Plato raises $6.5M for AI-based ERP automation platform

Plato uses AI to future-proof the wholesale distributer industry and help companies increase efficiencies and scale their operations faster.

Berlin-based AI-driven ERP automation platform, Plato, has raised $6.5 million in Pre-Seed funding to help wholesale distributors navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing industry. Founded by Benedikt Nolte, Matthias Heinrich, and Oliver Birch, Plato emerged from Nolte’s family business, which was on the brink of closure due to fierce competition, outdated ERP systems, and inefficient sales processes. The founders sought to future-proof the wholesale sector by using AI to streamline operations and boost efficiency.

The wholesale industry is facing mounting pressures from economic crises, labor shortages, and the urgent need for digital transformation. Plato’s AI analyzes vast amounts of customer data, identifying sales opportunities and allowing teams to process up to five times more information. The platform automates routine tasks, saving sales teams up to 20% of their time and increasing customer-facing activities by 65%. This automation also enables companies to scale their operations with existing staff and onboard new employees more quickly.

Plato seamlessly integrates with existing ERP systems and offers two core features:

• Sales Intelligence: AI-driven recommendations for cross-selling, up-selling, and churn prevention.
• Workflow Automation: Automates tasks like quote and order creation, allowing sales teams to focus on growth.

“Our platform transforms how distributors engage with their data and automate their processes, unlocking new levels of profitability,” says Benedikt Nolte, CEO of Plato.

The round was led by Cherry Ventures, with support from the German government and high-profile C-level angels from companies such as Microsoft, SAP, NVIDIA, Celonis, Personio, Sennder, and Forto.

Jasper Masemann, Partner at Cherry Ventures, noted, “Plato’s product aligns with our core AI thesis of augmenting the modern workforce. Only Plato’s team had the deep industry knowledge and technical expertise to build a solution that gives wholesalers a competitive edge.”

Plato has already tripled its client base in the past year, onboarding several of Germany’s largest distributors. Early adopters, like Layer Grosshandel, have reported significant improvements in sales operations and reduced manual tasks, validating the platform’s effectiveness.

With the new funding, Plato plans to expand its team and scale its product to serve larger customers with thousands of sales representatives.