Amsterdam-based Wakuli has raised €5M in a new Series A debt-and-equity round backed by ECBF and Rabobank, bringing total funding to €9.25M.
Previous supporters include ABN AMRO Sustainable Impact Fund and Icecat Capital.
A Model Built On Farmer Income And Regenerative Agriculture
Founded in 2019 by Yorick Bruins and Lukas Grosfeld, Wakuli set out to modernise coffee sourcing by giving farmers long-term financial stability and a greater share of value creation. The company began as an online subscription service and has since expanded into a network of 20 coffee bars across the Netherlands, supported by a growing digital customer base.
The company’s philosophy is straightforward: when farmers earn a dependable living income, they can adopt regenerative, climate-friendly practices that rebuild soil health and restore biodiversity.
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Proven Climate Impact Across 16,000+ Farmers
Over the past five years, Wakuli has partnered with more than 16,000 farmers across 13 countries, including regions such as the DRC, Myanmar and East Timor. By paying some of the highest prices in each origin, the company enables farmers to shift away from input-heavy practices toward sustainable agroforestry systems.
Independent research from the nova-Institute shows that Wakuli’s partner farms generate just 0.30–0.60 kg CO₂ per kg of green coffee — a reduction of 57–89% compared to conventional production. Several farms even achieve net-negative emissions through carbon capture in trees and soil.
These improvements stem from shade-grown methods, organic soil restoration, reduced pesticide use and the elimination of synthetic fertilizers — steps farmers can take only when their income allows for long-term planning.
Expanding Retail And International Footprint
The new capital will fuel the startup’s plan to increase its number of coffee bars across the Netherlands and to establish its first locations outside the country.
About Wakuli
Wakuli is reinventing the global coffee supply chain by linking fair pricing, regenerative agriculture and direct farmer relationships. Through a network of cafés, subscriptions and digital channels, Wakuli delivers high-quality coffee produced with transparency, sustainability and farmer prosperity at its core.
