Jobtoolz

Overview

Founded in 2016 by Jochen Callens and Dieter D'hondt in Kortrijk, Jobtoolz provides an integrated recruitment platform built for SME employers. The product combines an applicant tracking system (ATS), an employer branding module for presenting the company and publishing vacancies, and recruitment marketing tools for distributing job postings across channels. The platform also includes vendor management for staffing agencies.

In July 2023, Jobtoolz was acquired by ISH Holding, giving the company access to broader distribution within the ISH portfolio. Following the acquisition, Jobtoolz continued expanding by acquiring Hirehive, an Irish AI-powered ATS platform, in May 2024, adding Irish market coverage and additional AI-driven screening capabilities.

Jobtoolz did not raise external VC funding before its acquisition, growing to a commercially successful SME HR tech product through organic revenue.

Media & appearances

• The HarbourYouTube2024-10-10
  JOCHEN CALLENS (Jobtoolz - Voka) over hoe een investering van € 120.000 de vuilbak inging.HR recruitment software company Callens co-founded around 2016-2017, grew to Belgian market leader, and sold 100% to Strada in 2022.
• SuperNovaYouTube2024-05-24
  SuperNova Conversations: Adam Reynolds (Invincible Software)Belgian HR software company (based in Kortrijk) acquired by Invincible Software Holdings in the last 10 months, which scaled with a commercial and sales focus.
• BlackBird Business EventsYouTube2024-02-15
  BlackBird Podcast aflevering 43: Jochen CallensRecruitment tech SaaS co-founded by Jochen Callens and Dieter D'hondt, bootstrapped to 3,000 clients in 5 countries and sold after 6 years to ISH Holdings.

Stated facts & numbers

• Jobtoolz reached about 3,000 clients in 5 countries after 5-6 years.BlackBird Business Events 2024-02-150:23:05
• The decision to sell Jobtoolz to ISH Holdings came 6 years after founding.BlackBird Business Events 2024-02-150:23:36
• Jobtoolz doubled its revenue every year.BlackBird Business Events 2024-02-150:23:36
• Jobtoolz had one business angel investor (the owner of their business center) and no further external investors.BlackBird Business Events 2024-02-150:15:23
• Jobtoolz was market leader in Belgium and gaining traction in the Netherlands before the sale.BlackBird Business Events 2024-02-150:25:40
• About five developers continuously work on the Jobtoolz product today.BlackBird Business Events 2024-02-150:21:02
• Jobtoolz was profitable in its last three to four fiscal years and reached break-even quickly.BlackBird Business Events 2024-02-150:34:23
• PMV rejected Jobtoolz's early dossier; the assessor near retirement said he didn't believe in the story at all.The Harbour 2024-10-100:29:06