Silverfin

Overview

Silverfin built a cloud-native platform that modernizes the workflow of accountancy firms: standardizing templates, automating recurring tasks, and enabling real-time collaboration between accountants and their clients. The platform became a reference product in the European accounting software market.

Co-founded by Joris Van Der Gucht and Tim Vandecasteele in Ghent, Silverfin grew to serve accounting firms across multiple European markets before being acquired by Visma, the Norwegian software group with an extensive portfolio of European finance and ERP software.

The acquisition represents one of Ghent's notable SaaS exits and demonstrates the commercial potential for Vertical SaaS targeting professional services firms.

Media & appearances

• Ben's MentorsYouTube2026-03-20
  Van Bootstrappen Tot €300M Exit: Succes is nooit overnight!Cloud platform automating post-accounting reporting workflows, bootstrapped from 2013, grew to ~250 people across 20+ countries and was acquired by Visma in 2023 for over €300M.
• Ben's MentorsYouTube2026-02-04
  Louis Jonckheere: Zo Bouw Je Een Bedrijf Dat Voorbij €100 Miljoen Groeit!Cited as an example of deliberately regional software; founder Joris Van Der Gucht is praised for going all-in a second time with Revical.
• Ben's MentorsYouTube2026-01-21
  Jürgen Ingels: Succes Als Ondernemer Is Niet Wat Je Denkt!Cited as a successful Smartfin portfolio company.
• Johan de WitYouTube2025-12-03
  Van unicorn CPO in Silicon Valley naar natuurmens op de Veluwe: SaaS founder Arjé CahnBelgian founder Joris van der Gucht's company, referenced for his identical advice that founders are 'busy being busy' and should focus on customers, team and product.
• Ben's MentorsYouTube2025-10-29
  Waarom de Meeste Start-Ups Falen en hoe jij Kan Groeien!Cited as a Belgian example of bootstrapping to a certain level before raising money to grow.
• Johan de WitYouTube2025-05-22
  Hoe 'defensible' is jouw SaaS product nog?Joris Van Der Gucht's previous company in the accountancy market, sold roughly two years ago.
• BlackBird Business EventsYouTube2024-10-24
  BlackBird Podcast aflevering 59: Jürgen IngelsOne of the first companies Ingels backed after Clear2Pay; he chaired the board and it was recently sold for over €300 million.
• Ben's MentorsYouTube2024-10-09
  Zo Blijf Je Mentaal en Fysiek Gezond als Drukke Ondernemer | Seppe De Baerdemacker (PEAK Coaching)Joris Van Der Gucht, ex-founder of Silverfin (sold), is Seppe's mentor and sat on PEAK's advisory board.
• ConnexiYouTube2024-09-30
  #80 Caroline Van der Steen (Artion) over Durven Springen en Nieuwe RichtingenA company visit during a Voka Bryo trajectory where Joris Van Der Gucht told his founder story directly inspired the idea for Artion as a SaaS business.
• De CFO PodcastYouTube2024-09-23
  De CFO Podcast - Tom LibbrechtGhent SaaS company for accountants where Tom was the first finance hire, growing it from post-Series A startup through PE ownership to acquisition by Visma.

Stated facts & numbers

• Silverfin was founded in 2013 and built over 10 years until 2023.Ben's Mentors 2026-03-200:06:36
• Silverfin grew from 2 founders to approximately 250 employees.Ben's Mentors 2026-03-200:06:36
• Silverfin's platform automates reporting processes in more than 20 countries.Ben's Mentors 2026-03-200:05:36
• Silverfin was acquired by Visma for over €300M (per episode description).Ben's Mentors 2026-03-200:00:00
• The founders' initial dream for Silverfin was reaching €1 million in revenue.Ben's Mentors 2026-03-200:10:08
• Silverfin went international around year three or four.Ben's Mentors 2026-03-201:00:39
• Silverfin's annual conference in Flanders Expo attracted around 1,000 attendees.Ben's Mentors 2026-03-201:02:13
• Silverfin was sold four to five months before recording for over €300 million.BlackBird Business Events 2024-10-240:37:26