News - April, 2021

Cipio Partners invests in La Ruche Qui Dit Oui!

Cipio Partners invests in « La Ruche Qui Dit Oui ! » the iconic leader of the farm-to-the-table movement in Europe.

Launched in 2010, « La Ruche Qui Dit Oui ! » is an innovative online food marketplace, that enables producers to sell their ultra-fresh products directly to local consumers at a fair price. The online marketplace is supported by a large physical network of La Ruche hosts – passionate women and men who serve as the conduit – connecting famers with consumers at local produce collection points, known by the community as ‘Ruches’ or ‘weekly Assemblies’.

Since its foundation in France, the company has expanded into Belgium, Spain, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Today, La Ruche Qui Dit Oui ! serves as the connection between over 10,000 producers, 1,000 active assemblies and 80,000 monthly active customers. In addition, it has established « La Ruche a la Maison », a grocery delivery service, and has started building a network of small grocery stores. Sales have doubled during the last year and reached a triple digit million Euro amount.
“The pandemic has certainly strengthened the awareness of people for healthy living and sustainable agriculture, but this changed consumer attitude is here to stay. Our culture is to think differently and to combine traditional farm products with the convenience of modern ecommerce.” says CEO Grégoire de Tilly. 
“The online grocery market is in an investment frenzy these days. We have found La Ruche Qui Dit Oui !, with its pan-European presence, substantial revenues, deep roots with thousands of local producers and focus on the sourcing of quality products rather than the ever-faster delivery of the same commodities one of the most compelling investment propositions around.” comments Roland Dennert, Managing Partner of Cipio Partners on the investment.
As part of the transaction, several business angels and XAnge that led the first institutional round nine years ago will be selling shares in the company. The transaction has been advised by Clipperton Finance.

About La Ruche Qui Dit Oui
Founded in 2010, La Ruche Qui Dit Oui ! has developed an innovative marketplace solution to link consumers with local farmers. Through its 1,000 collections in 7 countries in Europe, La Ruche Qui Dit Oui ! allows more than 10,000 producers to sell directly and locally their products. Thanks to a merger with Le Comptoir Local in 2018, La Ruche Qui Dit Oui ! has also launched a home delivery solution in the Paris region. It has also opened its first store in March 2021 to give access to more customers to its local products.

Website: https://laruchequiditoui.fr/ https://boerenenburen.be/ https://marktschwaermer.de/ https://marktschwaermer.ch/ https://lacolmenaquedicesi.es/ https://alvearechedicesi.it/ https://boerenenburen.nl/ 

About Cipio Partners
Founded in 2003, Cipio Partners is a leading investment management and advisory firm for European Growth Capital & Minority Buyouts for Technology Companies. Cipio Partners targets European growth stage technology businesses with €10-50 million in revenue and makes initial investments ranging from €3-10 million. Cipio Partners operates from offices in Luxembourg and Munich.

Further information is available at www.cipiopartners.com