We are Plato

And we are on a mission to build the growth platform for distributors. Our AI software is developed with leading companies specifically for B2B vendors, making it powerful, flexible, and scalable to meet the needs of every wholesale distributor. Let's tackle this together!

Collage of images showing the people from the plato team in different locations

Our Story

Our motto: “By distributors for distributors.” My grandfather founded one of Germany's first press distribution companies after World War II to support the right to free speech. Since then, my family has been active in distribution, now engaged in various industries. At the breakfast table, it was always about wholesale distribution, and I have worked in our distribution companies from a young age.

In 2023, I realized the industry was in danger: Distributors were struggling to keep up with the pace of new technologies. So, I teamed up with my Co-Founders Matthias Heinrich (CPO) and Oliver Birch (CTO) to support our family business and the wholesale industry with new technologies, rather than being displaced by them.

After studying economics and computer science, we collaborated with universities like TU Munich, Stanford, and Cambridge, as well as leading data scientists, trade, and ERP experts, to develop a product designed to simplify sales and procurement for distributors. Since then, we have been developing the AI-powered software Plato, which guides the distribution industry into the future.

Benedikt Nolte, CEO

3 young men standing in front of a window wall

Plato Founders Matthias Heinrich (CPO), Benedikt Nolte (CEO), Oliver Birch (CTO)

Our Team

Benedikt Nolte

Founder and CEO

Benedikt Nolte is responsible for business development and financing at Plato. He has a family background in wholesale distribution and previously worked at McKinsey, Cherry Ventures and various technology companies.

Matthias Heinrich

Founder and CPO

Matthias Heinrich is responsible for product conception and development of Plato. He previously built up several startups at Rocket Internet and advised SMEs on digitalisation at Roland Berger.

Oliver Birch

Founder and CTO

Oliver Birch is responsible for the technical development of Plato. He is a serial founder who has built several startups since studying computer science at Cambridge and at the same time gained commercial expertise as an investor at Octopus Ventures.

Sophie Thomann

Founding Chief of Staff

Sophie Thomann is responsible for business development and customer success at Plato. She comes from a 6th generation wholesale family business and previously worked at McKinsey and Celonis.

Miguel Cabrera

Data & AI Lead

Miguel Cabrera is responsible for building Plato's AI platform. He previously worked as Germany's leading data scientist at Shopify and is familiar with ERP processes in retail from his time as a data scientist at New Yorker.

Francisca Blaauboer

Design

Francisca Blaauboer is responsible for product conception and design at Plato. She combines knowledge of product management and marketing from her positions at Rakuten, Rebuy and M&C Saatchi.

Nikolai Besschetnov

Backend

Nikolai Besschetnov is responsible for the technical development of the backend. He previously worked as a software developer at Rocket Internet and was the founding engineer at Germany's leading startup Billie.

Bob Lannon

Integration

Bob Lannon leads the ERP and data integration operations at Plato. Since his degree at the University of Pennsylvania, he worked across multiple startups in Germany and the US such as Mapbox, Blackfynn or FactoryPal and more.

Jonmer Carpio Dinó

Frontend

Jonmer Carpio Dinó is responsible for frontend software development at Plato. He has many years of experience as a leading full-stack developer at companies such as FactoryPal, Elinvar and Excellent Integrity Solutions.

Our Investors and Angels

Charles Songhurst

Ex General Manager

Microsoft

Charles Songhurst led global strategy at Microsoft for 9 years. He supports Plato in building partnerships in the ERP sector and developing a globally relevant software.

Michael Haufler

Chief Executive Officer

scireum

Michael Haufler is a key figure in the German wholesale software landscape, developing eShop and interface applications like OXOMI for B2B traders. He expands Plato's wholesale network and advises on expansion and product matters.

Mario Götze

Professional Athlete & Angel

Eintracht Frankfurt

Mario Götze is a professional footballer, football legend, and World Cup winner. He supports Plato with his entrepreneurial network and advises on PR and communication matters.

Fabian Q. Veit

Senior Vice President

Celonis

Fabian Q. Veit is part of the leadership team at Celonis and the CEO of make.com, specializing in process automation. He advises Plato on rethinking and automating wholesale processes.

Benedikt Schifferer

Lead AI Scientist

NVIDIA

Benedikt Schifferer is a leading AI expert at NVIDIA. He advises Plato on AI projects, developing recommendation systems, and applications in generative AI.

Hanno Renner

Chief Executive Officer

Personio

Hanno Renner is the founder and CEO of Personio, one of Germany's most successful B2B startups in the HR sector. He has known the founding team since their time at CDTM and supports them in scaling the organization.

Michael Wax

Chief Executive Officer

Forto

Michael Wax is the founder and CEO of Forto, a leading German B2B logistics startup. He has known the founding team since their time at CDTM and advises them with his expertise in B2B trade and logistics.

David Clarke

Ex Chief Technology Officer

Workday

David Clarke led Workday as CTO. He advises Plato on building scalable infrastructure, analyzing customer data, and implementing robust data security systems.

Julius Koehler

Managing Director

sennder

Julius Koehler is the founder and CEO of sennder, a leading German B2B logistics startup. He provides strategic advice to Plato, leveraging his sales experience and expertise in B2B trade and logistics.

Eva Spannagl

Chief Executive Officer

Climatos

Eva Spannagl is the founder and CEO of the solar startup Climatos and has invested in Plato as a Sequoia Scout. She advises Plato on new investment rounds and supports recruitment through her Femstory network.

Benedikt Sauter

Chief Executive Officer

Xentral

Benedikt Sauter is the founder and CEO of Xentral, an ERP system. He advises Plato on building a complex software system and implementing scalable ERP interfaces.

Patrick Thelen

Chief Executive Officer

Procuros

Patrick Thelen is the founder and CEO of Procuros, a software company developing ERP interfaces. He advises Plato on the ERP integration process and strategic organizational development.

Dr. Leopold von Schlenk-Barnsdorf

Founder

FamilienUnternehmerTUM

Dr. Leopold von Schlenk-Barnsdorf, founder of FamilienUnternehmerTUM, a leading German SME network, advises Plato on strategic partnerships with wholesale companies.

Prof Dr. Maximilian Lude

Managing Director

Philoneos

Dr. Maximilian Lude is the founder and managing director of Philoneos, a leading mid-sized consulting firm and professor at the Tomorrow University. He supports Plato through his network and advises the team on strategic matters.

Roxane Hassler

Director Product

Pitch

Before starting her own business, Roxane Hassler was head of product at the presentation software startup, Pitch. She supports Plato in design and product management to create simple and user-friendly software.

Our Partners and Supporters

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Benedikt Nolte
Co-founder and CEO

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I look forward to understanding your goals and challenges in a non-binding conversation and exploring the potential for your company together

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