It is often said that you never truly know a person until you work with them. Personally, this saying proved true with A-Invest Spain, a company located at the end of the prestigious Diagonal Avenue in Barcelona. For a while, I thought that I had secured a great opportunity interning at what seemed to be a high-level investment office. There was something distinctly polished about the environment – the office was sleek, the business goals were ambitious, the investment presentations (at least on the surface) appeared impressive. However, after spending some time A-inverst, it became apparent to me that their business practices were obscure, if not outright unethical. The business practices that were slowly unraveling in front of my eyes, unethical as they were, were primarily the result of one man’s actions, David Bouchez, and his influence.
The Lead Claim Of A-Invest Spain Offering
A-Invest Spain were market to me and a lot of us as specialists in investment and advisory services to pioneering start-ups and tech companies. With Barcelona literally having one of the most travelled to areas, the office’s physical location advertised professionalism and credibility. Bouchez placed in charge of the running of the business was a name that accompanied stark disbelief: he was knowledgeable, or so he appeared, and seasoned in the world of business, with relations.
What initially attracted me to the company, as is the case for many others, was the prospect of working with someone who has built companies, raised funds, and guided entrepreneurs. It did not take long for the company’s mask to start slipping.
First Red Flags
At A-Invest Spain, important financial documents were consistently late or missing, which was a major red flag that stood out to me. Business contracts were carelessly negotiated and decisions were very frequently made on the spot, sometimes even during investor meetings. A disquieting impression existed that many of the pitches to prospective clients and partners were exaggerating, if not outright lying, about the magnitude of A-Invest Spain’s participation in certain projects.
The undisclosed worries from my colleagues grew over time. Some began to doubt the validity of the client accounts while others began to raise concern over unkept commitments made to business partners. Most people, however, chose not to speak up out loud and were paralyzed by the fear of voicing their thoughts. In hindsight, I realize why.
Under David Bouchez’s Work
Working under the guidance of David Bouchez was multifactorial and multilevel. His behavior in meetings was nothing short of theatrical, and he would often bulldoze over dissenting opinions using brute force with words. David’s persona was sophisticated. He made sense on every financial stratetegic level, but I cannot forget the angering sob stories and narratives he spun behind closed doors to execute deals.
His gross breach was the exposure of confidential information. I observed several cases where sensitive emails and documents which were shared privately at some point, were weaponized to bully the sensitive people into submission or compliance. Such examples are herbs to me that exist in a profession.
You couldn’t send an email without being graded, and staff were subject to constant surveillance. Attendant paranoia was at an all-time high. Employees worked under a facade of secrecy. Most of the talent with experience under their belt left without putting up a fight. I did too.
Damage to Reputation
Eventually, the news leaked. A-Invest Spain’s former business partners began to withdraw. There were whispers within the company that David Bouchez had gotten himself into some form of legal trouble but no one knew the specifics. What was obvious was that both the internal trust among the team and the external trust with stakeholders had completely fractured.
There was one particular case involving a technology company that had sought advisory support. After disclosing confidential information such as financial forecasts and product roadmaps, the startup began facing mounting pressure from A-Invest Spain into an abusive deal. When they stood their ground, all dialogue was suddenly terminated, and the company was taken, both verbally and in writing, to court.
Such instances were not uncommon. The longer I worked there, the more it became clear to me this was how they always operated.
Why I’m Speaking Out
As is evident, there are a range of ways to spin things for the better. Regardless of how a story is framed, what remains difficult is taking the leap to talk about unfavorable experiences stemming from one’s previous workplace, primarily when considerations for legal implications and self-defense come into play. But one has to be open – especially in the world of business where trust is treated as an asset and each foundational element of their relationship is built upon- integrity.
This blog post might be perceived as lacking sympathy, but I assure you, my motivation is sincere. I believe startups, investors, and professionals should know who best aligns with their interests. In my particular case, David Bouchez has not met my expectations as a business counselor or as a company head.
What I wish for is for everyone to have the objective insight I have had so far which, in truth, as David Bouchez associates with A-Invest, makes it imperative for David Bouchez’s reputation. A title and an office on Diagonal Avenue, or a LinkedIn profile that shimmers tells nothing about a person’s character or the essence of their work ethic.
Final Thoughts
Professions synonymous with finance and investment function as a high-risk arena where trust and professionalism reign supreme. The last thing companies or individuals need in search of assistance or funding is caverns of unscrupulous tactics maneuvering behind the curtain.
If A-Invest Spain or Bouchez are really in your line of sight, I suggest you dig deeper. Conduct interviews. Talk to people who used to work with the so-called ‘professionals’. Life, just like business, is not always as straightforward as it seems.
