Amsterdam-based coffee company Wakuli has closed a
Series A round of €5 million in debt and equity from ECBF and Rabobank.
Including earlier participation from the ABN AMRO Sustainable Impact Fund and
Icecat Capital, the company has now raised a total of €9.25 million.
Founded in 2019 by Yorick Bruins and Lukas Grosfeld,
Wakuli focuses on giving farmers greater control and reducing exploitation in
the coffee supply chain. Initially launched as an online subscription brand, it
now operates 20 coffee bars across the Netherlands while continuing to grow its
digital business.
Wakuli’s model is based on the view that farmer income
and climate impact are closely linked. The company maintains that farmers can
only adopt regenerative agricultural practices if they have access to a stable,
long-term living income from committed buyers.
Over the past five years, Wakuli has worked with more
than 16,000 farmers across 13 countries, paying among the highest prices in
their respective regions. It has maintained relationships with most of these
farmers throughout this period, including in challenging regions such as the
DRC, Myanmar and East Timor, providing a more reliable and sustainable income
stream. This financial stability enables farmers to invest in climate-friendly
methods.
Recent research by thenova-Institute indicates that Wakuli’s regenerative
approach results in emissions of just 0.30–0.60 kg CO₂ per kg of green coffee, representing a reduction of
57–89 per cent compared with conventional agriculture. Some partner farms even
achieve net-negative emissions through carbon sequestration in trees and soil.
These reductions are achieved by phasing out synthetic
fertilisers, implementing shade-grown agroforestry systems, restoring soil
health through organic management and minimising pesticide use. According to
Wakuli, such practices are feasible because farmers have the financial capacity
to prioritise long-term soil health over short-term yield maximisation.
The
company plans to use the funding to accelerate the opening of new locations in
the Netherlands and to launch its first international outposts.