HERO Software: Empowering Tradespeople to Combat Climate Change

In an unexpected twist of innovation, HERO Software, a startup initially aimed at combating climate change, has found a way to significantly benefit small tradespeople in the construction industry.

With a recent closure of a €40 million Series B financing round, HERO Software is poised for expansion across Europe.

The Genesis of HERO Software

The company’s inception is deeply rooted in the environmental aspirations of its co-founder, Dr. Michael Kessler. An ardent member of the Green Party with a PhD in solar energy, Kessler was focused on reducing carbon dioxide emissions. “I looked at the best way to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, such as via solar,” he shared.

The building sector in Germany, a major contributor to carbon emissions, emerged as a critical area for intervention. Kessler identified a significant bottleneck: the availability and efficiency of tradespeople needed to install solar cells and heat pumps.

HERO Software was thus born with the mission to facilitate the energy transition in the building sector by providing leads for tradespeople. However, it soon evolved into a comprehensive platform serving a broader range of trades, including plumbing, carpentry, and electrical services.

Transforming Tradespeople’s Workflow

Founded in Hanover in 2020 by Kessler and Philipp Lyding, HERO Software aims to streamline the workflow of trade business owners and employees. The platform encompasses everything from initial customer contact and project planning to on-site execution, invoicing, and payments. This holistic approach has garnered the platform 20,000 users in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland).

HERO Software’s comprehensive solution addresses a significant gap in the European market, which is less saturated compared to North American counterparts like Jobber and ServiceTitan.

These companies have raised substantial funding, reflecting the high demand for such platforms. HERO Software’s European competitors, like the German startup Plancraft, are also gaining traction, evidenced by Plancraft’s recent €12 million Series A round.

Strategic Expansion Plans

HERO Software’s latest funding round was led by Eight Roads Ventures, with participation from existing investor Cusp Capital. Lucile Cornet, partner at Eight Roads Ventures, emphasized the potential of vertical SaaS platforms like HERO to digitize and enhance entire industries sustainably.

With fresh capital, HERO Software is gearing up to expand into Poland, France, and the Netherlands. Kessler notes that countries like France are a few years behind Germany in terms of technology adoption in the trades sector. This presents a significant opportunity for HERO Software to introduce its innovative solutions and drive digital transformation across Europe.

HERO Software’s journey from a climate-focused startup to a pivotal player in the trades industry underscores the unexpected pathways innovation can take. By addressing the needs of tradespeople, HERO Software is not only enhancing business efficiency but also contributing to a broader environmental goal.

As it expands across Europe, HERO Software is set to further its impact, proving that the intersection of technology and sustainability can yield powerful results.