Andercore Raises $40M to Expand AI Industrial Trade Platform

Jan de Vries · 2026-02-11

Let's talk about something that's quietly transforming how the world's biggest industries operate. It's not flashy consumer tech—it's the backbone of global trade. And right now, a Berlin-based company called Andercore just got a massive vote of confidence to scale its vision. They've secured $40 million in fresh funding. That's a mix of equity and debt, and it brings their total raised to a cool $75 million. Think about that for a second. Investors are betting big on AI to fix the manual, messy world of industrial supply chains. ### What Does Andercore Actually Do? At its heart, Andercore is an AI platform that moves physical goods—think containers of building materials, energy components, and infrastructure supplies—across borders. Founder and CEO Philipp Andernach puts it simply: "Our system brings prediction, discipline, and speed to supply chains that still rely on manual work." It's a classic case of technology meeting a stubbornly old-school industry. The global wholesale market is enormous, handling tens of trillions in trade every year. Yet, much of it still runs on phone calls, spreadsheets, and fragmented processes. Andercore steps in as the digital middleman, but one powered by intelligent automation. ### Who's Backing This Vision? The investor list tells you this is serious. Long-term partners Atomico and Project A returned, joined by Inven Capital. They also secured institutional financing from major banks Commerzbank and KfW. This isn't just venture capital hype; it's a blend of tech and traditional finance seeing the same opportunity. Niklas Zennström, Founding Partner at Atomico, highlighted why they're convinced: "Andercore has built the technology, commercial strength, and execution capability to bring speed and scale to cross-border supply – starting where complexity is highest." ### The Bigger Trend in B2B Tech Andercore's raise isn't happening in a vacuum. Look around Europe, and you'll see a wave of funding for AI platforms that digitize complex, manual markets. - **tem**, a London energy transactions startup, secured a $75 million Series B. - **metiundo**, another Berlin firm digitizing utility data, closed a $48 million round. These companies are in adjacent spaces—energy, water, infrastructure. What they share is a focus on using AI to bring automation and efficiency to sectors that have been slow to change. Investors are clearly signaling a shift toward modernizing the industrial world's operating system. ### How Andercore's Model Works Founded in 2021, Andercore connects international suppliers with local buyers in heavy industries. They've built an asset-light model. Essentially, they use their AI to buy from global suppliers and sell to local buyers, handling the entire messy lifecycle in between. Their system orchestrates everything: - Real-time pricing and quoting - Quality assurance checks - Logistics and distribution - Embedded financing for transactions They started in core categories like infrastructure, energy, and building materials—a market representing over $240 billion in annual European demand alone. Today, thousands of large-scale transactions flow through their platform each month across seven European markets. ### Why This Matters for Global Trade The potential here is staggering. For buyers, it means faster quotes, better pricing, and one-stop execution for complex orders. For suppliers, it's a partner that generates consistent demand, handles operational headaches, and pays on time. Andernach says this new funding will let them "bring these capabilities to many more markets." It's about scaling a solution that makes global trade less of a logistical nightmare and more of a streamlined, predictable process. In a world where supply chain resilience is more critical than ever, platforms like Andercore aren't just convenient—they're becoming essential. They're proving that even the most traditional industries can be reinvented with the right technology and a clear vision for removing friction.