Welcome to the Jungle, a French leader in employer branding and recruitment solutions, announces the strategic acquisition of Otta, a UK-based job search platform. This move marks a significant expansion in Europe and initiates Welcome to the Jungle's entry into the US market in 2024. Established in 2015, Welcome to the Jungle has redefined the employer brand market in France and the Czech Republic, offering innovative solutions to 5,500 clients. Otta, founded in 2019, brings a cutting-edge job matching algorithm, significantly growing its user base across the UK, US, and Europe. This acquisition aligns with both companies' visions of redefining recruitment standards and improving candidate experiences, with a commitment to innovative HR policies and work flexibility.



Paris, January 22, 2024 – In a strategic move that signifies a major shift in the HR technology sector, Welcome to the Jungle, a trailblazer in employer branding and recruitment solutions, announced its acquisition of Otta, the pioneering UK-based job search platform. This acquisition marks a significant step in Welcome to the Jungle's expansion across Europe and its ambitious foray into the US market slated for 2024.

Established in 2015, Welcome to the Jungle has been at the forefront of reshaping employer branding in France and the Czech Republic. Serving over 5,500 clients, the company has introduced a slew of innovative solutions, significantly enhancing employer attractiveness and redefining the workspace with inspiring content that reaches approximately three million active professionals monthly.

Otta, founded in 2019, has carved out a niche in the recruitment sector with its advanced "job matching" algorithm, empowering candidates to find jobs that truly align with their skills and aspirations. By 2023, Otta's candidate base burgeoned to nearly 2 million users, predominantly spanning the UK, US, and Europe, with a strong focus on the tech and startup sectors.

The synergy between Welcome to the Jungle and Otta is palpable. Sharing an optimistic vision for the recruitment market, both entities strive to redefine employer branding, job search, and candidate sourcing standards. With this acquisition, Welcome to the Jungle is poised to bolster its presence in Europe, where the UK stands as the third-largest job market, and venture into the US market in 2024. Notably, 70% of Otta's applications already originate from the US, backed by Welcome to the Jungle's significant Series C funding of 50 million euros in 2023.

This partnership is more than a business transaction; it's a fusion of two entities with a common DNA that challenges the conventions of the HR market. Both companies share a commitment to innovative experiences and envision a future of work that integrates flexibility, a deep sense of belonging, and purpose-driven missions for employees. Their operational models, including the four-day work week in France and the nine-day fortnight in the UK, exemplify their innovative approach to HR policies.

As 2024 unfolds, Welcome to the Jungle embarks on this international acquisition, dedicating the year to new market development and realizing its vision of a more sustainable future of work. This union stands as a testament to the shared mission of both companies: to build a better future for job seekers.

The transaction amount remains undisclosed, but the co-founders of Otta, Sam Franklin, Theo Margolius, and Xav Kearney, will stay on board to ensure a smooth transition and integration.

In the words of Jérémy Clédat, co-founder and CEO of Welcome to the Jungle, "The similarities between Otta and Welcome to the Jungle have always struck us. From our shared vision of the recruitment market to our candidate-focused approach, we are set to build the ultimate solution in employer branding and sourcing, offering a unique and highly attractive proposition to our clients."

Sam Franklin, co-founder and CEO of Otta, shares the enthusiasm, "Launching Otta in 2019 was about making job search less daunting and more candidate-centered. The notable results, with 6 million applications to 10,000 companies in 2023, make us eager to see what the future holds within Welcome to the Jungle. Our cultures are closely aligned, and our mission remains the same: to create a better future for job seekers.