Early Life
Martin Møller Nielsen was born in August 1964. He grew up in Grønbjerg, Denmark. Nielsen was a certified pilot by the age of 18. He reportedly bought a beaten up aircraft at 21, renovated it, and sold it for a large profit.
Rise to Success
Nielsen founded Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) in Skive, Denmark, in 1990. NAC became the world's largest independently owned aircraft leasing company. In 2015, Nielsen sold a 67% stake in NAC to EQT and Kirkbi, valuing the firm at $3.3 billion. He later brought on Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC as an investor and, in 2022, sold the last of his shares in NAC. NAC initially leased aircraft for humanitarian aid organizations looking to fly into remote areas. By 2016, NAC operated a fleet of 275 aircraft, leased to 30 regional airlines, including Air Berlin and Etihad.
Key Business Strategies
Nielsen's key strategy was to establish NAC as a leader in the regional aircraft leasing market. His decision to sell a significant stake in NAC at a high valuation demonstrates his strategic business acumen. He now runs Axiom Group, his private family office that invests in areas such as renewable energy and real estate.
Philanthropy
Information on Nielsen's specific philanthropic initiatives and amounts is currently unavailable through the search results.