Nexi buys 30% stake in German PSP Computop
Founders of the German international payment service provider (PSP) Computop are selling 30% of the company’s shares to Italian paytech firm Nexi Group.
Computop sells 30% stake to Nexi
Computop’s founders Frank Arnoldt and Ralf Gladis, who launched the PSP in 1997, previously held 50% of the company’s shares each.
The pair’s decision to now expand its shareholder base, with retroactive effect from 1 January 2023, is thought to be attributed to their desire to increase capital and expand Computop’s global reach.
According to the company’s official announcement, the additional funds generated by the sale will “expand its range of services in the areas of point-of-sale and e-commerce” with a specific focus on tapping the areas currently served by Nexi.
Computop’s payment solution Paygate is already integrated into Nexi’s systems, allowing the PSP to process omnichannel transactions for its new partner’s customers.
The announcement also confirmed that Computop will lead future projects for retailers and industrial companies that require individual solutions for Nexi customers. These customers are also set to benefit from Computop’s network outside of Europe.
Speaking on the sale, Gladis cites Nexi as “a strong shareholder” that will be able to support the PSP’s development “in the best possible way”.
Gladis anticipates that the partnership will improve the standard of Computop’s payment solutions and customer services, extending these benefits to both European and international merchants.
For Nexi, the partnership is set to extend its European processing abilities, while its international customers in the USA, Canada and Australia will also be able to access Paygate and its omnichannel solutions.
“Computop enables Nexi to further strengthen its position in the key growth region of DACH, especially Germany, and in the dynamic e-commerce space,” comments the company’s head of group e-commerce, Omar Haque.
“Computop brings unique capabilities in payments with at-scale online and omnichannel payments that can be tailored customer-by-customer for the specific needs of local merchants in Germany and Europe, whether they plan to grow their business within Europe or with locations around the world”, adds Haque.
The purchase price of the 30% stake has not been disclosed, and the office locations, management team and management responsibilities of Computop are expected to remain unchanged.
