Katana Raises €35 Million in Series B Funding to Revolutionize ERP for Small- and Medium-Sized Manufacturers
The landscape of manufacturing has undergone a significant transformation with the rise of direct-to-consumer (D2C) production. This shift has led to smaller, local manufacturers, often referred to as ‘micro-manufacturers,’ eliminating many intermediaries traditionally necessary for producing goods.
"The rise in D2C manufacturing has driven a small manufacturing renaissance, giving consumers a wealth of options that reduce the hold of brands relying on mass production," explains Katana co-founder and CEO Kristjan Vilosius. "As manufacturing moves closer to the increasingly conscious consumer, brands that rely on local production and inventory are gaining market share. In short, the ‘made in China’ era is ending."
The emergence of modern technologies such as 3D printing and computer-aided laser cutters has enabled companies to produce goods on a smaller scale, away from centralized mass-production factories. Furthermore, online marketplaces, e-commerce software, and cloud computing have made it easier for businesses to control the entire production process, from manufacturing through sales.
Manufacturers already possess a tech stack of tools like e-commerce platforms, shipping tools, and accounting software. However, what’s missing is a centralized source-of-truth that streamlines information flow and minimizes manual data entry and human error.
Legacy Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software from companies like Netsuite and SAP are often geared toward larger businesses, making it essential for smaller manufacturers to have access to purpose-built solutions. "Supporting this new wave of manufacturers is critical – enterprise business suites come with hefty costs and a plethora of features that exceed the needs of small- to medium-sized businesses," says Vilosius.
The ERP space is notorious for poor user experience, user interface, and low customer satisfaction. Many small businesses opt for spreadsheets despite their limitations and potential for errors as they grow.
Founded in 2017 out of Tallinn, Estonia, Katana aims to revolutionize the ERP landscape for small- and medium-sized manufacturers. The platform boasts prebuilt integrations with numerous tools that a manufacturer might use, including e-commerce platforms (e.g., Shopify and WooCommerce), accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks and Xero), shipping, forecasting, CRM, and more.
Katana’s CEO emphasizes the need for modern ERP solutions: "We’re on a mission to provide small- and medium-sized manufacturers with the tools they need to succeed in today’s fast-paced market. Our platform is designed to be intuitive, flexible, and scalable, addressing the unique challenges these businesses face."
Katana has secured €35 million in Series B funding, which will be used to further develop its platform, expand its team, and increase its marketing efforts.
"We’re thrilled to have the support of our investors, who share our vision for a more efficient and effective manufacturing landscape," says Vilosius. "With this new investment, we’ll continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with ERP solutions, providing small- and medium-sized manufacturers with the tools they need to thrive."
As Katana continues on its mission to revolutionize ERP for small- and medium-sized manufacturers, it’s clear that the company is well-positioned to address the changing needs of this growing market.
Stay tuned for more updates from Katana as they continue to innovate and disrupt the ERP landscape. With their commitment to delivering intuitive, flexible, and scalable solutions, Katana is poised to make a significant impact on the manufacturing industry.
About Katana
Katana is an innovative Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform designed specifically for small- and medium-sized manufacturers. The company aims to provide a more efficient, effective, and user-friendly solution for managing production, inventory, and orders. With its prebuilt integrations and intuitive interface, Katana is revolutionizing the way manufacturers operate.
Learn More About Katana
Visit www.katana.co to discover how Katana’s ERP platform can help your business thrive.
Contact info@katana.co for more information or to schedule a demo.
