Volta, a startup with dual headquarters in Milan and Paris, has successfully secured a €6 million pre-seed round to develop a vertical software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform focused on B2B sales. This significant funding marks the largest pre-seed round for an Italian startup, demonstrating the confidence investors have in Volta's innovative approach to transforming the B2B sales landscape.

In essence, Volta's platform is designed to be the B2B equivalent of Shopify, the e-commerce giant that has revolutionized online consumer sales. While Shopify offers a B2B commerce platform, Volta believes there is significant value in creating a company specifically focused on B2B transactions. This focus will enable Volta to cater more effectively to the unique needs of midsize wholesale and distribution companies in Europe, which still heavily rely on manual order processing and paper catalogs.

According to Volta, these companies often struggle with managing their catalogs, particularly when dealing with multiple versions and pricing structures for different clients. Volta's platform aims to simplify this process by allowing companies to upload their existing catalogs, manage customer profiles, and track negotiations and orders in a single, integrated interface. The platform will also ensure that pricing and inventory data remain in sync with the company's enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

Volta's co-founder and co-CEO, Paul Guillemin, emphasized the significant gap between B2C and B2B operations, stating that "the B2C sector has evolved rapidly, with digital platforms replacing paper catalogs and delivering integrated e-commerce solutions. Meanwhile, B2B operations have lagged nearly 15 years behind, still bogged down by outdated, manual processes." Volta's platform seeks to bridge this gap by providing a modern, digital solution for B2B sales.

In the future, Volta envisions expanding its platform to include additional features, such as logistics integrations and financing options. This will enable midsize wholesale and distribution companies to further streamline their operations and improve their overall efficiency.

The founding team's experience and track record played a significant role in securing the €6 million pre-seed round. Guillemin previously founded Fretlink, a road freight transport startup, while Mario Parteli, the other co-founder and co-CEO, has 15 years of experience in the tech industry, including founding Abiby, a subscription box company. The duo is determined to achieve their first major breakthrough with Volta.

The pre-seed round was led by Emblem, a relatively new European VC firm, with participation from other funds and dozens of angel investors, including Robin Capital, Founders Future, Sequoia, and a16z through their scout programs, as well as investment firms associated with the Berlusconi and Agnelli families.

As Volta continues to develop its innovative platform, it is likely to have a significant impact on the B2B sales landscape in Europe, driving efficiency, and modernization in the sector. With its strong founding team and substantial funding, Volta is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious goals and revolutionize the way midsize wholesale and distribution companies operate.