What does it take to build a consulting firm that is global from day one?
In this episode, Joe O’Mahoney speaks with Matthieu Courtecuisse, Founder & CEO of Sia, about the long-term decisions behind building one of the world’s largest founder-led consulting firms.

Matthieu shares how Sia was built with international scale in mind from the very beginning, why founder commitment matters more than capital in global expansion, and how early investments in data, AI, and technology shaped the firm’s competitive advantage. He explains Sia’s augmented consulting model, where proprietary platforms and AI tools sit at the core of delivery—not as add-ons.

The conversation also covers Sia’s approach to growth through selective acquisitions, the balance between building and buying capabilities, and how culture-led integration supports scale. Joe and Matthieu close by discussing how AI is reshaping consulting economics, talent models, and why firms need to think in decades, not quarters, when building lasting value.

In this episode you will learn:

• Why Sia was built with global scale as a core ambition
• How founder commitment drives successful international expansion
• Why early investment in AI and data created long-term advantage
• What augmented consulting looks like in practice
• How Sia approaches M&A without diluting culture
• Why consulting firms must think long-term to build real value

This episode offers a long-term view on what it takes to build a global consulting platform—through sustained investment, founder leadership, and a clear belief in technology as a driver of scale and value.


Connect with Matthieu:

LinkedIn: Matthieu Courtecuisse

Website: SIA-Partners.com 

Resources:

SIA Case Study

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Prof. Joe O'Mahoney helps boutique consultancies scale and exit. Joe's research, writing, speaking and insights can be found at https://equitysherpa.com.