What makes us different

Otium Capital differenciates itself in three ways : being a sector specialist, having a high level of involvement in the growth of its investee companies and bringing together in one team complementary experiences.

Otium Capital : the leisure and distributor specialist

When Pierre-Edouard founded Smartbox, he brought a major change to the leisure distribution industry.

Smartbox was created in 2003, with only €10 000 of share capital. Seven years later, the company has achieved a turnover of over 350 million euros internationally.

This rapid growth was made possible thanks to the close relationship Smartbox has developped with its 20 000 partners (hotels, restaurants, spas,...) throughout the world. 

Understanding the needs of those businesses when it comes to pricing, booking and yield-management has led to the selection of the first investments, of which LaFourchette is a good example.

This understanding of the industry remains the first key differenciating point for Otium Capital.

Otium Capital: a hands-on investor

The Otium Capital team has a very hands-on approach to the relationship with portfolio companies. Not only do we sit on the key committees within the companies, but we also work alongside the entrepreneurs and management teams on key financial and strategic projects such as fundraising, product development, innovation, international expansion, marketing, key recruitments etc...

Otium Capital therefore represents much more than a financial lever for the company.

When it comes to exits, Otium Capital has a true long-term vision made possible by the investment of its own equity rather than external funds. In certain cases, we will however take advantage of short-term opportunities.

Otium Capital: an entrepreneurial team

Alongside Pierre-Edouard Stérin, our team brings together investment, entrepreneurial and management skills.

This very operational angle means we pay a particular attention to product quality, client satisfaction, commercial development, flow optimization, IT infrastructure, organization and management.

Finally, the Otium Capital team can draw on the experience of the quick international expansion of Smartbox (20 countries) but also on that of LaFourchette, Weekendesk, Buyagift and Lookingo. With us, those companies have expanded outside of their home countries, respectively : France, the UK and Australia.