The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in collaboration with private equity firms CEECAT Capital and Morphosis Capital, has taken a significant step to bolster the growth of La Cocos, a prominent Romanian food retailer.

This strategic move involves a €10 million equity investment from the EBRD, supplemented by additional equity financing from CEECAT Capital and Morphosis Capital. The combined investment will fuel the expansion of La Cocos’s retail network, enhancing its competitiveness and solidifying its position in Romania’s food retail sector.

Iulian Nica, the founder and CEO of La Cocos, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are proud of La Cocos’s impressive growth and the positive impact we’ve made in the communities we serve. This investment equips us with the financial resources and expertise needed to rapidly scale our operations, with plans to add a significant number of new locations in the next four years. Our shared vision is to reinforce our leadership in the domestic food retail market. I extend my gratitude to our investors for their trust and ongoing support as we work toward this ambitious goal.”

Tamas Nagy, Co-Head of EBRD Private Equity, shared his perspective: “We are excited to support La Cocos’s growth in Romania alongside our co-investors, Morphosis Capital and CEECAT Capital. The food retail sector is a key area of investment for the EBRD, and this opportunity allows us to contribute to the scaling of an innovative retail business in Romania’s dynamic market, led by a strong and reputable entrepreneur, Iulian Nica.”

Founded in 2014, La Cocos is a discount retailer with stores in Ploiesti and Bucharest. The company is known for its efficient product selection at competitive prices, catering to both individual consumers and small businesses.

CEECAT Capital, a leading private equity investor, focuses on high-growth markets in emerging Europe, targeting small and medium-sized enterprises and mid-cap companies with a strong emphasis on developmental impact.

Morphosis Capital is a founder-driven regional private equity fund that invests in high-growth companies, transforming them into national and regional leaders.

The EBRD continues to be a leading institutional investor in Romania, with over €11 billion invested in 547 projects across the country to date.