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 the nova-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.
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