Innova Capital, a Central European private equity firm, together with its partner OPTeam, which is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, has invested in Polskie ePłatności (PeP).
PeP will become a platform for the consolidation of the electronic payments sector in Poland. The transaction is another investment by Innova in new technologies and financial services.
“In our investment strategy, we are consistently increasing our commitment in entities with a distinct technology DNA and a market position that opens the route for expansion and rapid growth. FinTech, a sector which combines financial services with state-of-the-art technologies, is not only a sector with a positive outlook, but also a well-known terrain for us. We have successfully made investments in the electronic payments market in such companies as Polcard (now FirstData), Euronet and Provus. PeP is a company in which we can see similar potential,” says Krzysztof Kulig, managing partner, Innova Capital.
“We believe our experience and equity commitment will support PeP’s management board in implementing an ambitious growth strategy. We also want to consolidate further entities into a strong group,” says Marcin Drozdowski, managing director, Innova Capital.
OPTeam signed an agreement on 23 June 2016 to purchase 50 per cent of the shares in Centrum Rozliczeń Elektronicznych Polskie ePłatności [Centre of Electronic Clearance Polish ePayment] (PeP) from Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych [Polish Security Printing Works] (PWPW). This stake gives 58.84 per cent of voting rights at PeP’s AGM.
In accordance with an earlier agreement, OPTeam sold 75 per cent of the shares in the company to Innova Capital, which simultaneously undertook to recapitalize PeP.
After the transaction closing and the capital injection into the company, within the framework of their strategic partnership, Innova and OPTeam will actively support the management board of PeP in the consolidation of the electronic payments market, both through further acquisitions and organic growth.
“PeP is one of the pioneers of the electronic payments market. The company was one of the precursors, launching contactless payments in Poland and has a significant share of the market. I believe that, together with Innova Capital, we shall create an entity that will soon become a leading clearing agent and the undisputed leader of e-payments in Poland,” says Wacław Szary, president of the management board of OPTeam.
