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holded, an ‘erp for small businesses’, raised €15m from elaia, lakestar, nauta and seedrocket

AVATAR Mike Butcher
Mike Butcher
Editor At Large
February 2, 2021
holded, an ‘erp for small businesses’, raised €15m from elaia, lakestar, nauta and seedrocket

Holded Secures €15 Million in Series B Funding

Holded, a company positioning itself as an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), has successfully closed a €15 million Series B funding round.

The investment was spearheaded by venture capital firm Elaia, with participation from Lakestar, Nauta Capital, and SeedRocket.

Comprehensive Business Management in a Single Platform

Holded provides SMEs with unified access to ERP functionalities. These include invoicing, accounting, sales, project management, inventory control, and Human Resources, all consolidated within a single dashboard.

To date, the platform has garnered a customer base of 80,000 businesses.

The newly acquired funds will be allocated towards expanding both the company’s technological capabilities and its business development teams.

Expanding Reach and Partnerships

Holded’s software is also utilized by accounting firms to facilitate the digitization of their operations and enable them to function as value-added resellers.

As a result of this funding, Holded will establish a new office location in Paris.

Addressing a Gap in the Market

According to co-founder Javi Fondevila, the core concept of centralizing all business operations into a single platform was recognized as highly beneficial.

He further stated that the primary reason this hadn't been achieved previously was the significant challenge of creating an intuitive, self-service ERP system specifically tailored for small businesses.

Elaia’s Perspective on Holded’s Innovation

Pauline Roux, a partner at Elaia, emphasized the substantial opportunity to develop solutions for small businesses.

She noted that traditional ERP solutions are often complex and modular, while SMEs require an integrated and user-friendly system due to their lack of specialized departments.

Roux highlighted that Holded distinguishes itself by being the first ERP she has encountered that operates without modules, lengthy implementation processes, or the need for external consultants, fundamentally transforming the user experience.

A Competitive ERP Landscape

The ERP startup sector is experiencing increased activity. In January, Xentral, a German company specializing in enterprise resource planning software for online small businesses, secured a $20 million Series A funding round.

This demonstrates a growing investor interest in innovative ERP solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of SMEs.

#holded#erp#small business#funding#elaia#lakestar

Mike Butcher

Mike Butcher: A Profile of a Leading Tech Voice

Mike Butcher, M.B.E., is a highly respected figure in the technology landscape. Previously serving as Editor-at-large for TechCrunch, his journalistic background includes contributions to prominent UK newspapers and magazines.

Recognition and Influence

Wired UK has recognized Butcher as one of the most influential individuals shaping European technology. His insights are frequently sought after on global stages.

He has been a speaker at prestigious events such as the World Economic Forum, Web Summit, and DLD, sharing his expertise with a diverse audience.

High-Profile Interviews

Throughout his career, Mike Butcher has conducted interviews with a remarkable array of prominent figures.

These include former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev, actor Kevin Spacey, model Lily Cole, Telegram founder Pavel Durov, and Wikipedia’s Jimmy Wales, alongside numerous other technology leaders and celebrities.

Broadcasting and Advisory Roles

Butcher is a frequent commentator on technology trends, regularly appearing as a broadcaster on major news networks.

He has provided analysis and commentary for BBC News, Sky News, CNBC, Channel 4, Al Jazeera, and Bloomberg.

His expertise extends to policy advising, having consulted with UK Prime Ministers and the Mayor of London regarding tech startup initiatives.

Additional Achievements and Initiatives

GQ magazine once identified him as one of the 100 Most Connected Men in the UK, highlighting his extensive network within the industry.

Mike Butcher is also the co-founder of several impactful organizations:

  • TheEuropas.com: A platform showcasing the Top 100 European startups.
  • Techfugees.com: A non-profit dedicated to supporting refugees through technology.
  • TechVets.co: An organization focused on assisting veterans with technology skills and careers.
  • Startup Coalition: A non-profit supporting the UK startup ecosystem.

Honors and Awards

In 2016, Mike Butcher was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

This recognition was bestowed upon him for his significant services to both the UK technology industry and the field of journalism.

Mike Butcher