Arnaud Dumas de Rauly, MS, MBA

At MayThe5th, I lead two core service lines powered by 20 years of entrepreneurial experience: operator-led Business Acceleration and Public Standards Advisory. On the business side, I run 90-Day Clarity Sprints to identify the highest-leverage opportunities, embed as Fractional COO to bring executive discipline to daily operations, and optimize supply chains. On the policy side, I advise governments and regulatory bodies on strategy, translating complex science into enforceable standards, co-develop sustainability and safety frameworks, and serve as an expert witness. I make technical and engineering concepts accessible to decision-makers. Across both, I integrate AI-powered operations to help organizations execute with speed and precision. MayThe5th is an operator-led consulting firm built for founders, executives, and public authorities who need more than strategy, they need execution. Rooted in the belief that clarity drives growth, the firm works at the intersection of business acceleration and public standards advisory, helping organizations cut through operational noise, build durable systems, and scale with discipline. With presence in New York, Toronto, and Hong Kong, MayThe5th serves growing companies and regulatory bodies alike, delivering measurable results through a proven Diagnose-Design-Deliver framework.

As Managing partner, my work focuses heavily on structuring the core business strategy framework, driving operational excellence, and ensuring high-level compliance. This includes specifically defining strategy, risk allocation, liability, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance. Operationally, it means designing and implementing a universal SKU system to ensure product traceability, developing marketing assets and business development. Furthermore, I have a hands-on role in strategic quality control, as seen in a project to increase product profitability by redesigning manufacturing processes and aligning quality checks. Smooth Supply is a boutique supply chain partner that acts as an outsourced operations team for growing brands, handling engineering, quality control, manufacturing support, and global logistics so founders can focus on sales and product. We build resilient, end-to-end supply chains that give SMBs enterprise-level tools, expertise, and pricing advantages typically reserved for multinationals—without the overhead. From first product launch to managing complex, multi-SKU networks, Smooth Supply helps companies scale profitably by simplifying global sourcing and ensuring reliable, on-spec production and delivery.

Managing Partner at OpsNinja following acquisition. Leading and transforming the integration and scaling of end-to-end supply chain quality control for global clients. My focus is turning regulatory standards and testing requirements into practical SOPs, digital workflows, and vendor programs that reduce risk and accelerate growth. OpsNinja is a quality control and inspections platform for professional B2B, CPG and e-commerce brands, built to help you boost reviews and cut return rates by catching product issues early. It connects to your sales channels to sync catalog, sales, reviews, and returns, so you can easily book inspections, audits, and lab tests through a global network without back-and-forth emails. With real-time visibility into SKU-level performance and monthly quality summaries delivered to your inbox or phone, OpsNinja makes it simple to monitor product defects, centralize spec sheets and packaging assets, and consistently ship products that meet customer expectations at scale.

After co-founding The Blinc Group in 2017 and leading it to become a globally recognized leader in cannabis vaping hardware and supply chain innovation, I transitioned from the CEO role in December 2023. At that time, the company was thriving, with $16mm in revenue and $2mm in EBITDA. Upon identifying an acquirer for the company, in December 2024, I returned as CEO at the board's request after discovering significant issues that had occurred during my absence during due diligence. Despite concerted efforts to rectify the situation, the challenges proved insurmountable.

Following my transition from CEO in December 2023, I continued to serve The Blinc Group as a Strategic Advisor and Board Member. In this capacity, I focused on representing the company in key international regulatory and industry forums, including: ✅ ISO TC126/SC3: Chairman, contributing to the development of global standards for vapor products. ✅ CEN TC437: Chairman, overseeing European standardization efforts for electronic cigarettes and e-liquids. ✅ VapeSafer: Chairman, advocating for safer vaping practices and technologies. In addition to these roles, I spearheaded the identification and engagement of potential acquirers for The Blinc Group. By October 2024, these efforts culminated in securing multiple Letters of Intent (LOIs), positioning the company for potential acquisition and future growth. This period underscored my commitment to advancing industry standards and ensuring the strategic positioning of The Blinc Group within the evolving cannabis and vaping sectors.

As the Co-Founder and CEO of The Blinc Group, I led the company from inception to becoming a globally recognized leader in cannabis vaping hardware and supply chain innovation. Under my leadership, Blinc achieved a remarkable rise culminating in $16mm in revenue and $2mm in EBITDA for 2023, reflecting our ability to scale and flourish in a competitive market Key Achievements: ✅ Strategic Growth: Secured a $1.5 million Pre-Series A Bridge Round, fueling expansion and product development. ✅ Product Innovation: Invented and introduced the patented Ring-System, enhancing product labeling and consumer transparency. ✅ Supply Chain Excellence: Launched 'Blinc On-Demand,' revolutionizing vape hardware inventory management with flexible payment terms and rapid fulfillment. ✅ Legal Victory: Successfully defended against patent infringement allegations in a high-profile ITC investigation, affirming our commitment to innovation and integrity ✅ Thought Leadership: Served as Chairman of ISO TC126/SC3 and CEN TC437, influencing international vaping standards and regulations. My tenure at The Blinc Group was marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence, strategic foresight, and a commitment to delivering innovative solutions that set new industry benchmarks.

Dans quelques semaines, nous allons choisir celles et ceux qui représenteront les Français à l’Assemblée nationale. L’élection d’Emmanuel Macron a lancé un signal fort pour le renouvellement de la classe politique française. En juin, je souhaite sincèrement que la France prenne le chemin de l’espérance plutôt que celui du blocage. C’est dans cet esprit de renouvellement, dans cet esprit dynamique que j’ai souhaité, à 35 ans, m’engager pour servir notre pays, pour servir l’intérêt général et vous être utile au quotidien dans les réformes que nous attendons en tant qu’expatriés. Comme vous, je souhaite que notre pays réussisse dans un monde en profonde mutation et nous le savons plus encore ici que dans l’Hexagone. Dans ce monde en mouvement, parfois brutal, notre pays a besoin de Femmes et d’Hommes qui, non seulement ont de l’expérience mais aussi qui ont la volonté de faire changer les choses. Comme vous, je sais combien les réformes de la fiscalité, du régime de santé, de l’éducation ou des démarches administratives, sont essentielles. Des réformes de simplification s’imposent pour que nous puissions, les uns et les autres, nous projeter sereinement dans l’avenir avec nos familles. Moderniser la France, tel est notre défi commun. Transmettre à nos enfants, l’héritage de nos aïeux est notre devoir. Préserver notre pays des extrêmes et des déclinologues, telle est notre mission. Transparence et intégrité, modernisation et innovation sont pour moi les pierres angulaires de mon engagement. Voilà pourquoi, je me présente aux élections législatives de juin prochain, pour qu’ensemble nous œuvrions au rayonnement de la France.

★As President of Gaïatrend oversees the formulation and implementation of strategic planning to guide business operations into the U.S. market. Arnaud’s high achieving entrepreneurial efforts has brought the company to 130 employees resulting in accomplishing the company goals and initiatives while understanding the importance of transparency, particularly in an unregulated U.S. industry. He works to educate consumers through national and international efforts about e-liquids and their ingredients across France and in the United States. ★The e-liquid manufacturer Gaïatrend distributes among other brands, Alfaliquid, which is one of the preferred brands of e-liquids on the French territory. The brand’s name, inspired from the Greek goddess, mother of the Earth, alludes to genuine ingredients. ►Proficient in business analysis principles, conceptualization and top-level problem solving. ►Experience in solution design and delivery that involves multiple and complex requirements that span geography, infrastructure, standards, systems, platforms, and architectural approaches. ►Designs and executes comprehensive brand development strategies for both online and retail. ►Coordinates all third-party logistics (3PL) partners, international customs and maintains awareness of both the external and internal competitive landscape, opportunities for expansion, customers, markets, new industry developments and standards. ►Human Resources: Forms, staffs, guides, leads and manages the organization into a conglomerate with extensive R&D facilities with keen attention to safety and traceability as well as customer service. ►Enterprise-level project management skills and dynamic relationship building. ►Ability to make decisions/recommendations on IT strategies to address business needs. ►Represents Gaiatrend/Alfaliquid in civic and professional association responsibilities and activities in the local community, the state, and at the national level.

►Designed the architecture and managed deployment of the 700 seat contact center for Orange Tunisia resulting in $2.4M in sales over 3 months. ►Realized $4M+ of revenue; project management lead for pre-sales (Orange Tunisia, France Telecom, Chronopost, Vidalia). ►Revealed $8M+ in possible project revenue following identifying needs within current markets (Orange Business Services, Telefonica, PhoneControl, Gaz de France, Italtel). ►Led the management of operations of US and European R&D efforts. ►Created and built marketing & sales collateral and event material for partners resulting in greater partner awareness and generating an 25% increase in their sales (source: OBS). ►Press and Public Relations Management: CosmoCom France. ►Initiated and lead prototypes and proofs of concepts (Chronopost, PPR Groupe - La Redoute) during the pre-sales process allowing for >$400K in revenue. ►Coordinated internal and external resources to respond to RFIs, RFPs & tenders as well as the follow-up of live presentations resulting in a 33% closing rate.

★Fat Smoke and its brands were leaders of the French electronic cigarette market. It had grown its brands to become the most recognized in the market and sold its products both online and through thousands of retail outlets across France and Europe. ►Managed 19 employees and propelled the company from 0 to $600K in revenue in Y1 to $3.2M revenue in Y2 with no funding. ►Accountable for the design and distribution of components and product distribution. ►Negotiated with major retailers (CRF, Casino, Relay, Valora).

►Managed and set up Orange Tunisia's entire customer service/customer relations consulting agency. ►Fully charged with providing all technical and non-technical support of Interactive Voice Response services. ►Performed as the key point of contact between customer and company. ►Realized the company’s online presence; website design and App design. ►Increased customer satisfaction and retention with companies; GSK, Orange, Humanis, GDF, Chronopost.

★ Esport Media was a game server provider (GSPs) for companies to lease game servers as well as a gaming advertising agency. ►Responsible for the IT Infrastructure Design and Implementation: Servers to networks, conception and delivery of a php/MySQL based portal including custom built components based on AJAX and web services interacting with servers around the world. ►Decreased expenses by 50% by managing the company with a home-based office model. ►Initiated/managed deals with online gaming giants (ie Over 6 months eSport-Eu.com became the n°2 GSP (France) and n°5 (Europe) which new openings in German, Belgian, Portuguese, Danish and Swiss markets. ►Managed European relations with suppliers, developers and partners and oversaw editorial, administrative and technical responsibilities. ►Met customer satisfaction goal (63%) and worked with the community to legitimize the ad-based business model.

Electronics, Electromagnetic Fields, http://www.ecam-epmi.fr/anglais/ecam-epmi/