← Embedded Finance Index 2026

Helu.io

“Can a DATEV-native FP&A tool become the controlling layer for every DACH SMB currently running its finances in Excel?”

Founded2020
HQVienna, Austria
FoundersFranz Salzmann
Total raised$15M
Latest roundSeries A, 2022
IndustryHorizontal SaaS / FP&A

The story

Founded 2020 in Vienna to replace Excel-based controlling for DACH SMEs already booking in DATEV. Rather than build a general FP&A tool, Helu wedged into the DATEV ecosystem via the certified DATEVconnect interface — a defensible moat in the German-speaking mid-market where DATEV is the de-facto accounting standard. Roadmap through 2027 pivots toward 'AI-first / Agentic FP&A'.

Last 12 months

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Product timeline

2020

Company founded in Vienna by Franz Salzmann to automate financial controlling and reporting for SMEs.· pivot

2021

Launch of Helu MVP; closed €5M seed round.· banking

2022

Official partnership with DATEV; became DATEV Marketplace provider; closed $10M Series A led by CommerzVentures.· banking

2023

Expansion of controlling functions; user access rights, planning & forecasting released.· banking

2024

Set strategic course for holistic FP&A.· pivot

2025

Launch of Helu 2.0; hundreds of customers on DACH-focused FP&A platform.· banking

2026

Targeted growth and scaling strategy; preparing for Agentic FP&A.· pivot

The stack

2 layers disclosed in Helu.io’s embedded-finance stack

Unified APIs

DATEV

Accounting

in the full report

Accounting gap: none

2 more providers across 1 layer, with confidence-scored evidence and source URLs, are in the Embedded Finance Index report.

Helu.io — frequently asked

Which accounting software does Helu.io integrate with?

Helu.io integrates with DATEV and DATEVconnect.

What is Helu.io's embedded finance stack?

The Embedded Finance Index 2026 maps 2 layers in Helu.io's stack: Unified APIs (DATEV); Accounting (DATEV and DATEVconnect).

Who founded Helu.io?

Helu.io was founded by Franz Salzmann and is founded in 2020, headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

How much funding has Helu.io raised?

Helu.io has raised $15M in total (latest round: Series A, 2022).

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