European online payments provider Trustly announced this week it will be acquired by Nordic Capital Fund IX (Nordic Capital). According to Trustly, Nordic Capital will support the payment platform in its mission to become the leading global online banking payments provider. Trustly also reported that its largest shareholder Bridgepoint Development Capital will dispose of its full equity interest but management, founders and investment company Alfvén & Didrikson will remain significant shareholders in the company.
While sharing details about the acquisition, Oscar Berglund, CEO of Trustly, stated:
“The shift towards obanking-based based payment solutions is only in its infancy and we are looking forward to continuing to innovate and execute so as to make it easier, safer and quicker for both consumers and merchants to make payments online. We are delighted to partner with Nordic Capital whose support will be of great value as we grow across merchant verticals, products and geographies. I also want to thank Bridgepoint Development Capital for their exceptional contribution over the last three years.”
Fredrik Näslund, Partner, Advisor to the Nordic Capital funds, also commented:
“Direct bank payments are the future of payments and Trustly is leading this transition. This investment is at the core of Nordic Capital’s payment investment strategy, and after having followed the company for many years, we have built a strong conviction in the business and we are impressed by what the founders and management have built over the last 10 years. Nordic Capital views Trustly as a highly strategic payment platform with unique capabilities. We intend to support the management team and founders in the journey to becoming the global account-to-account infrastructure player by providing capital and experience from our previous successful investments in payments.”
Johan Dahlfors, Partner at Bridgepoint Development Capital, added:
“It has been an honour to work with such a talented and motivated team to develop the leading European online banking e-payments player. The progress achieved by the team during our ownership has been outstanding, where Trustly has expanded its footprint across Europe, invested in the business infrastructure and team as well as in its proprietary technology platform. We are convinced that Trustly is very well placed to continue its strong growth trajectory in a structurally growing market with long-term tailwinds for real-time, account-to-account payments.”
The transaction is notably subject to customary regulatory approvals and approval by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority. The parties have agreed to not disclose any financial details.