Hambar, the online platform connecting local producers with consumers, announced that it secured a EUR 250,000 seed investment from regional venture capital fund Vest Ventures. The agreement was signed on October 29, shortly after the platform launched in Romania.
The financing will support the development of Hambar’s technology, expansion of its team, and acceleration of its go-to-market strategy.
The investment was made through the Business Acceleration Financial Instrument, co-financed by the European Union under the West Regional Program 2021-2027 and managed by the West Regional Development Agency.
“Romania has local producers who create outstanding products but don’t always have the resources or infrastructure to reach a wider audience,” Hambar co-founder and CEO Alin Șerban said. “The investment from Vest Ventures allows us to accelerate the technological development of our platform, providing producers with an accessible sales channel and the infrastructure they need to grow.”
Launched in October 2026, Hambar initially listed more than 250 Romanian producers and over 4,000 products across ten categories. Customers can order products from multiple suppliers through a single platform, while producers can present their businesses, process orders, and arrange payments and deliveries.
Hambar said it verifies producers at their premises and offers delivery throughout Romania and the European Union. Its ecosystem includes separate applications for shoppers and producers, as well as a desktop platform.
The transaction is also Vest Ventures’ first seed investment.
“What convinced us was the way Hambar combines cutting-edge technology with genuine service and a real connection to the world of local producers. Many platforms operate exclusively online, but Hambar goes all the way to the producer’s doorstep, visiting each one personally, and all the way to the buyer’s door,” said Cristobal Alonso, general partner and managing director at Vest Ventures.
Vest Ventures was established to invest in startups and early-stage companies in western Romania. It has a total budget of EUR 16.5 million and is operated by a consortium comprising Startup Wise Guys, Cowork Timișoara, Growceanu, and Iceberg Plus.
The fund provides financing, acceleration, and mentoring, with funding from the West Regional Program 2021-2027.
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