Business software provider Visma has returned on a shopping spree to Spain, ten months after acquiring Holded. In just one week the Norwegian company has acquired two business solutions that consolidate its presence in our country. The first was the online accountancy and tax software for freelancers Declarando, and six days later saw the acquisition of Woffu, a provider of time optimisation and time control software.

Declarando arrived on the scene in 2016 with its proposal that combines accountancy software technology and an expert team of tax lawyers. The platform has been specifically designed to simplify invoicing, accounting, taxes and financial control for the self-employed.

Based in Castellón, Declarando will continue to operate as an independent company, with its founders, Marta Zaragozá, Juanjo Traver and Vicente Solsona, at the helm. Sabadell Venture Capital, Bankinter, Encomenda VC and JME, which contributed 2.7 million euros in previous phases, will continue as shareholders.

Simplified financial control
SME director at Visma, Ari-Pekka Salovaara, said the following about Declarando, “Their efforts to simplify the financial control of Spanish freelancers will fit right in with Visma’s mission to be a trusted partner for European entrepreneurs. We will learn a lot from each other, and at the end of the day it is the customers who will benefit.”

Marta Zaragozá, for her part, CEO of Declarando, explained, “In less than five years we are proud to say that we have helped our customers save over 50 million euros. But this is only the beginning for us. By joining Visma, we can invest in the team and technology that will facilitate the autonomy and peace of mind of our community of freelancers.”

Time optimisation
The second acquisition by Visma is Woffu, founded in 2015 with headquarters in Barcelona, and which helps companies to save 85% in management costs by optimising time management and reducing absences by 20%. 130,000 employees at the company’s 1,500 customers currently use its solution to optimise their time, request leave, manage absences and comply with time control regulations.

This acquisition allows Woffu to continue working to respond to the needs of its customers on time-related matters, and they will also benefit from Visma’s international network, expertise and complementary products. The Catalan company will continue to operate as an independent company with its own brand and 55 staff members. The company’s founders, Miguel Fresneda and Víctor Pérez, will remain in charge.

Business-critical tasks
Ari-Pekka Salovaara explained what Woffu brings to the group, “Woffu’s solution is used to complete business-critical HR tasks, making it an essential component of Visma’s offering in Spain. We look forward to learning a lot from Woffu, while sharing our knowledge and resources to make this partnership bloom.”

Miguel Fresneda, who is facing the new stage with enthusiasm and commitment, said, “Visma is generating value through strategic acquisitions, whilst maintaining the company culture and team intact. With the help of Visma we are convinced we can deliver on our ambitious business plan. The opportunities are huge thanks to Visma’s know-how and the resources at our disposal in its group.”

^{Photo: Visma, Woffu}