Réda Berrehili, journey of a technological innovator and entrepreneur

In this interview, Réda Berrehili lets us discover her passion for IT and entrepreneurship. He reveals how this early passion for technology shaped his professional journey, from his first steps in website creation to his investment and education initiatives.

Can you tell us about the first moments you discovered your passion for IT and how that passion has shaped your career path so far?

I discovered my passion for computers from my earliest childhood. At the age of 11, when our home did not yet have an Internet connection, I was already creating websites from my bedroom and carrying them on floppy disks to put them online from an Internet café.

This early fascination with technology was more driven by the ability to quickly create products that would impact people’s lives, all from my teenage bedroom. I immediately knew that these skills would guide my ambitions, my academic and professional career, directing me towards studies in computer engineering then towards entrepreneurship and finally investment.

The development of Squarebreak presented several challenges, including structuring a viable business model and adapting to the demands of the vacation rental market. One of the most complex jobs to operate.
The main challenge was to integrate hotel services with a set of heterogeneous properties scattered across Europe. To do this, we developed proprietary technology that allowed us to conduct operations with the support of local independent operational teams.

We have therefore succeeded, thanks to technology, in creating a scalable model with a variable cost structure while controlling the quality of the service provided. Obviously, this strength attracted the interest of a market juggernaut that is Accorhotels, which was quick to buy us.

You played an important role in the creation of 212Founders, a support and investment program in Morocco. How do you see the evolution of the technological entrepreneurial ecosystem in Morocco since its creation?

I perceive the evolution of the technological entrepreneurial ecosystem in Morocco as extremely positive since the creation of 212Founders. By participating in the creation of this program, I wanted to help the emergence of the type of support that I would have dreamed of having as an entrepreneur in Morocco: a program capable not only of educating tech entrepreneurship, but also to finance and support startups in their intense growth phase.

I am also convinced that Morocco’s strength lies in its quality human capital, which is not only present locally but also dispersed internationally. This represents a unique opportunity for the country to capitalize on these talents to drive innovation and economic growth.

In terms of impact, the support provided to local entrepreneurs has already borne fruit with startups like Inyad, which recently raised one of the largest financing rounds in Moroccan history, but also Userguest, Hsabati, LNKO , and many other structures. However, I think our greatest impact could be made with Moroccan entrepreneurs abroad, helping them reconnect with the local ecosystem and contribute to its development. This strengthened link between Morocco and its international talents could be the key to further accelerating the development of our tech entrepreneurial ecosystem.

You have also invested in numerous startups in France. What criteria guide your investment process and how do you select the startups in which you invest?

My investment process is primarily based on the rigorous evaluation of several key criteria, including the composition and dynamics of the founding team, the targeted market, and the viability of the startup’s business model.

The team is the most crucial factor in my decision to invest. An ideal team must be resilient, ambitious, and attentive, while having strong convictions. This means that founders must be able to adapt to market feedback and challenges while remaining firm on their long-term visions and goals. This combination of flexibility and determination is essential for navigating the ups and downs of the entrepreneurial journey.

In addition, the complementarity of skills within the team is also essential. Typically, a balance between a CEO with a product or marketing oriented profile, and a CTO who masters the technical aspect, is often effective. In some cases, a third co-founder focusing on sales can complement this duo, especially in markets where direct interactions with customers are crucial. This distribution of roles ensures that the main aspects of running a tech startup are covered effectively, thereby maximizing the chances of success.

The market addressed must not only be broad and deep, but also allow a repeatable and scalable economic model. This implies that the startup must have the ability to generate recurring revenue and maintain regular interactions with its customers, which contributes to sustained growth and greater predictability of revenue streams.

Finally, I prefer to invest in startups that have already demonstrated some commercial traction. The presence of significant revenue is concrete proof that the product or service meets a real market need and that the team has the capacity to execute its business model. This also partly validates the effectiveness of the team and the relevance of the targeted market.

In short, these combined elements guide my selection and investment decision process in startups, with particular emphasis on the strength and complementarity of the team, as well as the solidity and scalability of the business model.

The Gemstone investment fund that you co-founded aims to support
Moroccan diaspora. Can you tell us more about the objectives and
initiatives of this fund?

The creation of the Gemstone investment fund is the result of a strategic vision aimed at connecting, supporting and capitalizing on the entrepreneurial potential of the Moroccan diaspora around the world. This fund is a continuation of the efforts previously undertaken by 212 Founders, which played a crucial role in the emergence of an ecosystem of entrepreneurs in Morocco, and by the creation of Klub, a community of investors focused on financing startups in the seed phase.

Gemstone’s objective is ambitious and clearly defined: to identify and invest in the 30 most promising startups founded or co-founded by Moroccans around the globe over the next 7 years. Our mission is not limited to providing initial financing; we aspire to guide these startups on the path to becoming billion-dollar or more companies. This involves extensive strategic support, management advice, business strategy and market expansion, to ensure that these companies not only survive but thrive and redefine the industries in which they operate.

Regarding the selection criteria, Gemstone mainly targets startups in the Seed to pre-Series A phase. We are looking for companies that use technology to challenge the status quo and introduce disruptive innovations in their respective sectors. This focus on technology is essential because it not only allows rapid scalability but also significant transformation potential in global markets.

In short, Gemstone does not only seek to finance startups, but to build a bridge between the Moroccan diaspora and global opportunities for innovation and economic growth. We want to create a network where Moroccan entrepreneurs can benefit from the support, resources and connections needed to excel on the international stage.

In addition to being an investor, you are also a passionate mentor and educator. What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs looking to enter the field of technology and innovation?

I would advise young entrepreneurs to stay curious, keep learning and not be afraid of failure. Entrepreneurship in the technological field requires an ability to anticipate trends and constantly innovate and above all to never give up. I also failed, but I always believed in my ability to succeed, so I never gave up.

It is also important to build a strong network and actively seek out mentors.

How do you see the future of tech entrepreneurship, both in Morocco and Europe, and what are the emerging trends that could shape this
future according to you?

The future of technology entrepreneurship, both in Morocco and in Europe, is bright and I am convinced that it will be deeply influenced by several emerging trends, including the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in all activity area.

Globally, we are witnessing a major paradigm shift with artificial intelligence infiltrating business operations, radically transforming their operational efficiency. AI enables increased automation, improved decision-making through advanced data analytics, and personalization of services that was not previously possible. For example, in the health technology sector, AI can revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of diseases through algorithms that can detect abnormalities that traditional methods cannot, increasing the chances of successful treatment at a early stage.

In Morocco, three sectors particularly stand out: Agritech, HealthTech and Fintech. Agritech is particularly promising in Morocco due to the size of its agricultural market, valued at more than $10 billion. There is immense opportunity for innovation in this area, whether through biotechnology, automation of agricultural processes, or more efficient water management solutions. This capacity for innovation in Agritech can not only improve the productivity and sustainability of Moroccan agriculture but also create substantial value for entrepreneurs in this sector.

In the field of HealthTech and Fintech, the opportunities are no less significant. HealthTech in Morocco can benefit from AI to improve access to medical care in underserved areas, while Fintech can transform financial services, making transactions safer, faster and more accessible to a wider population. wide, including in rural areas.

The future of technological entrepreneurship in Morocco and Europe therefore seems very promising, with AI innovations that will redefine standard business practices and optimize operational efficiency. At the same time, specific sectors such as Agritech, HealthTech and Fintech in Morocco present unique opportunities for the development of local solutions that respond to the specific challenges of the region, while having the potential to export internationally. . These developments clearly show that technology entrepreneurship will continue to play a crucial role in economic and social transformation, both locally and globally.

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