On March 5th, W Platform successfully completed its first fundraising round, raising €2 million. This funding round, led by the VitiRev Innovation fund and managed by the teams at Demeter Investment Managers, will enable the deployment of our CO2 Winery solution in France and internationally.
This fundraising marks a major milestone in our mission to revolutionize the management of fermentation CO2 in the wine industry. In France, winemaking activities produce more than 336,000 tons of fermentation CO2 each year. Our biogenic CO2 capture and valorization solution is crucial. It not only helps winemakers reduce the costs of purchasing biogenic CO2 but also lowers their carbon footprint, thus contributing to a more sustainable circular economy.
Expansion and Strategic Objectives
With this financial support, we plan to accelerate our commercial expansion both in the national and international markets. This includes establishing regional and national distribution networks to facilitate the adoption of our technology by winemakers. Since its launch in December 2022, our CO2 Winery offering has already attracted major players in the wine industry, such as 1er Grand Cru Classé Château Latour, Les Grands Chais de France, as well as renowned family estates like Château Respide and Château Peychaud.
We also plan to strengthen our operational infrastructure by developing an assembly site strategically located in the Bordeaux region. This initiative aims to optimize our production and distribution capacities while ensuring optimal service quality for our customers. Additionally, we plan to consolidate our current teams and structure our top management with the recruitment of a Chief Operating Officer dedicated to managing our daily operations.
Investor Reactions and Future Prospects
Amaury Kalt, Investment Director at Demeter Investment Managers, stated: « We are delighted to support W Platform, which directly addresses the growing environmental concerns of the wine industry. This investment perfectly aligns with our investment strategy focused on innovative and sustainable solutions. »
La levée de fonds de 2 millions d’euros a été accueillie avec enthousiasme par les investisseurs, soulignant non seulement la pertinence de la technologie CO2 Winery mais aussi le potentiel de croissance de W Platform sur le marché mondial de la gestion du CO2 biogénique. Les perspectives futures incluent l’expansion vers de nouveaux marchés viticoles internationaux, la consolidation de partenariats stratégiques avec d’autres acteurs de l’industrie et l’amélioration continue de la technologie de captation et de valorisation du CO2.
A Turning Point for W Platform
In conclusion, this recent fundraising marks a significant turning point for W Platform, confirming its role as a leader in biogenic CO2 capture and valorization. With a renewed commitment to sustainable innovation and strategic international expansion, W Platform is well-positioned to address the environmental challenges of the wine industry and beyond. We are grateful to our investors and partners for their continued support, and we eagerly anticipate the next steps in our journey toward a more sustainable and greener future.