Born entrepreneurs and former Division 1 athletes on The Ohio State Wrestling Team, small-town identical twin brothers Derek and Daniel Koch made a bold leap from Columbus, Ohio, to New York City in September 2002. Driven by their ambition to pursue filmmaking, this move quickly evolved into a remarkable journey that established them as influential figures in the hospitality and real estate industries.

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Upon arriving in New York, the Koch Twins dove headfirst into the city's dynamic hospitality landscape. They honed their skills under the mentorship of industry luminaries such as Philippe Delgrange, Thierry and Bruno Gelromini, Aymeric Clemente, Patrick Cabido, Jean-Baptiste Parvaix, and William Abadie at prestigious French Upper East Side restaurants 'Le Bilboquet' and 'Le Charlot.' While studying film at 'NYU CSPS,' they simultaneously served as marketing directors at 'In The Buzz,' where they played pivotal roles in promoting renowned nightlife venues, including 'Pink Elephant,' 'Cain,' and the legendary nightclub 'Pacha,' which they opened in December 2005.

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In 2007, the brothers, Blake Seo, Frederick, and Laurent Lesort took a significant step by launching their first restaurant-club, 'Jour et Nuit,' just steps from the iconic Plaza Hotel. They transformed a 5,000-square-foot underground space into a vibrant destination with a classic French-American menu. Their comprehensive management and innovative marketing strategies set new standards in the industry.

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The following year, the Koch Twins founded 'DUAL Groupe,' a boutique hospitality marketing and promotional firm. This venture birthed their legendary 'Day & Night' event series, which began at 'Merkato 55' in the Meatpacking District and quickly became a trendsetter across elite Manhattan venues such as 'Cipriani Downtown,' The Plaza Hotel's 'Oak Room,' and 'Buddha Bar.' For five consecutive years, their pop-up events captivated audiences, expanding their influence to hotspots in the Hamptons, St. Barth's, Art Basel Miami, St. Tropez, Cannes, and Sundance Film Festivals, reinforcing their positions as international leaders in the hospitality and events industry.

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In 2010, the brothers partnered with the Russian hospitality group 'Ginza Project' to launch 'MPD,' a French boîte that garnered a Michelin Recommendation, making waves with its unique DJ booth concept in the main dining area. Their success attracted partnerships from major brands like 'Moët Hennessy USA' and 'Red Bull.' They further expanded their portfolio with the opening of 'TOY,' an Asian-Fusion restaurant-nightclub at the 'Hotel Gansevoort,' in collaboration with Jeffrey Chodorow of 'China Grill Management,' and 'Château Cherbuliez,' a fine dining French restaurant within the iconic 'Limelight' nightclub, formerly owned by Peter Gatien.

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In 2013, the Koch Twins co-produced the TV show "Playing with Fire" in collaboration with 'Atlas Media' for the 'E! Network,' which aired immediately following the Kardashians and is now available for streaming on platforms like Amazon and Apple. During this time, they showcased emerging talents, including 'The Chainsmokers,' at their events. Their accomplishments led to the establishment of 'DMK Enterprises,' which enabled them to consult in Dubai alongside the premier hospitality group 'Pragma / White Label.' In September 2014, the brothers took on the roles of creative directors at 'Space Ibiza New York,' marking the city's largest nightclub opening since their venture with 'Pacha' a decade prior.

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After years of successfully negotiating restaurant leases, the brothers made a significant career shift to full-time real estate in 2015 by joining 'Douglas Elliman.' They swiftly rose to prominence as top-producing brokers, working alongside the acclaimed Ariel Cohen team to facilitate over $500 million in transactions within three years. In recognition of his exceptional performance, Derek received the "Deal of the Year" award from the Real Estate Board of New York in 2018. The following year, the brothers transitioned to 'Compass,' teaming up with the esteemed Toni Haber team to further enhance their expertise and drive continued success in the dynamic real estate market.
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As of 2024, the brothers are actively engaged in luxury residential and commercial real estate, each taking on distinct roles. While relocating, Derek leads the sales team at Spire, a luxury high-rise condominium development in downtown Seattle, WA, under 'Polaris Pacific.' Meanwhile, Daniel, a licensed broker with 'eXp Realty,' specializes in commercial healthcare properties across multiple states while leading his luxury residential firm, 'West Paces Advisory,' which focuses on Atlanta's prestigious Tuxedo Park, exploring new development opportunities for high-end buyers. Recently, they launched 'Koch Capital,' a real estate investment firm in partnership with the private equity fund 'Broadstreet Global,' based in Greenville, South Carolina. This venture focuses on land, development, and infrastructure projects across the Southeast region.

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Throughout their careers, Derek and Daniel have conceptualized, branded, and operated over a dozen of their own restaurants and nightclubs while providing consultancy services to luxury brands and collaborating with industry influencers. Their work has garnered profile features in prominent publications, including 'The New York Times' and the 'New York Post.' They also made a notable appearance on the hit comedy series 'Patriot Act' with Hasan Minhaj, available on Netflix.​ As they embark on a new hotel-resort venture as part of their long-term vision, the Koch Twins continue to defy conventional boundaries as entrepreneurs, leveraging their innovative thinking, astute business acumen, and extensive two-decade hospitality expertise to carve their path to success. 

 

In addition to their business pursuits, they remain passionate about filmmaking, technology, and motivational speaking while maintaining an active lifestyle in triathlon, with aspirations of qualifying for the prestigious Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

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