HR Tech Startup become.1 Secures €3.3 Million in Seed Funding for Employee Benefits Platform
HR tech startup become.1 has successfully raised €3.3 million in seed funding to enhance its innovative employee benefits platform. The funding round was led by D11Z.Ventures, with contributions from Haufe Group Ventures, the Start-up BW Innovation Fund managed by MBG Baden-Württemberg, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), and notable angel investors including Matthias Allmendinger (Taxdoo), Sebastian Koch (formerly of KPMG), and Maru Winnacker (Urania Ventures). The partnership with Haufe Group Ventures adds strategic expertise from the corporate services sector.
This funding will enable become.1 to expand its product offerings and facilitate international growth, helping companies across Europe retain employees through tailored benefits.
In today’s environment of increasing skill shortages, attracting new talent is not enough; companies must also focus on retaining their current workforce. While employee benefits are intended to aid in retention, many employees do not fully utilize these offerings. In Germany, less than half of employees regularly take advantage of available benefits, often due to a misalignment with their individual needs.
“Our all-in-one digital platform minimizes effort for employers while maximizing flexibility for employees,” stated Friedrich Villhauer, Co-CEO of become.1. Co-CEO David Wambsganss added, “We help companies strengthen their position by providing the right benefits, with utilization rates exceeding 90%.”
D11Z.Ventures emphasized that become.1’s platform sets new benchmarks in employee benefits management. “Our flexible solution significantly reduces the administrative burden for both employers and employees while ensuring 100% tax compliance,” said Jan Ludwig, Investment Manager at D11Z.Ventures.
As the demand for flexible employee benefits grows, companies must tailor their offerings accordingly. “The right benefits are now essential, not just an add-on,” noted Jasper Roll, Managing Director at Haufe Group Ventures. “We believe become.1 provides the ideal solution to meet this challenge.”
Since its launch in 2019, become.1 has gained hundreds of clients in Germany, including prominent firms like Hypoport and Eurofins Genomics. The platform allows employees to access a monthly budget for a variety of benefits tailored to their personal needs, from transportation costs to childcare services.
Designed to minimize administrative processes, the platform integrates seamlessly with existing Human Resource Management (HRM) systems. become.1 aims to make employee benefits more accessible and effective for companies in Germany and across Europe.
With a leadership team composed of experts in tax consulting and technology, including Friedrich Villhauer, David Wambsganss, CPO Falko Zühlke, and CTO Daniel Eberl, become.1 is well-positioned for continued growth in the competitive employee benefits sector, driving innovation to attract and retain talent.
