About us
A global team of entrepreneurial-minded builders, we are reshaping the foundations of travel operations with AI-powered technologies that reflect the disruptive era we’re living in.
Beyond being experts in our fields, our team comes from various backgrounds, passions and skill sets from musicians and chefs to tennis players and, of course, avid travelers.
While cultivating a culture of curiosity, generosity and stillness (see more about our values below), we hope to inspire positive change and find new opportunities wherever we are.
Executive team
Our leadership has deep expertise in travel tech and AI, counting previous exits and several companies built in the travel space
Riccardo Vittoria, CEO
Riccardo, a Fulbright scholar and serial entrepreneur, boasts a robust background in AI and industrial engineering. He founded and successfully led 30SecondsToFly, which specialized in AI-driven solutions to enhance travel call centers. The venture drew significant attention and culminated in its acquisition by American Express GBT in 2020. Post-acquisition, Riccardo spearheaded AI initiatives at AmexGBT.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Riccardo is extremely passionate about tennis, Afro-Latin dancing, playing music, cognitive behavioral theories and, of course, aviation.
Henry Chen Weinstein, President
Henry, who is a dynamic venture capitalist and a fervent advocate for high-impact entrepreneurship, has been instrumental in shaping the future of travel technology. As the co-founder and managing partner of One Travel Ventures, Henry focuses on addressing the most pressing challenges in the rapidly expanding travel industry. He's also a co-founder of Travel Tech Nation, a pioneering crowdsourced platform and community for travel tech professionals. With a rich history in venture capital and product development, Henry's influence extends across various roles, including as an investor in groundbreaking startups and as a strategic advisor to numerous corporations. His recognition includes Forbes 30 under 30, Phocuswright 35 under 35 in Travel, and Israel's 100 most influential people in digital.
Pavel Pratyush, Head of Engineering
Pavel Pratyush is renowned for his leadership in tech environments ranging from eBay to ManoMano, a EU unicorn startup where he was Head of Engineering.
With a strong grasp of Agile principles and a strategic approach to AI, Pavel has excelled in leading large engineering teams and spearheading major technology initiatives. His role as an Associate Professor reflects his commitment to education and knowledge sharing in the field of computer science.
Pavel's unique blend of industry expertise and academic insight drives innovation and growth at Acai Travel.
Ron Glickman, Head of Sales
Ron Glickman has a proven track record in strategic initiatives and global partnerships. Previously, Ron contributed to the commercial expansion at major airlines such as EL AL and Etihad and, in 2020, spearheaded Air Italy's go-to-market strategy for North America. In 2021, he moved to travel tech start-up PSNGR1 which won BTN Innovate’s People’s Choice Award and was later acquired by Snowfall. He brings this expertise in building and executing global partnership strategies across travel verticals to Acai Travel's growing customer base.
Nathalie Lylock, Head of Customer Experience
Nathalie Lylock has over 20 years of experience in elevating customer experiences and operational excellence. Throughout her career, Nathalie has held significant roles, including positions in VIP operations at Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) and as a customer experience lead and senior product manager at American Express Global Business Travel. Her extensive background in developing customer-centric strategies and leading product innovation plays a crucial role in shaping Acai Travel’s expanding offerings and enhancing its reputation for service excellence.
Principles that drive everything we do
Ego-less approach
We foster a culture where ego is identified as a hindrance to progress. We humbly assume we could be incorrect and value the perspectives of others, enabling us to converge swiftly on more intelligent solutions.
Emptiness
Rooted in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, we understand that our perceptions are largely self-generated interpretations of reality. We take responsibility for our emotional reactions to interactions, acknowledging that these emotions stem from within us and are within our control.
Stillness
We practice mental and emotional stillness, diffusing negative emotions while nourishing the positive ones. This state of calm enhances our ability to listen and understand our colleagues effectively.
OK-ness
We commit ourselves to growing comfortable with discomfort. We view each challenge as an opportunity to learn and train ourselves to maintain equanimity in the face of adversity.
Opportunities
We see multiple opportunities behind every problem, to the extent that we want to face problems so that we can more quickly grow our company with new-found, beautiful possibilities.
Generosity
We help our clients, partners and suppliers achieve their very best, and we help the industry grow and innovate, as we believe travel is the key to expanding our minds and creating new inventions.
