Adzuna acquires insolvent German jobs startup Joblift

UK job search engine Adzuna has acquired Joblift, an insolvent Hamburg-based HR startup founded in 2015. Terms were not disclosed.

In Adzuna's own words, the deal "secures the future of Joblift in Germany." Joblift's brand and local sales team continue in Germany, now backed by Adzuna's platform, AI tools and international reach. In Joblift's other markets — the US, UK, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Italy and Spain — Joblift will be combined with Adzuna to widen both companies' reach. Joblift's sales and customer success staff join the wider Adzuna organisation, and Adzuna is opening a sales office in Hamburg.

"We started Adzuna to help people find better, more fulfilling jobs. Today that mission gets bigger, in particular in Germany," said Adzuna co-founder Doug Monro , who noted that he and co-founder Andrew Hunter first hatched the idea for the company on a trip to Hamburg — making the new Hamburg office "a full circle."

The deal rescues a startup in trouble. Joblift filed for insolvency in April 2026, with lawyer Arno Doebert appointed preliminary administrator, before Adzuna stepped in to absorb its talent and technology while keeping the brand alive.

Joblift raised around €26 million from backers including DN Capital, Cherry Ventures, and Redline Capital. In 2023, it posted revenue of €10.5 million excluding its US business, down from €16 million in 2022, with a net loss of €6.4 million.

The deal shows how established platforms are absorbing distressed startups, keeping their brands and technology alive while consolidating talent and market position.