Uvinum

Uvinum was a technology-centric marketplace for wine, spirits, and beers, founded in Barcelona in 2009 by Nico Bour, Albert García, and Albert López. Bour, with a family history in wine production and a background in internet companies like eDreams and Softonic, teamed up with technology experts García and López to launch the venture. The company's initial strategy mirrored a 'TripAdvisor for wine' model, focusing on aggregating a vast catalog and generating user and expert reviews to guide consumers. This operated on a classic affiliation basis, where Uvinum earned commissions by directing traffic to partner online stores.

Recognizing the limitations and low conversion rates of the affiliate model, the founders pivoted to a full marketplace structure. This crucial shift allowed Uvinum to control the entire transaction, integrating payments and significantly boosting conversion rates. The platform functioned as an aggregator, connecting customers with a network of over 150 distributors who handled the logistics of picking, packing, and shipping. This asset-light model enabled Uvinum to offer an extensive catalog of over 80,000 products to customers in 14 countries without holding physical inventory. Revenue was generated by intermediating sales on its platform, with the company reporting €10 million in turnover in 2016.

The company's growth was fueled by its robust, proprietary technology, built from scratch by its team. Uvinum secured over €2 million in funding across three rounds from notable investors in the Spanish tech scene. This financial backing supported its expansion, and by 2017, 70% of its sales originated from outside of Spain. In 2018, in a strategic move to enter the global e-commerce space, French beverage giant Pernod Ricard acquired Uvinum for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition was part of Pernod Ricard's broader strategy to strengthen its digital capabilities. Following the acquisition, Uvinum was eventually rebranded and integrated into Pernod Ricard's larger digital platform, now known as Drinks&Co.

Keywords: Uvinum, Nico Bour, Albert García, Albert López, wine marketplace, beverage e-commerce, online wine sales, spirits marketplace, beer e-commerce, Pernod Ricard, Drinks&Co, European startup, Barcelona tech, online liquor store, wine aggregator, affiliate model, digital beverage platform, e-commerce acquisition, wine recommendation engine, social commerce