Three years ago, Teamleader came under the wing of Visma. Meanwhile, founder Jeroen De Wit is still at the helm and Teamleader has acquired another company in its own name. What is the impact of Teamleader’s integration into Visma?
Jeroen De Wit founded Teamleader during his student days, and three years after the acquisition of his company by the Visma group he is still captain. “I’m still in my role as it was when we partnered with Visma”, he says. “And I’m still here because I enjoy being here.”
Entrepreneurs Club
De Wit describes Visma as a large club, with many entrepreneurs on board. “There are almost 200 companies in the Visma portfolio. We can learn a lot from them with Teamleader. In this environment, we are truly encouraged. Entrepreneurship thrives here. It’s different from a context where you have to implement orders from above in detail.”
read also
In Tandem to the Top: Visma Pedals towards Tour Success
Since the acquisition, Teamleader has become one of the larger companies in the extensive Visma group. It consists of a multitude of companies that together form an ecosystem. Marijn van Baar is responsible for Visma’s acquisition strategy in the Benelux. He clarifies: “At its core, Visma is a group centered around administrative software and backbone ERP functionality. Everything that happens around an invoice on one side and payroll processing on the other fits within that.”
A Match in the Ecosystem
“We are looking for solutions that fit within the ecosystem”, continues van Baar. “These can be generic tools around project management or time tracking, but also niche solutions aimed at specific vertical markets. Generally, Visma is interested in healthy and successful growing SaaS companies, for which the ecosystem can provide acceleration.”
Teamleader fit into that picture three years ago and still does. De Wit and the entire company benefit from the knowledge and support of the Visma group to grow both nationally and internationally.
Learning Together
“Visma has taught us not to underestimate the home market”, illustrates De Wit. “Teamleader is an international company with international growth, but it’s good to sometimes pay more attention to Belgium.”
Visma has taught us not to underestimate the home market.
Jeroen De Wit, oprichter & CEO Teamleader
Teamleader can also learn from the other companies in the group. De Wit gives an example: “E-invoicing is now coming to Belgium, but it has existed in Romania for much longer. A Romanian company within the group has already undergone the transition, and we can learn a lot from them.”
“The greatest added value Visma can offer is truly the network of all those companies”, adds van Baar. “They are in contact with each other. The synergy between all these enterprises is where value creation takes place.”
It is noticeable that Visma does not want to play too dominant a role and offers the companies under its umbrella a lot of freedom. There is even some internal competition here and there, although De Wit finds it not illogical that there is sometimes overlap. “I prefer some internal overlap and the opportunity to learn from each other, rather than competition with parties you never hear from. As a company, you try to deliver the best product, and it’s the customer who chooses. That is also Visma’s vision.”
Acquisition after the Acquisition
Entrepreneurs and enterprises within Visma remain relatively free to follow their instincts, if there is a business case for it. That was the case with the acquisition of Dexxter by Teamleader at the end of 2024. Dexxter was not absorbed into the Visma group alongside Teamleader but became a part of Teamleader itself.
read also
Teamleader acquires Dexxter and launches Teamleader One
“Sometimes it’s interesting to acquire something under the Visma flag, but sometimes it’s a better idea to strengthen a company within Visma”, says De Wit about this. “If everyone is convinced of a good idea, then it’s easy.”
With the acquisition, Teamleader has expanded its portfolio into a comprehensive offering. The original product evolved into Teamleader Focus, aimed at SMEs with up to about twenty employees. Larger companies can turn to Teamleader Orbit, and since the acquisition of Dexxter, there is also a solution for freelancers.
Europe and Peppol
The past three years have been a success formula for Teamleader, and there is still plenty of perspective. De Wit: “Our European DNA was not a special advantage in recent years, but it is now. We notice that companies increasingly want to work with European players.”
Our European DNA was not a special advantage in recent years, but it is now.
Jeroen De Wit, oprichter & CEO Teamleader
The impending obligation for e-invoicing also plays a role: “Generally speaking, only ten percent have completed their Peppol registration”, he says. “People are aware, but they are postponing the transition. We are certainly ready for it.”
Not an Investment Fund
Visma is pleased with Teamleader’s growth within the group. Van Baar: “Teamleader and Jeroen are a prime example for us of how we like to do things. Teamleader is a company that adds value to our ecosystem again.”
“Visma fundamentally differs from traditional investment funds”, he adds. “A financial investor goes for a transaction and buys with an eye on an exit. Visma is a player in the sector, looking for companies with added value for the ecosystem and long-term alignment. Visma does not have a resale in mind after an acquisition. With companies like Teamleader in the ecosystem, we are working on a long-term vision.”