The Sale of Boostrs: Working with a Trusted Partner from the Start

The Decision to Seek a Strategic Home

The market for HR tech was shifting. Interest from U.S. and global buyers surged, but as a founder, steering an international sale process was daunting. We needed an M&A advisor who not only understood deal mechanics, but could tell our unique story, position Boostrs for maximum value, and protect our team and vision through the transition.

Choosing Venero: What Made the Difference

We appointed Venero Capital Advisors as our exclusive financial advisor because they provided exactly what founders in our position need:

• Experience: They understood our product, our value drivers, and the buyer landscape better than others did.
• Tailored Positioning: They took the time to deeply analyze what made our technology and data different, crafting a narrative and marketing materials that resonated with both strategic and financial buyers.
• Senior-Level Support: Venero ran a highly structured and competitive process, where a senior investment banker lead the process from beginning to end. The Venero team managed the buyer conversations and shielded us from distractions so we could keep Boostrs operating at full speed throughout.
• Trust: They set clear expectations, were transparent at every step, and advocated for outcomes that would serve both shareholders and the team.

Venero has been our trusted partner from the start. The team went above and beyond to help us navigate a challenging market and deliver a great result for our employees and shareholders.

The Visier Opportunity

When Visier, the global people analytics leader, expressed interest, it was obvious why Venero’s network and process mattered. Visier sought more than just a product; they wanted to integrate our skills engine and team as a new center of excellence in Paris. Their technology stack, customer base of 25,000, and global vision gave Boostrs a launchpad that dwarfed what we could achieve independently.

After weeks of coordinated due diligence, planning, and alignment on priorities, facilitated every step of the way by Venero, we closed the transaction in October 2022. Visier brought on the majority of our team and committed to expanding our Paris office as a European hub.

Why the Result Matters

• Our skills ontology and mapping engine will power strategic talent decisions for organizations worldwide—closing skills gaps, identifying leaders, supporting internal mobility, and guiding L&D investments with unprecedented clarity.
• Boostrs’ voice and product vision remain influential, with the Paris team continuing to drive roadmap innovation as a vital part of Visier.
• Our employees and shareholders benefited not only from a strong exit but from continuity, opportunity, and new resources.

Founder-to-Founder Advice

• Selling is about far more than valuation; it’s about your people, your mission, and the next chapter for your product.
• A specialist advisor who knows your sector, takes time to understand your unique strengths, and brings deep buyer relationships is priceless.
• Structured, competitive processes with clear communication can yield outstanding outcomes, even in challenging markets.

With our Boostrs chapter as an independent company closed, we’re glad we wrote its ending (and new beginning) on our own terms, with the right partner, at the right time.