Lignufy has just secured a €40,000 investment from Czech Founders VC and a place in its Sherpa accelerator program to bring the platform to market and test it with its first customers.
“Forestry and timber are among the largest industries in Europe, yet there are virtually no digital tools for efficient trade,” says Lignufy’s CEO Adam Schroll. “Our goal is to create a single digital hub that connects forest owners, sawmills, and processors, enabling them to trade quickly, transparently, and at fair prices. And the potential reach is even wider—wholesalers, timber construction firms, roof framers, biomass plants, and many more players in the timber value chain can benefit from our solution.”
From Paper Price Lists to Real-Time Timber Trading
Lignufy’s marketplace covers the full spectrum of timber products—from raw logs and construction lumber to biomass. It matches supply and demand in real time, streamlines transactions, and helps maximize the use of raw materials.
The strongest interest so far comes from small forest owners, who often struggle to secure fair prices for their timber.
“The timber market is complex and highly fragmented,” says co-founder Martin Papp. “Logs, lumber, and biomass are often underutilized because hundreds of small and mid-sized players have no easy way to coordinate supply and demand in real time, price accurately, or find buyers. Lignufy solves this with an online marketplace that digitizes the entire trading process—from listing inventory and closing deals to coordinating logistics.”
Technology, AI, and Navigating EU Regulation
The founders envision a platform powered by AI to forecast demand, recommend optimal pricing, and automate deal-matching between buyers and sellers.
Regulation is also shaping the opportunity. The upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will increase documentation requirements and traceability in timber supply chains. Lignufy aims to offer a scalable compliance solution to help businesses meet these rules seamlessly.
Both founders bring deep industry expertise. Adam Schroll knows the timber industry “from the roots up”—from planting trees and harvesting to sawmill operations and trading. Martin Papp has years of experience in international timber trade and logistics.
Backed by Founders Who’ve Been There
Lignufy’s acceptance into Sherpa—an accelerator created and led by successful founders—gives the startup access to hands-on mentoring, expert guidance, and preparation for its next funding round.
“Ligufy is exactly the kind of venture we look for in Sherpa,” says Adam Bočev, head of the program. “It tackles a real, tangible problem in a massive traditional market where digital adoption is still in its infancy. With the right team and technology, they have the potential to build the new infrastructure for global timber trading.”
The project also attracted early backing from angel investor Lukáš Lískovec. The latest funding will support the launch of Lignufy’s first commercial version and initial traction.
By year-end, the company plans to open a pre-seed round to expand into financing solutions, integrated logistics, and optical tools for measuring timber quality and volume.
