Softgarden

Softgarden e-recruiting GmbH operates as a specialized provider of human resources software solutions, catering primarily to mid-market and enterprise customers across Europe. The company was founded in 2003 in Saarbrücken, Germany, by Stefan Schüffler and Dominik Faber. Initially established to develop websites, the founders pivoted to focus entirely on creating applicant management software. Dominik Faber, a co-founder, studied computational linguistics and computer science before starting a digital media agency in 1999, which evolved into Softgarden.

The company's core offering is a SaaS-based Talent Acquisition Suite, designed to manage the entire digital recruitment process. This platform includes a comprehensive applicant tracking system (ATS) that streamlines workflows from application to hiring, aiming to significantly reduce the time-to-hire. Key features of the suite include tools for creating SEO-optimized career pages, a multi-posting solution to distribute job ads across more than 300 job boards, and an employee referral manager. A notable component is its Feedback Solution, which automates the collection of reviews from applicants and employees to enhance a company's employer brand. In 2021, Softgarden expanded its product portfolio by acquiring absence.io, integrating functionalities such as time tracking, absence management, and digital personnel file management. The business generates revenue through a subscription-based model for its software, with pricing tiers based on the number of active job postings and users.

Significant milestones in Softgarden's history include securing its first major customer, O2 Germany, in 2005 and merging with 1000jobboersen.de in 2014. The company received Series A funding in 2015 from investors including Cipio Partners and Neuhaus Partners. In 2018, Investcorp Technology Partners acquired the company, a move intended to drive expansion in the DACH region. Under Investcorp's ownership, Softgarden saw its software revenue grow by over 400% and expanded into new markets like France, Spain, and Poland. Subsequently, in June 2022, Grupa Pracuj, a leading HR technology platform in Central and Eastern Europe, acquired Softgarden for €118 million, although Softgarden continues to operate independently.

Keywords: applicant tracking system, talent acquisition suite, recruitment software, HR software, employer branding, SaaS, applicant management, employee referrals, career page optimization, job board integration, human resources technology, digital recruitment, candidate management, e-recruiting, talent management, HR process solutions, time tracking, absence management, multiposting, recruiting automation