Meet the algrano family
full of passion about coffee and technology
algrano's journey so far...
While Gilles was working on development projects with Brazilian coffee growers, he realised that they needed an online tool to connect to their customers in global markets.
Pioneered by co-founders Gilles, Christian and Raphael, the project is selected for a startup programme in Chile. Six months later, the first beta version of the platform is developed and presented to 13 fairtrade cooperatives across Brazil.
The project is selected for the Startup Brazil programme. The team also welcomes Fabio - who develops the entire platform from scratch.
algrano is launched at World of Coffee in Gothenburg, Sweden. The platform scoops the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe's coveted IT & Tech Innovation Award.
Growers from Brazil, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Guatemala are already collaborating with, and selling their coffee to, roasters located in seven countries across Europe.
An experienced Board of Directors is established. Sabine joins the team to support the back office operation.
algrano community in numbers
Pictures
5200
Growers
497
Roasters
603
Countries
70
Meet the team
Gilles Brunner
Sourcing and Partnerships
Gilles studied international relations before moving into the coffee world working for a coffee merchant, based in Switzerland and Brazil. At algrano, Gilles is the growers and exporters main contact. As a Q-grader he understands all the coffees on algrano.
Raphael Studer
Finance and Sales
During his PhD in Economics Raphael published academic articles on the modeling of human well-being. He worked in energy trading and led the merger of two Swiss SMEs. At algrano, Raphael is in charge of investor relations and the point of contact for roasters.
Christian Burri
Product and Marketing
Christian has a background in digital media and physics. With these combined skills, he plans and manages the development of algrano’s online platform, and our marketing and communication activities. Before algrano, Christian worked for a Swiss consulting company based in Santiago, Chile.
Fabio Kuhn
Software developer
Fabio is a talented software developer from Basel who decided to settle down in Samaipata, high up in the mountains in Bolivia. Fabio joined algrano in late 2014 from his Bolivian outpost and he has been in charge of the platform development ever since.
Sabine Lanz
Administration, Logistics and Support
Before joining algrano, Sabine worked as a product and project manager for a Swiss electric bike company. With her extensive working experience she is in charge for administration, logistics as well as event organization and successfully supports the founders wherever needed.
Peter Lerch
Sourcing & Sales
Peter is the coffee veteran at algrano with 30 years’ experience in procurement, supply chain management, trading, quality assurance and as a business advisor. He is responsible for setting up the supply chain in new origins, for sales to customers and as the coach of the team.
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