OKTO has announced the full acquisition of Aplauz CH GmbH, the Swiss subsidiary of Aplauz Financial Services Ltd. This strategic acquisition strengthens OKTO’s presence in the Swiss market, enabling the company to expand its customer base and introduce innovative payment services in the market while maintaining and enhancing the existing infrastructure of Aplauz CH GmbH in the region.

Under OKTO’s ownership, Aplauz CH GmbH will continue to deliver its Aplauz prepaid payment service through online merchants and retail distribution partners, now rebranded as OKTO.VOUCHER. The transition will be seamless, ensuring uninterrupted service for all partners and consumers.

Aligned with its growth strategy, OKTO also introduces OKTO.CASH to the Swiss market—a fast, direct cash-to-online payment solution already established across multiple European markets, including Romania, Greece, Czech Republic, Germany, Cyprus, Italy and Serbia.

Aplauz CH GmbH, now under OKTO’s leadership, holds the necessary regulatory approvals from the Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) VQF to offer both OKTO.VOUCHER and OKTO.CASH services in Switzerland.

Thanos Mondanos, OKTO’s Head of Business Strategy, said: “Welcoming Aplauz CH GmbH into the OKTO Group marks a significant step forward in our international growth strategy. This acquisition reinforces our commitment to expanding in high-potential markets like Switzerland, allowing us to deliver a stronger portfolio of payment solutions that meet evolving customer demands. We are confident that Aplauz CH GmbH’s established presence, combined with OKTO’s innovative payment technologies, will create substantial value for both users and partners in the region.”

Mathias Wratschko, Senior Distribution Manager at OKTO, said: “This is a pivotal moment for OKTO, our Swiss partners and users. Through the acquisition of Aplauz CH GmbH, we’re set to elevate both transaction volumes and customer experience in Switzerland. By expanding the rebranded OKTO.VOUCHER service and launching OKTO.CASH, we’re enhancing Swiss payment options in a way that promises substantial revenue growth for our partners and increased satisfaction for consumers.”

Goran Abramović, Director of Aplauz Financial Services Ltd., said: “We are thrilled with the successful sale of our Swiss consumer business and have every confidence in OKTO’s capacity to drive further growth in this segment within the Swiss market. Aplauz Financial Services remains fully committed to supporting the Swiss market by continuing to provide our cutting-edge voucher issuing technology platform to OKTO and offering ongoing technical support to our valued partners. We look forward to seeing the positive impact OKTO will bring to this evolving market.”

Transaction set to fast-track Datawrkz’s ambitious growth plans

Datawrkz, a subsidiary of Nazara Technologies Limited (BSE: 543280) (NSE: NAZARA) has acquired a 100% stake in Space & Time, an independent growth marketing agency with offices across the UK for approximately GBP 4.8 million (~INR 52.3 crores) in cash and stock.

This acquisition is a key move in advancing Datawrkz’s growth ambitions across Europe and North America, positioning it as a scaled player in the global digital advertising market.

The collaboration brings together Space & Time’s expertise in growth marketing, media, and technology with Datawrkz’s strengths in programmatic advertising technology and optimization. This partnership will enable both companies to deliver more impactful digital advertising solutions and drive further expansion, especially in the European and UK markets. Additionally, Space & Time will gain access to Datawrkz’s cutting-edge technology and products, enhancing their ability to deliver effective campaigns and capitalize on growth opportunities in Europe and North America.

Datawrkz was founded in 2013 on the premise that digital advertising can be done better in every way. 

Senthil Govindan, CEO and founder of Datawrkz, will join the Space & Time board. He noted, “We are embarking on an inorganic strategy to complement our strong independent growth, and Space & Time is an ideal partner. The cultural alignment and shared focus on delivering value for clients make this acquisition a perfect fit. We anticipate this collaboration will significantly boost growth for both companies, with Space & Time driving our expansion in Europe.”

Launched in 2000, Space & Time has achieved strong revenue growth over the last three years and is one of a select few Google Premier Partners in the UK. Earlier this year, Space & Time chief executive officer, Chris Jones, was named in the ‘CEO and Leaders’ category of the BIMA 100, a listing of the top 100 movers and shakers in the UK’s digital and technology industry.

Chris Jones adds: “The company was founded with very clear principles focussed around client success. I’m incredibly proud to say these are more intrinsic and fundamental to our values than ever. The challenge was to find an investor that shares this passion for client-centricity and that’s exactly what we’ve found in Datawrkz. As two fast-growing and specialist businesses, the potential between us made this the perfect match and the investment in key areas such as data and technology that this deal brings will help future-proof our clients’ business as we continue to grow.

The deal represents an exciting new chapter in the Space & Time story as we partner with Datawrkz to bring new opportunities to clients. We’re excited for all that lies ahead.”