In a nutshell
- Czech HR startup Sloneek secures €3.6M for further European expansion.
- Purple Ventures II are leading the late-seed round, joined by Venture to Future Fund and Vision Ventures.
Sloneek secures its largest investment to date
Sloneek, a Czech-Slovak startup that provides an innovative all-in-one HR solution, was founded in 2019 by Milan Rataj and Filip Lukac. Their tool aims to simplify daily HR tasks, from recruitment to offboarding, allowing managers and HR professionals in companies of all sizes to gain insights.
The current €3.6M late seed round, secured by Purple Ventures, Venture to Future Fund, and Vision Ventures, marks the largest investment in the startup to date. Previously, Sloneek raised €1M from Presto Ventures and Vision Ventures in 2022 and €350K from Vision Ventures in 2020.
“The investment comes at the perfect time. Companies are getting ready for a new era – over half of the productive workforce now consists of Millennials and Gen Z. This presents opportunities for more efficient work, but also risks if companies fail to adapt and manage this change. People are, without exaggeration, the alpha and omega of any economy’s success, and we have the chance to elevate how we work with them to a whole new level,” says Filip Lukac, CEO of Sloneek. “Our investors are well aware of our potential.”
The investment will support Sloneek in advancing its technological development. Next year, the company aims to launch a platform focused on in-depth human potential analysis using “people analytics,” along with improved reporting tools designed for HR managers, CEOs, and CFOs.
“Sloneek allows HR professionals to focus on developing people and leave administrative tasks to technology, thanks to its AI tools. Behind the project is a well-aligned team of experienced professionals with a clear vision, which we fully support,” explains Jan Davídek, Partner at Purple Ventures.
Expanding market presence in Europe
Sloneek is already active in a couple of international markets, including Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the US. Among their clients are brands as Lindt, Volvo, as well as Czech startups like Carvago and Kosik.
Sloneek aims to use this investment to not only enhance its technology but also strengthen its position in Western Europe, starting with Italy.
“Italy is a very interesting market for us. On the one hand, local companies have long been struggling with a talent shortage – something the government is trying to reverse with various incentives intended to bring people back to Italy. On the other hand, there is a thriving startup scene which has been successful in developing a value-added economy,” says Filip Lukac. “Once we prove ourselves in Italy, we will use that experience to expand into other Western markets.”