Bobby Demri
Founder & Managing Partner
INVESTMENT THESIS
INVESTING IN THE NEW ERA OF TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY
- Travel & Hospitality Is Entering a New Era.
- New Travel Habits Are the Catalyst. »
- We Back Those Who Shape the Future.
- Sustainability (ESG) Is Paramount. »
- Travel-Tech Is the Game-Changer. »
- We Back Those Who Shape the Future.
A NEW ERA IN TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY.
A NEW ERA IN TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY.
TRAVEL HABITS
Catalyst
Travellers have shifted to all-in-one platforms and experience-based decisions. They are now looking for full-service propositions where they can book their entire trip.
Active Tourism, True Luxury, Affordable Experiences, Experiential Travel, Ethical Travel are creating opportunities for specialized business models.
A NEW ERA IN TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY
TRAVEL-TECH
Game-Changer
Generative AI is revolutionizing Travel & Hospitality. It will bring hyper-personalized travel experiences, dynamic packaging, and next-gen revenue management.
NDC, Biometrics, Blockchain, IoT, NFT, Crypto, and VR will deeply transform the industry. They will disrupt legacy infrastructures, and set the stage
for new eco-system standards.
A NEW ERA IN TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY
SUSTAINABILITY
Paramount
The Travel & Hospitality industry is under pressure to evolve towards more sustainability. 69% of consumers seek eco-friendly options. 42% are willing to pay more for sustainable choices.
Regulatory frameworks are driving companies towards more sustainable business models. New business opportunities arise from new travel experiences such as soft tourism.
WE ARE LONG-TERM, DISCIPLINED INVESTORS.
Investment Team
WE BACK THOSE WHO SHAPE THE FUTURE.
Our team offers more than 40 years of combined experience in entrepreneurial leadership, management consulting, digital innovation, and investment management.
Founder of GOV, French Civic Tech leader, acquired by Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
Head of Innovation at BCG’s proprietary software division, driving investment, development, and launch of AI-powered solutions.
Advisory board member of Orange Business Services and board member of APARTOOL, a corporate global mobility tech leader.
Ludger Kuebel-Sorger
Founder & Managing Partner,
Chair of the Investment Committee
Senior Partner Emeritus and Senior Advisor of Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
Global leader at BCG, overseeing AI product launches and managing BCG’s proprietary software and data products unit, a core pillar of DigitalBCG (now BCG X).
Experienced investor with personal investments in digital startups and strategic advisor on anchor investments in the financial services sector.
Board member of RAUS, a German startup pioneering premium sustainable lodging experiences.
We have an unparalleled team of experts to ensure the success of each venture.
Amel Hammouda
Air France | Former Executive VP
Air France | Head of Transformation
Air France | Head of Network
Chadi Farhat
Ennismore | Brand COO
SBE | COO
Morgan’s Hotels | COO
Neil Jacobs
Six Senses | CEO
Starwood Capital | President Global Hotel Operations
Four Seasons | Senior Vice-President
Jan Wohlschiess
FNZ | Group Head of Operations & Delivery
Barclays Private Banking | Global COO
Deutsche Bank Private | COO/CIO
UniCredit Wealth Management | COO
CATALYZING TRAVELTECH INNOVATION AT SCALE.
PORTFOLIO | INVESTMENT APPROACH
PORTFOLIO
CONSTRUCTION
THE ROCH VENTURES’ COMPANY SELECTION FRAMEWORK.
PORTFOLIO | INVESTMENT APPROACH
COMPANY
SELECTION
We apply our proprietary framework 5+II lenses to all portfolio company candidates.
Our unique approach has been validated by over 50 years of experience as entrepreneurs, members of venture boards, and managers of a corporate venture accelerator and fund.
Initiated by a visionary
founder team
Desirability
Product or service that is 10x better than currently next-best available option, or a real moonshot
Marketability
Validated product-market fit, validated go-to market model, rapidly growing book of business
DEFENSIBILITY
Unique IP or other corporate asset that can be protected and/or give a 2-3 year headstart
Scalability
Total addressable market > $ 5 B, achievable market share >10%, scalable operating model
Timeliness
In time to ride a big wave within next 2-3 years, resilience against unexpected headwinds
Executed by an outstanding
management team
PORTFOLIO COMPANIES
INVESTMENTS
Vertical:
Corporate Travel
Theme:
Digital Platforms & Artificial Intelligence
Business model:
B2B
Location:
Spain
Website:
www.apartool.com
APARTOOL is a pioneer in the digitization of corporate global mobility.
Full-service apartments for employee relocation is a $40B market with an increasing demand for convenience, safety, and sustainability. Apartool’s software creates an unprecedented hassle-free collaboration between all involved parties: travel management companies, relocation agents, corporates, & employees. The platform runs the full process from request & confirmation to fulfillment, invoicing & payment without breaks.
Apartool pursues collaboration rather than competition with established industry actors such as Amex GBT, BCD Travel and similar. This has been instrumental for revenue growth of nearly 3x per year since 2018. Given the Spanish origin, the focus of the first years has been on Southwest Europe, now expanding rapidly to Germany, Middle-East, and the UK.
Vertical:
Accommodation
Theme:
Digital nomads, Sustainability
Business model:
B2C
Location:
Germany
Website:
www.raus.life
RAUS is the new premium brand for sustainable nature immersion.
Glamping is one the fastest growing hospitality segment and will be a $7B market in 2031. RAUS’ value proposition are exclusive cabins in hideaway places supplemented with experiential add-ons. Cabins integrate architect design & sustainable materials with technology like off-grid supplies & remote operations. The sites are in regions that are not typical tourist destinations. RAUS cooperates with farmers, foresters, and wine producers, or whole local communities.
RAUS’ management team brings deep experience from Airbnb, Tourlane, and in asset financing to the table. The team has pulled off nearly 50 cabins under management since 2021. Current geo focus is Germany and soon Austria and Switzerland. RAUS already sees demand for locations in Southwest Europe.
Vertical:
Agents & Operators
Theme:
Data & Artificial Intelligence
Business model:
B2C
Location:
Israel
Website:
www.weski.com
WESKI redefines the booking of ski vacations.
Launched by a team of passionate skiers and technologists, the company offers a self-service platform. Using a unique AI engine, skiers can compile full trips including transit, accommodation, and equipment. In a $60B value and fragmented sector, WeSki has been able to rapidly grab market share from (online) tour operators, and travel agents. The proprietary API technology supports the swift scaling of the breadth and depth of available options for customers. The management’s strategy is to focus on high ROI travel corridors like UK to France, Nordics to Austria, or East Coast to Rockies.
WE PUSH THE ART OF THE POSSIBLE.