Personio
German software company
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Personio is an intelligent HR platform and a market leader in developing cloud-based human resource (HR) management and payroll solutions for organisations across the EU and UK.[1] Headquartered in Munich, Personio enables organisations to simplify, automate, and optimise HR processes, including payroll, recruiting, onboarding, absence management, and employee data administration.[2]
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Hanno Renner, Jonas Rieke, Roman Schumacher, Arseniy Vershinin |
| Headquarters | Munich, Germany |
Number of locations | 8 |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Hanno Renner (CEO) |
| Products | HR management software |
Number of employees | ~1,800 (2025) |
| Website | personio.com |
As of 2024, Personio served over 12,000 customers, primarily mid-size companies across Europe and other regions.[3]
History
Personio was founded in 2015 by Hanno Renner, Ignaz Forstmeier, Roman Schumacher and Arseniy Vershinin, alumni of the Technical University of Munich.[4] The company emerged from a programme of the Center for Digital Technology and Management and initially targeted startups and SMEs, addressing a market gap for efficient, scalable HR solutions in Europe.[5][6]
Personio's software is provided on a subscription basis and is designed to simplify or automate processes in human resource management and payroll.[7]
By 2017, Personio had secured early funding including a seed round led by Global Founders Capital and a subsequent Series A round led by Northzone, which enabled the company to expand its product and customer base.[8] Personio's growth accelerated significantly with a $75 million Series C funding round in January 2020, led by Accel, followed by a $125 million Series D funding round in 2021 that valued the business at around $1.7 billion.[9][10]
In October 2021, Personio secured an additional $270 million in funding led by Greenoaks Capital Partners, with participation from Altimeter Capital and Alkeon Capital, at a valuation of approximately $6.3 billion.[11] In June 2022, the company announced a Series E extension of $200 million at a valuation of $8.5 billion to support Personio through challenging economic conditions and accelerate its European expansion.[12]
The company expanded its platform capabilities through both internal development and strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of Spanish payroll startup Rollbox in 2019 and employee experience solution back in 2022.[13][14]
By 2024, Personio had significantly increased its customer base, with particularly strong momentum in the mid-market segment focusing on businesses with 200–2,000 employees.[15]
In 2025, Personio unveiled a major rebranding as it celebrated its 10th anniversary, introducing a refreshed visual identity, redesigned product experience and the “Intelligent HR Platform” positioning to reflect its focus on meaningful, insight-driven HR work.[16]
Products and services
Personio is a cloud-based HR SaaS platform for companies with 10–5,000 employees, covering core HR, payroll, recruiting, and time & attendance. It also offers an API and marketplace for integrating with external tools like payroll systems, accounting software, and SSO providers.
Industry Recognition
Personio has received multiple awards from industry organisations and media outlets for its rapid growth and product innovation in cloud-based HR software.[17] In 2022, Personio was included in the Forbes Cloud 100 ranking of the world’s leading private cloud companies, underlining its status as one of Europe’s notable SaaS providers.[18] The company has also been highlighted in growth rankings such as the Financial Times’ FT1000 list of Europe’s fastest-growing companies.[19]
The company’s co-founder and CEO, Hanno Renner, has been recognised for his entrepreneurial achievements, including profiles and honours from business media.[20] He has also received national-level recognition in Germany’s startup scene, reflecting Personio’s rise within the European tech ecosystem.[21]
Market Position
As of 2026, Personio has established itself as a leading provider in the European HR software market for small, medium, and enterprise businesses, with particularly strong positions in German-speaking countries.[22][23]
Personio’s valuation of $8.5 billion, achieved in 2022 with the extension of its Series E funding, placed it among Europe’s more highly valued private technology companies.[24] Commentators have cited Personio as one of Europe’s SaaS success stories and a potential future public-market contender.[25]
Workplace Culture and Employment Impact
Personio has been recognised for its workplace practices and culture, including DEI initiatives and internal programmes focused on inclusion.[26] The company has also been listed among the Financial Times’ Diversity Leaders in Europe, which recognises organisations with strong inclusive workplace cultures.[27]
As an employer, Personio has contributed to job creation across its offices, growing its workforce to around 2,000 staff members by 2024 across cities including Munich, Dublin, Berlin, London, Madrid, Amsterdam and New York.[28]