Atlanta-based Global Payments Inc. has bought the Irish online payment technology firm Realex Payments in a deal for reportedly $125.5 million.
Founded by Irish entrepreneur Colm Lyon in 2000, Realex has grown rapidly with offices in Dublin, Ireland; London and Paris and clients in 30 countries.
According to a Global Payments announcement, the acquisition of one of Europe’s largest and fastest growing payment gateways will enable it to provide multi-channel solutions including gateway services, payment service provisioning and merchant acquiring across the continent.
Realex Payments processes online payments to more than 12,500 retailers including leading brands such as Vodafone, Aer Lingus, Virgin Atlantic and Paddy Power.
Mr. Lyon has been active in Ireland’s Internet community and chaired the Irish Internet Association (2004-07) and founded the Internet Growth Alliance. Last year he set up Payments Ireland, a new networking group designed to open up access to payment systems. In 2005 he was a finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
In 2012, Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Enda Kenny officially opened Realex’s new Dublin headquarters on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay.
Global Payments has 4,200 staff and does business in 28 countries. Its CEO, Jeff Sloan, said in a statement issued March 25:
“Realex Payments represents a strategic investment to expand our international omni-channel technology offerings, enhancing our go-to-market strategy in one of our largest regions with industry leading value-added products and services.”