Why we invested: Imperia

Since the rise of the internet, global trade has surged, now accounting for more than half of the world’s GDP. While globalisation has fuelled economic growth, it has also intensified competition and increased supply chain complexity. Major companies like Apple now manage complex supply chains involving thousands of suppliers across numerous countries. As supply chain networks grow in scale, factors such as rising raw material costs, tariffs, and other ongoing disruptions have made cost optimisation a top priority for businesses of all sizes, not just industry giants.

Most products rely on multiple globally sourced materials, making supply chain planning an intricate challenge. Companies struggle with fundamental questions: How much of each subcomponent should we order? From which providers? How do we optimise inventory levels? Answering these in real time is impossible when relying on spreadsheets and disconnected data sources.

Imperia SCM solves this problem. Its SaaS platform centralises data, enhances demand forecasting, and links insights to actionable procurement and production plans. Instead of spending excessive time reconciling fragmented data, businesses can now adjust their supply chain planning in seconds. For example, an account executive receiving a last-minute order can instantly check stock levels, assess the impact on existing commitments, and make an informed decision—all within Imperia’s platform.

This investment marks BPI’s first in Spain, a market we see as a promising hub for VC-backed innovation. Imperia aligns with our global strategy of backing scalable, AI-driven tech solutions that modernise traditional industries, and supply chain management is primed for transformation. Here’s why we partnered with the founders Álvaro, José Tomás, and Sergio:

1. A team with deep market expertise

Before launching Imperia, Álvaro and José Tomás spent years as supply chain management consultants at Deloitte. They experienced first-hand how companies—particularly those in the mid-market— lacked flexible, easy-to-use solutions tailored to their budgets and operational needs. Recognising this gap, they partnered with Sergio and set out to build a platform that makes sophisticated supply chain planning accessible to businesses of all sizes.

2. A modular solution that scales

Imperia’s platform is designed for flexibility. Companies can start with a simple core system and gradually expand its functionality over time through a plug-in marketplace. Unlike traditional SCM tools that require extensive customisation and 6-12 months of onboarding, Imperia delivers measurable value in as little as two months.

3. A massive, underpenetrated market

The global supply chain management software market is projected to exceed $20B by 2025, yet penetration remains low—particularly among SMEs, where spreadsheets still dominate, leading to inefficiencies, errors, and operational delays. However, inflation and supply chain disruptions, such as COVID-19, the Suez Canal blockage, and rising tariffs, are forcing companies to prioritise digitisation. According to Gartner, more than 50% of chief supply chain officers plan to invest in automation within the next two years. Imperia is uniquely positioned to be a key enabler of this transition.

4. Proven customer impact

Customer interviews reinforced Imperia’s effectiveness, the most significant impact being revenue growth. SMEs typically fail to fulfil 10% of their orders due to timing or quantity issues. Clients like Almond Laboratories, have improved their order fulfilment rates from 90% to over 97% with Imperia.

Larger enterprises—including Siemens Energy, Noel Alimentaria, and Faes Farma—have also chosen Imperia over incumbent enterprise solutions, proving its versatility and scalability across different company sizes.