Haufe Group
Haufe Group is a German B2B provider of integrated business and workplace solutions combining content, software, and training, serving medium-to-large enterprises, SMBs, and HR/comプライアンス departments in DACH markets through brands such as Haufe-Lexware, Haufe Akademie, and Smartsteuer.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1951
- HeadquartersFreiburg, Germany
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Haufe Group does
Haufe Group is a privately held German B2B provider of integrated business and workplace solutions, operating since 1951 as Haufe Group SE, a European Aktiengesellschaft headquartered in Freiburg. The company combines three core service lines: content (including the Schäffer-Poeschel Verlag and Verlag für Controlling Wissen AG publishing houses), software (the Haufe-Lexware division covering HR management, business management, and accounting/tax software such as Smartsteuer), and training (Haufe Akademie, including the Haufe Compliance College digital compliance training solution). Its underlying technology stack includes web-based SaaS delivery, an e-invoicing system compliant with European standard EN 16931 supporting XRechnung and ZUGFeRD formats over PEPPOL and TraffiqX networks, and integrations with technology partners including SmartRecruiters (ATS), Salesforce (CRM), Oracle Eloqua (marketing automation), Econda (analytics), and Usercentrics (consent management). The Haufe Group Ventures arm operates as the company's innovation and startup engagement channel.
The company's revenue model blends recurring subscription software (Haufe-Lexware HR and business software), professional services and training delivery (Haufe Akademie and Compliance College), and content publishing. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated based on customer requirements and scope. Go-to-market is sales-led and enterprise-focused for HR, compliance, and business management software targeting medium-to-large enterprises, with a parallel SMB/self-serve motion for Lexware accounting and tax products. The horizontal segmentation approach serves B2B enterprises as the primary customer tier, with corporate HR and compliance departments as a dedicated buyer group.
Haufe Group operates primarily in the DACH region with regional offices across Freiburg, Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Frankfurt, and Karlsruhe, and wholly-owned subsidiaries in Spain (Haufe Group Software Solutions Spain S.L.) and Romania (Haufe Group Romania SRL). Distribution is multi-channel: direct enterprise sales through Haufe Service Center GmbH, online digital self-serve via company websites, and partnerships with educational institutions and technology providers. The company is led by CEO Birte Hackenjos (with the group since 1997, CEO since 2020) and CFO Harald Wagner (with the group since 2008, CFO since 2020), under Supervisory Board Chairman Alexander Laqua.
Haufe Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Haufe Group
- Legal name
- Haufe Group SE
- Website
- https://haufegroup.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1951
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Haufe Group is a German B2B provider of integrated business and workplace solutions combining content, software, and training, serving medium-to-large enterprises, SMBs, and HR/comプライアンス departments in DACH markets through brands such as Haufe-Lexware, Haufe Akademie, and Smartsteuer.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Haufe Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Business Management Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (51321), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- HR Compliance & Policy Administration Outsourcing (incl. regulatory reporting) (BPACAKAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Human Resources & Talent (SHRM/HRCI Recertification) (EDAAALAN), Managed Workplace Services (DaaS/Workplace-as-a-Service) (BPAEAIAA), Contract Administration Support (PO/Contract Compliance) (BPAAAJAE)
Keywords
Where Haufe Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Freiburg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices8 records
Markets served
Haufe Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Software Solutions: Revenue generated from software products including HR management, talent management, and business management software solutions. The company offers various software products under brands like Haufe Lexware.
- Training and Professional Services: Revenue from Haufe Akademie providing compliance training, awareness programs, and professional development services including the Compliance College digital solution.
- Content and Publishing: Revenue from publishing content including professional literature, guides, and reference materials for business and HR professionals.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Haufe Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Haufe Group provides integrated B2B business and workplace solutions combining content, software, and training services. Its portfolio spans HR and business management software (Haufe-Lexware), compliance training (Haufe Compliance College), tax preparation software (Smartsteuer), professional publishing (Schäffer-Poeschel Verlag, Verlag für Controlling Wissen AG), and training/consulting (Haufe Akademie, Semigator). The company primarily serves enterprises and SMBs in German-speaking markets with localised, regulation-focused solutions.
Product overview
Haufe Group is a B2B provider of integrated business and workplace solutions, operating as a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core platform encompasses content, software, and training services, with key product lines including Haufe-Lexware (HR and business software), Haufe Akademie (training and compliance education including Haufe Compliance College), Smartsteuer (tax software), and SmartRecruiters (applicant tracking). The portfolio also includes Haufe Group Ventures for innovation, the Haufe Group Careers Portal for recruitment, and publishing through Schäffer-Poeschel Verlag. The company is headquartered in Freiburg, Germany, and operates across multiple countries including Spain and Romania.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Haufe Compliance College: Integrated digital solution for compliance training from Haufe Akademie
- Haufe Akademie
- Haufe Group Ventures
- Smartsteuer
Products and services
- Haufe-Lexware
Companies that use Haufe Group
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Haufe Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Haufe Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- talentsconnect AGcoreJoint controller partnership for operating the Haufe Group careers portal (JobShop). talentsconnect is responsible for website processing, cookies for analytics/statistics, and the 'Remember job' function. The partnership enables digital recruitment infrastructure and candidate relationship management.
- SmartRecruiters GmbHcoreApplicant tracking system provider used for efficient application management and organizational implementation of the recruitment process. Haufe Group uses SmartRecruiters as a data processor under Art. 28 GDPR for their applicant management system with CV parsing functionality.
- Educational Institutions (Universities and Berufsschulen)minorPartnerships with universities and vocational schools for joint educational programs including apprenticeship offerings and Master's degree programs with company partners. Enables contact sharing with educational institutions for application processes.
- Haufe Group VenturesminorVenture arm of Haufe Group that develops innovative products and supports sustainable business ideas. Provides investment and support for startups and new business ventures.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Haufe Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Sage Group: UK-listed global provider of accounting, HR, and payroll software for SMBs. Comparable to Haufe-Lexware's SMB-focused accounting, payroll, and HR software offerings.
- Wolters Kluwer: Global provider of professional information, compliance, and regulatory content with strong DACH presence. Comparable to Haufe's publishing and compliance content arms (Schäffer-Poeschel, Compliance College).
- Workday: Global cloud enterprise platform for HR, finance, and talent management. Comparable at the enterprise tier of Haufe's HR and talent management software offerings, particularly for large German enterprises.
- LexisNexis (RELX): Global legal, regulatory, and compliance information provider. Comparable to Haufe's compliance content and risk-management offerings through its regulatory intelligence and professional publishing arms.
- SAP SuccessFactors: SAP's cloud HR and talent management suite with deep enterprise penetration in Germany. Directly comparable to Haufe's enterprise HR/talent management software offerings.
Others
- Springer Nature: Global academic and professional publisher with significant German operations. Comparable to Haufe's Schäffer-Poeschel Verlag and Verlag für Controlling Wissen AG publishing arms in professional reference content.
Regional players
- Springer Fachmedien (part of Springer Nature) / WEKA Media: WEKA Media is a German specialist publisher of professional reference works for HR, tax, compliance, and business topics. Closely comparable to Schäffer-Poeschel Verlag's niche professional publishing and to Haufe Akademie content domains.
Emerging players
- Personio: European cloud-native HR and people operations platform targeting SMB and mid-market. Direct challenger to Haufe's HR software portfolio, particularly for digital-first buyers in DACH.
Direct peers
- Buhl Data Service: German tax preparation and SMB accounting software provider (Taxman, WISO). Directly comparable to Haufe-Lexware's and Smartsteuer's SMB tax/accounting offerings in the German market.
- DATEV: German cooperative providing tax, accounting, HR, and business software to SMBs and mid-market. Closest direct peer to Haufe-Lexware, with comparable DACH footprint, recurring subscription model, and overlap in tax/accounting software.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Haufe Group social profiles
Digital presenceHaufe Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Haufe Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Haufe Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Haufe Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries12 records
Haufe Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Haufe Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Haufe Group
What does Haufe Group do?
Haufe Group provides integrated B2B business and workplace solutions combining content, software, and training services. Its portfolio spans HR and business management software (Haufe-Lexware), compliance training (Haufe Compliance College), tax preparation software (Smartsteuer), professional publishing (Schäffer-Poeschel Verlag, Verlag für Controlling Wissen AG), and training/consulting (Haufe Akademie, Semigator). The company primarily serves enterprises and SMBs in German-speaking markets with localised, regulation-focused solutions.
Is Haufe Group a public or private company?
Haufe Group is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Haufe Group founded?
Haufe Group was founded in 1951. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Haufe Group based?
Haufe Group is headquartered in Freiburg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Haufe Group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Software Solutions are the primary driver. The others are training and Professional Services and content and Publishing.
Who are Haufe Group's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Sage Group, Wolters Kluwer, Workday, LexisNexis (RELX) and SAP SuccessFactors. Springer Nature is listed as an others. Springer Fachmedien (part of Springer Nature) / WEKA Media is listed as a regional player. Personio is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Buhl Data Service and DATEV.
Does Haufe Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Haufe Group.
What industry is Haufe Group in?
Haufe Group's product category is Business Management Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACAKAK, HR Compliance & Policy Administration Outsourcing (incl. regulatory reporting), with a secondary code of EDAAALAN, Human Resources & Talent (SHRM/HRCI Recertification). Its NAICS code is 51321 and its SIC code is 2731.