Just one year after launching, Jet HR, the startup founded by Marco Ogliengo and Francesco Scalambrino to streamline employee management and reduce workplace bureaucracy, has closed a €12 million seed round, bringing its total funding to €16.7 million.
Leading the round is the international venture capital firm Picus Capital, which brings both capital and deep expertise in the payroll and HR sectors, having previously invested in multiple unicorns within this space.
“We see tremendous potential in AI-powered automation to revolutionize the €4 billion Italian payroll market, particularly given the current appetite for highly service-oriented solutions. We are excited to continue supporting Jet HR as a pioneer in AI-driven payroll management solutions,” said Robin Godenrath, Founding Partner & Managing Director of Picus Capital.
Existing investors Exor Ventures and Italian Founders Fund (IFF) increased their stakes, joined by key industry leaders aligned with Jet HR’s vision. Notable new investors include:
Diego Piacentini, a former Big Tech executive and Italy’s Digital Agenda Commissioner;
David Clarke, former CTO of Workday, the world’s largest HR company;
Tony Jamous, founder of payroll unicorn Oyster HR; and
Felix Blossier, founder of the French accounting unicorn Pennylane.
Also participating were prominent industrial families, such as Benetton, Berlusconi, and Moratti, via their investment vehicles, continuing their support from Jet HR’s pre-seed round.
The funding will enable Jet HR to expand its workforce, currently 70 employees strong, and accelerate platform development. The company has already ranked among the top 10% of fastest-growing SaaS (Software as a Service) businesses globally, according to the ChartMogul SaaS Growth Report.
Jet HR plans to launch new features, including the ability to manage freelance professionals and contractors alongside traditional employees. This innovation will allow businesses to ensure timely and transparent payments for freelancers while maintaining a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of their entire workforce and associated costs.
“It’s clear we’re on the right path,” said Marco Ogliengo, CEO of Jet HR. “In addition to the hundreds of satisfied customers and the backing of leading Italian investors, we now have the support of an international powerhouse like Picus Capital. Picus’s deep knowledge of payroll and HR markets, having invested in numerous unicorns in this space, is a tremendous asset.”
Francesco Scalambrino, co-founder and Product Lead of Jet HR, added: “With the confidence of our investors and these new resources, we will continue to develop critical new features and integrations that deliver even greater value to our customers.”
Jet HR is positioned to redefine the payroll and HR landscape with its AI-driven solutions, and this latest funding round further solidifies its leadership in the space.