Skello Raises €200M as Founders Gain More Equity

JAKARTA — French technology startup Skello has set an unusual funding record in the software industry. The AI-based human resources management solutions provider secured €200 million, or about Rp3.4 trillion, in investment.

Interestingly, instead of being diluted like most startups, the founders’ ownership stakes increased after the funding round.

The round, led by Bridgepoint, is considered rare. Normally, every major funding round reduces founders’ equity. But Skello’s healthy financial position has allowed the company to retain stronger control. It is no longer dependent on cash injections just to survive.

According to reports from Tech Funding News and EU-Startups, Skello has been profitable since 2025. The company recorded annual recurring revenue (ARR) above €50 million this year. This is a crucial milestone for a business serving frontline teams, a segment of workers that is often overlooked by conventional digital tools.

Expansion Strategy and the Role of AI

The fresh capital will be used by Skello to expand aggressively across Europe. The company plans to acquire smaller players to consolidate the currently fragmented HR management market. Skello also plans to add 100 new staff throughout 2026, focused on technology, data, and sales.

The key to their success lies in Skello Assistant, an AI agent launched in 2025. The tool helps managers automatically detect overtime hours, fix payroll discrepancies, and create work schedules that comply with regulations. Its efficiency has proved tangible. The system is claimed to save managers up to 35 hours per month.

For technology players in Indonesia, Skello’s case offers a valuable lesson on the importance of reaching profitability before pursuing large-scale expansion.

When a company can stand on its own feet, it has much stronger bargaining power with investors. A healthy growth strategy allows founders to keep control of the company without losing the vision they built from the start.

Founded by Quitterie Mathelin-Moreaux and Emmanuelle Fauchier-Magnan in 2016, Skello now serves 30,000 businesses. Its daily users have surpassed 700,000 people, ranging from small restaurants to large retail chains such as Starbucks and Intermarché.

Now, the biggest challenge is proving it can dominate the cross-border European market, not just remain a homegrown champion.

Key Summary

• Skello raised €200 million, but the founders actually increased their ownership percentage in the company.
• The company has been profitable since 2025, with a focus on AI-based scheduling and HR software.
• The investment will be used to acquire competitors and hire 100 specialists to expand across Europe.