About Fargeau & Hora Finita

Specialists in PhD management, driven by down-to-earth craftsmanship

Fargeau is the software development team behind Hora Finita. For 25 years, we have been designing and developing smart, high-quality software solutions. Our strength lies in the unique combination of in-depth IT knowledge and business acumen. We don't just write code; we understand how complex organizations, university governance cultures, and academic regulations work.

With Hora Finita, we offer universities and medical centers a powerful, flexible platform that streamlines the complete PhD candidate lifecycle — from the first application to the defense in the auditorium.

Our core values

Pragmatic & No-nonsense

We believe in clear language and software that does what it needs to do. No unnecessary complexity, no vague advice, and no hidden agendas. Our quality is reflected in quickly getting to the heart of the matter. You see this in our communication, but especially in our software: intuitive, clear, and built for daily practice.

Human & goal-oriented

Software is all about people. We believe that a pleasant, informal, and personal working relationship is the key to efficient collaboration. Through short lines of communication and a dedicated core of involved specialists. With us, you don't speak to an anonymous call center, but directly to the people who know the platform inside out.

Active & engaged

The collaboration only begins when software is delivered. We truly immerse ourselves in what is happening within the university and adapt seamlessly to evolving laws and regulations.
Through the active Hora Finita User Group, we work intensively with our users. Together we determine the roadmap and develop functionalities that advance the entire academic community.

100% Independent & Digitally Sovereign

Hora Finita is hosted on Dutch infrastructure under full EU/GDPR jurisdiction. The platform operates on fully self-managed infrastructure within certified Dutch data centers, ensuring complete independence from US cloud providers such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Built on a 100% open-source stack—including Linux and MariaDB—the system eliminates costly software license dependencies and prevents vendor lock-in. All data, backups, and processing workflows remain in Europe at all times.

Why universities choose Fargeau

25+ years proven track record in IT and process optimization.
Domain expertise in higher education and the PhD process.
Direct contact with the developers and advisors behind the platform.
No vendor lock-in: your data remains 100% your property and is always accessible via open standards.
Fargeau is a fully independent Dutch company without private equity backing. This independence ensures long-term continuity and predictable costs.
Sustainable relationships: we don't strive for quick transactions, but for a long-term partnership.

Explore the possibilities for your university

Whether you want to know how Hora Finita fits within your IT landscape, or are curious about the experiences of other universities: we are happy to engage in conversation.