HelloWork (formerly the RegionsJob group), announced today its buyout of Diplomeo – a platform dedicated to guidance in the field of higher education.
HelloWork expands its offering and its audience
As the leading digital player in the French employment and recruitment sector, HelloWork was previously highly active in the continuous education sector thanks to its MaFormation.fr contact platform (10 million annual visits and over 750,000 connections made in 2018).
The company has now decided to develop its operations and to turn its attentions to the student orientation market with its buyout of start-up Diplomeo, which specialises in connecting students/secondary school pupils and HE institutions. The platform, which has become the leading digital player in the field of higher education guidance, now lists over 46,000 training courses in France and is used by over 28% of undergraduates every year. Diplomeo has been a profitable company since it was launched, generating a turnover of €2.6M in 2018 (with 45 employees). The buyout will enable HelloWork to double its turnover in the training market, whilst this union of two fast-growing players (+45% in the case of Diplomeo and +40% for Maformation in 2018) will enable the group to aim for a medium-term turnover of €10M in the training sector.
Through its two divisions, HelloWork will now be able to offer a comprehensive range of services for all those in search of training, at any point in their lives, from choosing an initial training course or degree right through to in-service training as part of their professional development. HelloWork and Diplomeo are now in direct contact with secondary school pupils/students, those of working age, training centres and businesses – four vital and complementary populations that will help it to continue to innovate to promote lifelong learning and employment in the wider sense. The move is intended to provide the most comprehensive response to the key challenges presented by apprenticeships and sandwich training in France.
“The search for initial training is the first stage in an individual’s professional life, and we believe that it should be closely linked to the positions and the placement and job opportunities that companies are currently offering.
This investment in Diplomeo means that we are now able to support those of working age at all of the key stages in their professional lives, from choosing a HE institution, qualification and profession to choosing the companies they want to work for”, explains HelloWork President Jérôme Armbruster.
A move in keeping with HelloWork’s growth and diversification policy
The acquisition is very much in keeping with the HelloWork strategy for development through external growth announced in September 2018, with an investment capacity of €30 million (sourced from the company’s own equity and that of its shareholder, the Télégramme group) aimed at acquiring stakes in or buying out companies with significant potential in the digital human resources, employment and training sector.
This latest move follows the company’s acquisition of JobiJoba (job offer aggregator, CV Catcher software, and community job platform) several months ago, prior to which HelloWork had already acquired multi-channel broadcasting company Talentplug in 2014 (as part of a joint venture) and recruitment management software program Talent Detection in 2016, as well as acquiring stakes in the leading online player in the personal care services sector Aladom.fr/jemepropose.com and the Staffman platform in late 2018.
The development strategy adopted by HelloWork capitalises upon the talents and strengths of the start-ups it has acquired. As was the case with the JobiJoba buyout, the Diplomeo management team, consisting of Antoine Glikman, Charles Bret and Ludovic Lanthier, will therefore remain at the helm and has the resources required to ensure Diplomeo’s development.
“We are delighted to be embarking upon this new stage in our growth by joining forces with a major player in the French employment and training market”, Diplomeo co-founders Antoine Glikman and Charles Bret were pleased to announce.
“This move marks a key milestone in the HelloWork strategy for external growth announced several months ago and reinforces our investment in the field of training with a view to supporting students and all those of working age in their professional development”, explains HelloWork President Jérôme Armbruster.
