Skello raises 200 million euros from Bridgepoint, targeting European leadership in HR software for field professions, with a focus on AI and external growth.
Bridgepoint invests 200 million euros in Skello, which wants to become European champion of HR management software. This round marks the fund’s entry into the capital of the French company, founded ten years ago, of which it becomes the reference minority shareholder. Historical investors, Partech and XAnge, have also reinvested alongside the founders and the management team.
European ambition and rapid growth
“This is a strong signal in a market context where financing is more demanding,” rejoices Quitterie Mathelin-Moreaux, co-founder of Skello. “This operation validates a healthy economic model and our ability to grow. It is a sign of confidence for the future.” The operation was even welcomed by Emmanuel Macron, who saw it on LinkedIn as “a great operation for French tech, for women”.
Skello generates over €50 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and achieved profitability last year. The company boasts 30,000 corporate clients, including the Bertrand Group, Accor, Big Mamma, Krys, Optic 2000, Super U and Intermarché, showing 40% growth and planning 100 hires within a year. It has 400 people spread between Paris, Lille and Barcelona. Already present in Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Belgium, it now wants to accelerate in Southern and Northern Europe, also relying on acquisitions: four or five targets have already been identified.
“The objective is to create a European leader in human resources management for field professions,” summarizes Jean-Baptiste Salvin, partner at Bridgepoint. The market is vast: in France, around 12 million people work in hotels, restaurants, mass distribution or industry, accustomed to staggered hours and high turnover. On a European scale, these field professions represent nearly 55% of workers.
Investing in AI and new features
The potential remains largely untapped: more than three quarters of companies still organize their teams’ schedules with an Excel file or a simple piece of paper. “We have a boulevard to equip these field teams,” emphasizes Emmanuelle Fauchier-Magnan, co-founder. Skello’s software integrates five layers of regulation to determine working time and prepare payroll (European, French, collective agreement, company agreements, employment contracts), which distinguishes it from competitors like Combo, half the size, from players specializing in catering (Mapal, Toast) or in payroll (Factorial).
A significant part of the 200 million will be devoted to artificial intelligence, to develop recommendations based on the volume of data collected (450 million planned slots). For three months, Skello has been offering companies the best replacement matches in the event of an employee’s absence, a tool already adopted by half of its clients. The company also intends to continue its external growth, drawing inspiration from the success of Doctolib, while maintaining its profitability.
