporate development teams need to make confident decisions about transportation technology opportunities.
OUR MISSION
To provide independent and objective technical due diligence and regulatory navigation for transportation technology investments and market entry. We bridge the gap between technical innovation and business success.
OUR APPROACH
Strategic Drive combines deep automotive industry expertise with financial and regulatory knowledge to deliver insights that pure technical consultants or financial analysts can't provide alone. With 30 years of hands-on automotive experience, we evaluate technologies based on real-world implementation rather than theoretical analysis.
STEVE CARLSON | MBA - PRINCIPAL
Steve Carlson brings 30 years of automotive technology experience spanning engineering, business development, and executive leadership. As founder of Strategic Drive, he provides independent technical due diligence and regulatory guidance for transportation technology investments and market entry.
At Tula Technology, Steve led global business development, creating $110M+ revenue pipelines and negotiating partnerships with Fortune 500 companies. He successfully navigated complex regulatory environments, including EPA CRADA agreements and CARB compliance strategies. His technology implementations generate over 4 million tons of annual CO2 reduction.
Steve's innovation credentials include 70+ global patents in automotive systems and recognition through the Automotive News PACE Award and five Ward's 10 Best Engines awards. He holds an MBA from HULT International Business School and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering.
This unique combination of technical depth, business experience, and regulatory expertise enables Strategic Drive to provide the reality check that investors and companies need when evaluating transportation technologies.
WHY CHOOSE STRATEGIC DRIVE?
When evaluating transportation technology investments or entering regulated markets, you need more than financial analysis - you need someone who understands the technology itself. Strategic Drive provides the technical depth that investment banks and corporate development teams require but can't deliver internally.
Strategic Drive delivers independent technical validation that helps you make confident decisions about transportation technology opportunities.