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]
As of 2026, Personio serves over 15,000 customers, primarily organisations with 50 to 5,000 employees across Europe and other regions.[3] The company has been described in business and industry publications as one of the faster-growing software providers in the European HR technology sector and as a privately held technology company that has reached “unicorn” status.
Company Overview
Type
Private
Industry
Software (HR Technology, SaaS)
Founded
2015
Founders
Hanno Renner, Jonas Rieke, Roman Schumacher, Arseniy Vershinin
Head Office
Munich, Germany
Areas Served
Europe and worldwide
Key People
Hanno Renner (CEO)
Employees
~1,800 (2025)
Offices
Munich, Berlin, London, Barcelona, Madrid, Dublin, Amsterdam, New York
Products
HR & Payroll management software (cloud-based)
Products and services
Personio offers a cloud-based human resources management platform designed for organisations with 10 to 5,000 employees.[4] The company's software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution encompasses several integrated modules:[5]
Core HR: Centralised employee data management, document handling, and workflow automation capabilities. This component allows organisations to maintain digital employee records, manage documentation, and streamline administrative processes. The system enables employees to access and update their own information through self-service functionality.
Payroll: Personio offers automated payroll processing and compliance management capabilities. The payroll functionality includes built-in compliance features that validate inputs, generate payslips, and handle communications with authorities and social insurance providers. Personio Payroll is primarily available for companies operating in Germany, while international customers can integrate with external payroll providers.[6]
Recruiting: The recruiting module includes applicant tracking, onboarding processes, and talent management features. The system integrates with job boards to facilitate vacancy posting and candidate management, enabling organisations to streamline hiring workflows and coordinate onboarding procedures.[7]
Time & Attendance: The Time & Attendance module provides tools for absence tracking, leave management, and work scheduling. The system supports project-based time tracking, allowing employees to log hours against specific tasks and generating consistent attendance data for reporting and compliance.[8]
Integrations: Personio provides an API and marketplace that allows organisations to connect the platform with other business applications, including payroll systems, accounting packages, calendar applications, and single sign-on providers.[9]
Data Protection and Compliance
Personio has implemented data protection measures aligned with European regulatory requirements and is designed to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).[10] The company maintains ISO 27001 certification, validated through independent third-party audits conducted annually.[11]
To enhance security and compliance, Personio uses encryption for customer data and operates ISO/IEC 27001-certified servers hosted in the EU/EEA, applying regulated access controls to prevent unauthorised data disclosure.[12] Personio also holds memberships with industry organisations such as the Society for Data Protection and Data Security e.V., the Alliance for Cyber Security, and Bitkom e.V.[13]
Multi-Country Architecture
Personio's platform architecture supports organisations operating across multiple European jurisdictions, enabling businesses to manage employees in different countries while maintaining compliance with local requirements.[14] The system accommodates various employment frameworks, including European Union employment directives and country-specific labour regulations.
The platform addresses compliance challenges related to payroll processing, taxation, and employment law across different jurisdictions by supporting country-specific requirements for payroll calculations, mandatory deductions, and reporting obligations.[15] This approach is intended to help businesses navigate complex legal environments while maintaining regulatory compliance in each jurisdiction.
History
Personio was founded in 2015 by Hanno Renner, Ignaz Forstmeier, Roman Schumacher and Arseniy Vershinin, alumni of the Technical University of Munich.[16] 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.[17][18]
Personio's software is provided on a subscription basis and is designed to simplify or automate processes in human resource management and payroll.[19]
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.[20] 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.[21][22]
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.[23] 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.[24]
By 2023, Personio had established offices in Munich (headquarters), Madrid, London, Dublin, Amsterdam, Berlin and other hubs, serving thousands of customers across Europe.[25] 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.[26][27]
In 2023, Personio relocated to a larger, more sustainable office space in Berlin to accommodate its growing team in the German capital.[28] 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.[29]
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.[30] The rebrand included a new logo, colour palette and interface, as well as features such as customisable branding and an AI-powered Personio Assistant.[31]
The company has maintained its position as one of Europe's most valuable HR technology companies, with its last valuation at $8.5 billion from the 2022 funding round still standing.[32]
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.[33] 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.[34] The company has also been highlighted in growth rankings such as the Financial Times’ FT1000 list of Europe’s fastest-growing companies.[35]
The company’s co-founder and CEO, Hanno Renner, has been recognised for his entrepreneurial achievements, including profiles and honours from business media.[36] He has also received national-level recognition in Germany’s startup scene, reflecting Personio’s rise within the European tech ecosystem.[37]
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.[38] The company is frequently described as one of Europe’s leading HR SaaS platforms for organisations with 50 to 5,000 employees, with notable adoption in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the UK and Spain.[39]
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.[40] Commentators have cited Personio as one of Europe’s SaaS success stories and a potential future public-market contender.[41]
Workplace Culture and Employment Impact
Personio has been recognised for its workplace practices and culture, including DEI initiatives and internal programmes focused on inclusion.[42] The company has also been listed among the Financial Times’ Diversity Leaders in Europe, which recognises organisations with strong inclusive workplace cultures.[43]
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.[44] This expansion has had a particular impact in Munich, where the company maintains its headquarters, and in Dublin, which it has developed into an international business and engineering hub with local hiring initiatives.[45]
Customer Impact
Independent research and customer case studies have documented the operational benefits that organisations report after implementing Personio's software, particularly in terms of reduced manual work and faster HR processes.[46] According to published success stories, SMEs using Personio's platform have reported efficiency improvements in HR administrative processes, with some organisations citing time savings of up to 60% in routine HR tasks.[47]
The company's focus on automating HR workflows has aligned with broader digital transformation initiatives within European SMEs, particularly as these organisations adapted to remote and hybrid work models following the COVID-19 pandemic.[48]
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