Dutch FinTech company POM has recently made a strategic move to strengthen its position in the European market by acquiring Danish firm FarPay, known for its end-to-end invoicing automation solutions. This acquisition, supported by Vortex Capital Partner, stands out in the rapidly evolving landscape of European financial technology. With this move, POM aims to set a new standard in accounts receivable management and automation of invoicing processes across the continent. As someone who has built and scaled startups in various European regions, I, Violetta Bonenkamp, find this development particularly intriguing given the dynamic shifts in the FinTech sector and the growing prominence of mergers and acquisitions as a growth strategy.
A Strategic Leap Into the Scandinavian Market
One of the most striking aspects of this acquisition is its focus on consolidating strengths between POM and FarPay. While POM specializes in payment solutions and accounts receivable management, FarPay shines in streamlining invoicing automation operations. Together, these companies aim to create a robust and scalable platform that serves businesses across European markets. Scandinavian countries, including Denmark, have long been known for their innovative FinTech companies, making this acquisition a strategic entry point for POM to capitalize on new market opportunities.
Key Insights from the Acquisition:
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Geographic Expansion:
- POM now has enhanced access to Northern European customers with FarPay's established presence in Denmark.
- FarPay gains exposure to new markets and networks facilitated by POM’s infrastructure.
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Sectoral Focus:
- POM’s expertise in payment management aligns seamlessly with FarPay’s invoicing automation capabilities, optimizing back-office financial workflows for businesses.
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Investment Backing:
- Vortex Capital Partner’s support highlights the growing trend of private equity firms aiding cross-border acquisitions in FinTech.
Trends Driving FinTech Consolidation
The decision aligns with a larger trend in European FinTech where mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are becoming the preferred strategic move to gain a competitive edge. In 2025 alone, €136 million has been injected into startups focusing on accounts receivable, B2B payments, and invoice automation. This acquisition reflects how capital flows and consumer demand are reshaping financial services. It also highlights the increasing competition from well-funded companies that prioritize AI-driven automation.
Statistics from Recent Funding Rounds:
- Factris raised €100 million to bolster SME financing solutions across Europe.
- Source: Factris Expansion Announcement
- Sibill secured €12 million to innovate SME financial platforms targeting accountancy.
- Source: Sibill Growth Strategy
These shifts indicate that companies must prioritize diversification and optimization to stay competitive in a market dominated by players deploying advanced technology like machine learning and AI.
How Entrepreneurs Can Learn from This Acquisition
As someone who focuses on fostering entrepreneurial growth, I see three key takeaways from POM’s move:
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Strategic Partnerships Are Paramount
Startups should closely evaluate potential partnerships or acquisitions that can complement their existing service offerings. By enhancing product capabilities and reaching new customer bases, startups can achieve exponential growth. -
Market Expansion Models
Consider leveraging cross-border collaborations to tap into new geographic markets. FarPay’s Denmark-based presence offers POM access to Scandinavian customers, but the model is replicable for startups eyeing other international options. -
Automation as a Differentiator
The demand for automation in back-office processes, including invoicing and payments, is on the rise. Entrepreneurs should invest in or develop AI-driven tools that provide efficiency gains for business clients, especially freelancers and SMEs.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
As an experienced entrepreneur, I’ve seen companies make mistakes when pursuing acquisitions or expansions. Here are some that POM and startups should avoid:
- Failure to Scale Post-Acquisition: Ownership transfer is just the beginning; the true test lies in integrating systems, marketing, and operations.
- Overstretching Geographic Reach: Expanding too fast or entering unfamiliar markets without adequate preparation can dilute focus.
- Ignoring Employee Integration: Neglecting the human aspect, such as maintaining morale and retention within the acquired company, can lead to talent drain.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Strategic Acquisitions
For startup founders looking to replicate POM’s success, here’s a blueprint:
- Evaluate Complementary Strengths: Assess how the potential partner or acquisition can fill gaps in your current service offering.
- Secure Strategic Funding: Partner with investment firms or corporate sponsors, such as Vortex Capital Partner, that align with future growth plans.
- Conduct a Thorough Market Analysis: Understand both the new geographic region and the customer segments you aim to target.
- Prioritize Integration: Build a dedicated team for aligning cultures, systems, and strategies.
- Leverage the Network Effect: Use your existing network to cross-promote your expanded services into new markets.
Conclusion: Building a European Standard
POM’s acquisition of FarPay signals a new era for FinTech innovation in Europe, where consolidation plays a vital role in growth. For entrepreneurs, this case study demonstrates the importance of synergy, geographic diversification, and leveraging automation in high-demand niches like accounts receivable and payment management.
As someone who has seen both the challenges and opportunities of building scalable businesses, I encourage founders to watch the European FinTech space closely. Whether you are seeking investments, entering new markets, or adopting emerging technologies, there are plenty of lessons from companies such as POM and FarPay on how strategy and execution can propel you to the next level. For those yet to start their entrepreneurial journey, investing in collaborative tools and actionable insights is your first step to success.
Stay driven, keep learning, and remember: turning ideas into impactful innovations is always possible with the right approach!
FAQ
1. What is the recent strategic move by Dutch FinTech company POM?
POM has strengthened its position in the European market by acquiring Danish firm FarPay, a company known for invoicing automation solutions. This acquisition, supported by Vortex Capital Partner, is set to create a robust European platform for accounts receivable and payment management. Learn more about POM's acquisition of FarPay
2. Why is the acquisition of FarPay significant for POM?
FarPay specializes in end-to-end invoicing automation operations, which complements POM’s expertise in payment solutions. This synergy is expected to optimize back-office financial workflows for businesses across Europe. Discover the benefits of POM acquiring FarPay
3. How does this acquisition affect geographic market access?
The acquisition gives POM enhanced access to Northern European markets, leveraging FarPay’s established presence in Denmark. Similarly, FarPay benefits from POM’s vast infrastructure to enter new markets.
4. What is driving the trend of mergers and acquisitions in the European FinTech sector?
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) like POM acquiring FarPay are driven by the desire to gain competitive edge, diversify services, and respond to increasing investments in AI-driven automation across financial services. Learn about trends in European FinTech consolidations
5. How is Vortex Capital Partner involved in this acquisition?
Vortex Capital Partner, an investment firm, supported the acquisition to strategically expand POM’s operations and strengthen its scalability across Europe. Understand Vortex Capital Partner's role in the FinTech sector
6. What impact does this acquisition have on FarPay’s operations?
FarPay will retain its branding, team, and offices in Denmark while gaining exposure to a more extensive European market through POM’s networks. Explore FarPay's strategic opportunities post-acquisition
7. What are some other significant trends in the FinTech sector for 2025?
In 2025, around €136 million was invested into startups focused on accounts receivable, B2B payments, and invoice automation, reflecting the strong market focus on optimizing financial workflows. Discover how funding is shaping FinTech trends
8. How does automation play a role in the FinTech landscape?
The demand for automation in payments and invoicing continues to grow significantly, with companies integrating AI-driven systems to improve processes. Learn more about the rise of automation in FinTech
9. What lessons can entrepreneurs take from POM’s acquisition of FarPay?
Entrepreneurs should focus on strategic partnerships, market expansion, and leveraging automation as differentiators in the competitive landscape. This acquisition exemplifies how collaboration can achieve exponential growth.
10. What were some of the biggest funding rounds in 2025 related to this sector?
Key funding rounds include €100 million by Factris for SME financing and €12 million by Sibill for SME financial platforms. These investments highlight the focus on bringing innovative solutions to European markets. Read about Factris' funding for SME Finance | Explore Sibill's funding for SME financial platforms
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.