Raus, an immersion brand that offers retreats at unique locations amid nature, secured a total of more than €8.5 million with the investment spearheaded by ROCH Ventures. The European Travel Tech venture capital firm is backed by an unparalleled team of leaders from the travel & hospitality industry such as Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs, Ennismore Brand Chief Operating Officer Chadi Farhat, and more.
Rockaway Ventures, Dupuis Investment, and additional strategic backers, along with continued support from renowned existing investors such as Speedinvest, 10x Founders, and others, have significantly reinforced the funding. As part of the round, Raus successfully obtained an asset-backed lending facility from German Varengold Bank, a critical step towards scaling the growth of its nature immersion brand.
“We are pleased to partner with Raus. Raus has all the ingredients of a future winner: a premium value proposition targeting the high-growth segment of Nature Immersion; the use of digital technologies for true sustainability and rapid scaling; and an outstanding founding team,” said Ludger Kübel-Sorger, Founder & Managing Partner of ROCH Ventures.
The additional capital will be strategically allocated to fuel Raus’ expansion across Europe with Austria commencing in the coming months. This geographical expansion coincides with the launch of Cabin Model 2.0, featuring a lighter, more compact construction with advanced technology, luxurious dark paneling, modular stairs, and an elevated shower experience with a panoramic view.
Looking forward to 2024, the company sets its sights on further consolidating its presence in Europe, establishing more community locations, enhancing its proprietary technology for a seamless stay, and expanding the platform with more immersive nature products and services.
“We are extremely proud of the support and unwavering belief of our investors in our business model and vision. With Raus, we address critical challenges within the travel industry while meeting the enduring demand for a more conscious, and mindful living that will accompany us for many years to come,” commented Julian Trautwein, Co-founder and CEO of Raus.
Just two years after its inception in October 2021, Raus has helped thousands of guests recharge their batteries from city life in 50+ cabins located across nine federal states all over Germany. Catering to an increasing prevalence of burnout and mental health challenges in society, Raus offers a seamless transition into nature, enabling individuals to find balance in their busy routines and tap into the power of the great outdoors. The past summer season witnessed nearly full occupancy and marked the opening of Lodge am See, the company’s first upscale nature resort amid a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve between Berlin and Hamburg.
Over the past year, Raus has showcased continuous growth across the business, with a +500% growth in revenue YoY, and a fivefold increase in the number of guests hosted compared to the previous year while tripling the volume of new bookings indicating a consistently rising guest demand. By working closely with farmers and foresters, Raus furthermore positively impacts agricultural businesses by providing an opportunity to generate a significant additional income, averaging €1,500 per month for local partners.
In addition to renting out parts of temporarily unused land Raus’ landpartners can also offer their products and services to guests, from local breakfast packages and farm products to guided herbal tours or alpaca hikes. This significant financial support empowers local partners to diversify their revenue streams, ensuring the sustainability of their businesses and hedging them against multiple structural challenges and the impacts of climate change.
