Arthur Waller

Arthur Waller is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pennylane, a French fintech company that provides accounting and financial management solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He has a notable background in entrepreneurship and product management, particularly in the hospitality and technology sectors.

Early Career

Waller began his career with internships at prestigious institutions, including the International Monetary Fund and Goldman Sachs. He also worked as a teaching assistant at Sciences Po, where he later pursued advanced studies in economics and public policies after completing a bachelor's degree in economics from Pierre and Marie Curie University. His educational journey included significant training in mathematics and economics from École Polytechnique and Sciences Po .23

Entrepreneurial Ventures

In 2012, Waller co-founded PriceMatch, a startup focused on revenue management solutions for hotels. The company quickly gained traction, being adopted by over 700 hotels and eventually acquired by Booking.com in 2015. Waller served as a Senior Product Owner at Booking.com for three years, where he refined his skills in product development .123

In 2020, he launched Pennylane, which aims to streamline financial operations for SMEs by combining accounting software with financial management tools. Under his leadership, Pennylane became the first French unicorn since 2022 after raising €40 million in funding .14

Vision and Impact

Waller is passionate about addressing the challenges faced by small businesses in managing their finances. He emphasizes the importance of creating tools that are not only functional but also user-friendly, enabling business owners to make informed decisions based on their financial data. His approach is driven by empathy for the users of Pennylane's products, which include various SMEs like restaurants and hotels .56

Personal Insights

Waller has shared insights into his leadership style and company culture, advocating for a remote-first work environment while maintaining strong team dynamics through strategic meetings and rituals. He aims to position Pennylane as a dominant player in the European SME market .45

Overall, Arthur Waller's journey reflects a blend of entrepreneurial spirit, technological innovation, and a commitment to enhancing the financial management landscape for SMEs.