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HERO Software

“Can a vertical SaaS for German craft SMEs become the all-in-one financial and operational OS for the trades sector across Europe?”

Founded2012
HQHannover, Germany
FoundersDr. Michael Kessler, Philipp Lyding
Total raised€40M+ (Series B alone)
Latest roundSeries B, July 2024
IndustryVertical SaaS / Construction
The story

HERO Software was founded in 2012 as Energieheld, a climate-tech marketplace aimed at accelerating solar and heat-pump installations in Germany's building sector. Recognising that fragmented, paper-heavy craft businesses were the real bottleneck, the founders pivoted to build a vertical SaaS ERP — rebranding as HERO Software around 2020. After reaching 40,000+ users across the DACH trades sector, the company raised a €40M Series B in 2024 to pan-European expansion. In 2026 HERO launched HERO Wallet via Swan, embedding a virtual-IBAN payments and reconciliation layer directly into the platform — marking its deliberate move toward becoming the financial operating system for craft SMEs.

Last 12 months
2024-07
2026-06
Product timeline
2012
Founded as Energieheld (later Lyke), initially focused on accelerating energy transition by connecting tradespeople with solar/heat-pump installation projects.· pivot
2020
Rebranded and relaunched as HERO Software, pivoting to a full field-service-management / ERP platform for German craft SMEs.· pivot
2024
Closed €40M Series B led by Eight Roads Ventures to expand across Europe.· acquisition
2026
Launched HERO Wallet — an embedded payments and invoice-reconciliation product powered by Swan — directly inside the HERO platform.· banking
The stack
3 layers disclosed in HERO Software’s embedded-finance stack
Money movement
SEPA
Banking / BaaS
in the full report
Accounting
in the full report
Accounting gap: minor
3 more providers across 2 layers, with confidence-scored evidence and source URLs, are in the Embedded Finance Index report.

HERO Software — frequently asked

What bank does HERO Software use?

HERO Software discloses Swan as its banking provider, according to the Embedded Finance Index 2026.

Is HERO Software a bank?

HERO Software does not disclose a bank charter of its own; its banking services are provided through Swan.

Which payment rails does HERO Software use?

HERO Software moves money over SEPA.

Which accounting software does HERO Software integrate with?

HERO Software integrates with DATEV and Lexware Office.

What is HERO Software's embedded finance stack?

The Embedded Finance Index 2026 maps 3 layers in HERO Software's stack: Money movement (SEPA); Banking / BaaS (Swan); Accounting (DATEV and Lexware Office).

Who founded HERO Software?

HERO Software was founded by Dr. Michael Kessler and Philipp Lyding and is founded in 2012, headquartered in Hannover, Germany.

How much funding has HERO Software raised?

HERO Software has raised €40M+ (Series B alone) in total (latest round: Series B, July 2024).

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