Wakuli Closes Series A with €5 Million in debt and equity from ECBF and Rabobank

Validating Regenerative Agriculture as a Commercially Viable Solution

Amsterdam – 10 December 2025 – Impact-first coffee scale-up Wakuli closes Series A with €5 Million in debt and equity from ECBF and Rabobank. Combined with participation from the ABN AMRO Sustainable Impact Fund and Icecat Capital, this brings the total funding raised to €9.25 million. The capital injection from ECBF, a leading player in the circular bioeconomy, underscores the potential of Wakuli's business model. Wakuli will utilize the new funding to accelerate the opening of new locations in the Netherlands and launch its first international outposts.

"ECBF invests in companies leading the transition to a regenerative economy," says Isabelle Laurencin, Partner at ECBF. "Wakuli proves that guaranteeing a living income for farmers and protecting the climate can go hand-in-hand with commercial success. Making specialty coffee accessible to a broader audience is exactly the kind of scaling needed to drive systemic change."

Regenerative Agriculture: A Solution for Both Farmers and Climate
Wakuli’s approach is built on the principle that farmer income and climate impact are inextricably linked. The company posits that farmers can only invest in regenerative agriculture if assured of a stable, long-term, and living income from a committed buyer.

"The coffee industry is broken; giants control the markets while underpaying farmers," says Lukas Grosfeld, co-founder of Wakuli. "With the support of ECBF, Rabobank, and our other investors, we will exponentially increase our impact and prove that business can be a driver for positive change."

For five years, Wakuli has partnered with over 16,000 farmers across 13 countries, ensuring they receive the highest prices in their regions. The company has maintained relationships with the majority of these farmers throughout this period - even in challenging regions like the DRC, Myanmar, and East Timor - providing reliable, sustainable income. This financial security enables farmers to make necessary investments in climate-friendly methods.

Independent Research Validation
Research by the nova-Institute confirms that Wakuli’s regenerative model results in emissions of just 0.30–0.60 kg CO₂ per kg of green coffee - a reduction of 57–89% compared to conventional agriculture. Some partner farms even achieve net-negative emissions through carbon sequestration in trees and soil.

This reduction is achieved by eliminating synthetic fertilizers, implementing shade-grown agroforestry, restoring soil health through organic management, and minimizing pesticide use. These practices are only possible because farmers have the financial runway to invest in long-term soil health rather than maximizing short-term yields.

Proven Impact on the Ground
Years of investment have allowed Wakuli to scale specialty coffee in Mbinga (Southern Tanzania). Where premium coffee was previously unattainable, it now fetches the highest prices ever paid to farmers in the region (33% above the highest local alternative).

In Uganda, Wakuli introduced scalable specialty robusta production with partners in the south. Together with GIZ, the German development agency, they are implementing an 18-month ‘Living Income Project,’ mapping farmer incomes and testing improvement strategies through diversification, quality enhancement, and sustainable scaling.

Note to editors: The full verification report by the nova-Institute is available upon request.

For more information: Lukas Grosfeld T: +31 6 18 59 41 63 E: lukas@wakuli.com

About Wakuli Founded in 2019 by Yorick Bruins and Lukas Grosfeld, Wakuli’s mission is to put farmers in control and end exploitation in the coffee industry. Starting as an online subscription brand, the company opened its first physical coffee bar in September 2022. Today, Wakuli operates 20 coffee bars across the Netherlands while continuing its rapid online growth. The synergy between physical and digital channels creates a flywheel effect: coffee bars introduce consumers to specialty coffee and Wakuli’s mission, making high-quality coffee accessible to those who might not visit traditional specialty roasters. Wakuli aims for all its 14 partners to be well advanced in regenerative agricultural practices by 2027, working alongside international development organizations to achieve this.

About ECBF The European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF), launched in 2020, is the first venture fund exclusively dedicated to accelerating the shift from a fossil-based to a bio-based circular economy. With €300 million raised, ECBF invests in growth-stage companies across sectors like agtech, food & nutrition, industrial biotech and bio-based materials. ECBF screens investments for highest ESG criteria, aligning with European environmental goals. The fund combines financial support with industry expertise to foster innovation and sustainability in Europe's bioeconomy sector. For more information, please visit www.ecbf.vc.

Press contact | ECBF Management GmbH
Cornelia Mann | pr@ecbf.vc| +49.160.892.774.4