Verdane acquires controlling stake in Cropster

AUSTRIA – Private equity firm Verdane has acquired a majority stake in an Austrian B-Corp-certified company and software developer of ESG features for the coffee industry, Cropster.

According to Verdane, the acquisition will help Cropster expand its software solutions and its international footprint, especially in specialty coffee markets in Europe and North America. The software company is also expected to make forays into Europe.

Cropster was established in 2008 and is known for its IoT (Internet of Things) software that helps green coffee traders, roasters, and operators enhance efficiency and consistency.

The company also helps companies reduce their environmental impact. The platform helps improve efficiency through all stages of the coffee value chain, including increased efficiency in raw material use, and reduction in waste and carbon dioxide emissions.

The Cropster software uses artificial intelligence during the roasting process to significantly reduce the amount of over-roasted bean waste.

The software is also said to help market participants navigate emerging regulatory environments, such as the EU’s forthcoming deforestation regulation, and assist them in managing administrative hurdles.

Cropster has entered into numerous partnerships with coffee companies in more than 100 countries worldwide including international coffeehouse giants like Blue Bottle and Starbucks.

Dominik Schwarz, the Verdane partner, welcomed the investment by saying, “Andreas, Norbert, and Martin, as well as the entire Cropster team, have demonstrated how to develop a successful software tool for the benefit of their customers and how to adapt it to the needs of more and more market participants along the value chain in the coffee market.”

“From day one, we have been impressed by the customer love, loyalty, and community Cropster has built in the global roaster and coffee ecosystem as well as the strong value-driven culture within the company.”

Andreas Idl, Cropster’s CEO and co-founder, also welcomed the acquisition. He expressed a mixture of excitement and optimism over the move, praising the private equity firm’s capitalization ability and track record of working the international market.

Idl reiterated the acquisition is a unique opportunity for the expansion and enhancement of its product offerings. He expressed his company’s commitment to fully leverage the opportunity.

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