Volta Raises Biggest Pre-Seed Round in Italy, Aims to Revolutionize B2B Transactions
Volta, a Milan and Paris-based startup, has secured a remarkable €6 million ($6.3 million) pre-seed funding round, making it the largest pre-seed round ever raised by an Italian startup. The company’s mission is to provide a Shopify-like platform specifically tailored for B2B transactions, addressing the significant gap in the market.
Many midsize wholesale and distribution companies across Europe still rely on outdated, manual processes, such as paper catalogs and inefficient order processing. Volta aims to simplify this landscape by offering a SaaS platform that allows businesses to manage their product catalogs, share them with potential clients, and streamline the entire sales process.
“The B2C sector has evolved rapidly, with digital platforms replacing paper catalogs and delivering integrated e-commerce solutions. Meanwhile, B2B operations have lagged nearly 15 years behind, still bogged down by outdated, manual processes,” said Paul Guillemin, Volta’s co-founder and co-CEO.
Volta’s platform enables companies to upload their existing product catalogs, create customized catalogs for different clients, and track ongoing negotiations. The data remains synchronized with the company’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, ensuring a seamless integration.
The startup’s founding team, consisting of Guillemin and Mario Parteli, brings a wealth of experience to the table. Guillemin previously founded Fretlink, a road freight transport startup, while Parteli has a long history in the tech industry, including roles at Facile.it and Rocket Internet.
The pre-seed round was led by Emblem, a relatively new European VC firm, with participation from various other funds and angel investors, including Robin Capital, Founders Future, Sequoia, and a16z through their scout programs, as well as prominent investment firms like those of the Berlusconi and Agnelli families.
Volta’s success in securing this substantial pre-seed funding reflects the growing demand for innovative B2B solutions in the European market. The company’s vision to modernize the B2B transaction landscape has garnered significant investor interest, paving the way for its ambitious plans to expand its product offerings and solidify its position as the go-to platform for midsize wholesale and distribution companies.
