From Germany, for the world: Plato secures €12.2 million to automate sales and ERP workflows in distribution

In the fast-paced world of wholesale distribution, efficiency is key. That's why Plato, an AI-based operating system for wholesale distributors, has secured a whopping €12.2 million in Seed funding to revolutionize the industry.

With a mission to transform the €2.5 trillion global trading industry through AI, Plato has caught the attention of top investors, including European VC firm Atomico and prior investors Cherry Ventures. This latest round of funding follows their 2024 pre-Seed round of €6 million, as reported by EU-Startups.

But what makes Plato stand out in a sea of startups? According to CEO Benedikt Nolte, it's the first-hand experience he gained in his family's distribution business that led to the development of Plato. Together with a team of top-tier technologists, they are rethinking the way the industry operates by building an AI operating system for distributors - from Germany, for the world.

And Plato is not alone in its quest to disrupt the wholesale industry. In the past two years, several other funding rounds have been reported for adjacent segments to Plato's AI-enabled wholesale operating system. Among them are Berlin-based Andercore, which secured €33.5 million in February 2026 to expand its AI-driven industrial trade platform across Europe, and Amsterdam's Delfio, which raised €1.5 million in pre-Seed funding in June 2025 to develop its automation platform for the international wholesale market.

With approximately €35-36 million in disclosed funding going towards AI-enabled trade, wholesale, and B2B operational platforms in Europe during 2025-2026, it is clear that the industry is ripe for disruption. And Germany is emerging as a key hub for this segment, with Plato leading the charge.

But what convinced Atomico to lead the latest funding round for Plato? According to partner Andreas Helbig, it was the rare quality of the founding team. With a deep understanding of the industry, strong technical execution, and a burning passion for distributors and trade, Plato's team has a 'right to win' in this space. Helbig also notes that wholesalers are urgently looking for industry-specific AI software, making Plato the solution they need.

So what exactly does Plato offer? Founded in 2023, the company has developed an AI-native software that automates core workflows in sales, quoting, and ERP operations for distribution businesses. This is an industry that touches every 5th dollar of the global production output, yet remains underserved by modern software.

The team behind Plato - Benedikt Nolte, Matthias Heinrich Morales, and Oliver Birch - initially built the platform within Nolte's family wholesale distribution business. They saw first-hand the challenges faced by the industry, such as labor shortage, low margins, and the digital expectations of modern B2B buyers. And they knew they had the solution to these problems.

Through their AI copilot, Plato empowers sales teams with sales intelligence and process automation, resulting in up to 15% revenue uplift and 5 hours saved per week through automated ERP quoting workflows. With 10x higher sales efficiency through better communication for field and inside sales, Plato's solution is a game-changer for wholesalers.

And the company has already seen success, closing distribution businesses with 6-figure average contract values. With this new round of funding, they plan to expand their product offering into customer service and procurement while supporting their international expansion.

Key takeaways:

• Plato secures €12.2 million in Seed funding to automate sales and ERP workflows in distribution.
• The German-based startup is on a mission to transform the €2.5 trillion global trading industry through AI.
• Plato's team has first-hand industry expertise and a burning passion for distributors and trade, making them a 'right to win' in this space.
• Several other funding rounds have been reported for AI-enabled trade, wholesale, and B2B operational platforms in Europe, with Germany emerging as a key hub.
• Plato's AI-native software automates core workflows in sales, quoting, and ERP operations for distribution businesses.
• The solution has already seen success, resulting in up to 15% revenue uplift and 5 hours saved per week for businesses.
• With this new funding, Plato will expand its product offering and support international expansion.

Source: From Germany, for the world: Plato secures €12.2 million to automate sales and ERP workflows in distribution.