A new startup called Volta has recently secured a pre-seed round of €6 million to develop a vertical software-as-a-service platform focused on B2B sales. The team split between Milan and Paris aims to simplify the catalog management process for midsize wholesale and distribution companies in Europe. These companies still rely on paper catalogs and manual order processing, which Volta hopes to change by offering a platform similar to Shopify but tailored specifically for B2B transactions.
Volta’s platform allows companies to upload their existing catalogs, create new catalogs, manage customers, and track negotiations all in one place. This streamlines the process before a purchase order is signed, which is then processed through the enterprise resource planning system. By offering features like catalog management, customer profile creation, and category grouping, Volta aims to provide an integrated solution for B2B operations that are still using outdated manual processes.
Co-founder and co-CEO Paul Guillemin highlighted the evolution of the B2C sector with digital platforms replacing paper catalogs, while B2B operations have lagged behind. Volta’s goal is to bridge this gap by offering a comprehensive solution that simplifies B2B transactions and catalog management. In the future, Volta plans to add logistics integrations and financing options to further enhance its platform for midsize wholesale and distribution companies.
The pre-seed round of €6 million is a significant milestone for Volta and represents the largest pre-seed round for an Italian startup. The founding team, led by Guillemin and Mario Parteli, brings valuable experience from previous ventures in the tech industry. Guillemin previously founded Fretlink, a road freight transport startup, while Parteli founded Abiby, a subscription box company for cosmetics. With the support of Emblem, a European VC firm, and other funds and angel investors, Volta is well-positioned to make a breakthrough in the B2B transaction platform market.
