Seraina Invest: 10 years, 10 questions
On its 10th anniversary, Seraina Invest looks back on a decade in which an idea has developed into a leading provider of institutional real estate investments.
In this interview, Ajay Sirohi, co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Reto Niedermann, Group CEO, talk about vertical integration, governance and transparency and provide personal insights.
What does the anniversary mean to you personally?
Ajay Sirohi: It stands for an idea that started small in 2016 and was consistently implemented. At the same time, it is an expression of gratitude to the team, investors and partners.
How would you explain Seraina in one sentence?
Reto Niedermann: Seraina is an integrated real estate investment and development manager that creates risk-optimized and sustainable real assets with predictable returns for institutional investors through its own vertical integration.
Which strategic decision was formative?
Ajay Sirohi: The foundation and later the diversification towards a multi-partner strategy were formative. The aim was to reduce dependencies, strengthen stability and open up new growth paths.
How is added value created in the model?
Reto Niedermann: Integrated value creation strengthens risk control and increases transparency along the chain. This has a stabilizing effect in challenging phases.
How does quality grow with the organization?
Ajay Sirohi: Growth must never be faster than governance. Clear decision-making processes, a strong investment committee and transparent reporting are key.
What transparency do investors expect?
Reto Niedermann: Honest assessments, early information in the event of deviations, clear scenarios and direct access to decision-makers are crucial.
What does responsibility mean in concrete terms?
Ajay Sirohi: Responsibility means delivering sustainable returns, communicating transparently and consciously managing risks. This includes leadership and guidance for employees as well as sustainable, high-quality living spaces.
What helps to remain reliable in challenging market phases?
Reto Niedermann: The key is to remain disciplined and consciously stick to the strategy. Discipline and patience will be rewarded in the long term.
What warning signs do you see for growth?
Ajay Sirohi: Warning signs are excessively rapid growth without stable structures, dependence on individual partners and a lack of capital discipline. This becomes apparent early on when transparency decreases and decision-making paths become unclear.
What recommendations do you have for the current market phase?
Reto Niedermann: Portfolio quality rather than volume, disciplined valuation scenarios, careful partner selection and planned liquidity reserves are important. Decisions should be structured, but not hesitant.
