“From Germany, for the world” – Plato secures €12.2 million to automate sales and ERP workflows in distribution
Berlin-based Plato has secured a significant €12.2 million in Seed funding to propel its AI-based operating system for wholesale distributors, aiming to automate sales and ERP workflows. This investment underscores a growing trend in the European tech landscape towards developing AI-driven solutions to modernize traditionally underserved industries, with a particular focus on enhancing operational efficiency within the global trading sector. The funding round, led by European VC firm Atomico, signals strong investor confidence in Plato's vision to transform the €2.5 trillion global trading industry. Plato's AI-native software is designed to automate critical workflows in sales, quoting, and ERP operations for distribution businesses, an industry historically lagging in digital adoption despite its substantial economic impact. The company highlights that this sector faces increasing pressure from labor shortages, tight margins, and evolving digital demands from B2B buyers, making advanced software solutions like Plato increasingly crucial for competitiveness and sustainability. This initiative aligns with broader European efforts to foster homegrown tech champions capable of competing on a global scale. The investment in Plato is emblematic of a wider surge of funding for AI-enabled trade and wholesale platforms across Europe. Similar ventures, such as Germany-based Andercore’s €33.5 million round for its industrial trade platform and Dutch fintech Delfio’s €1.5 million for its automation platform, demonstrate a robust appetite for digital transformation in B2B operations. This concentration of investment, particularly in Germany, points to the region emerging as a key hub for developing vertical software solutions that address specific industry challenges.
Curated and translated by Europe Digital for our multilingual European audience.
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