Novalnet

Last updated
Novalnet AG
Company type Private
Industry Financial services, Payment processor, Payment system, E-Commerce, Point of sale
Founded2007
FounderGabriel Dixon (CEO)
Headquarters,
Number of locations
  • Germany (Munich)
  • UK (Croydon)
  • USA (New York)
  • India (Chennai)
Area served
Worldwide
Services
Number of employees
200
Website www.novalnet.com

Novalnet AG is a German financial technology (fintech) company that operates as a full-service payment provider and payment orchestration platform. Headquartered in Munich and founded in 2007 by Gabriel Dixon, the company offers merchants an end-to-end solution for processing online payments, point-of-sale transactions, and related value-added services within a single system [1] . Novalnet’s platform automates the payment workflow from customer checkout through billing and debt collection, allowing businesses to manage all aspects of electronic payments under one contract. The firm remains independently owned (family-run) and positions itself as an all-in-one provider competing with global payment companies such as PayPal and Stripe in serving merchants worldwide [2] . As of the mid-2020s, Novalnet employs around 200 people and serves a client base of over 12,000 online merchants across Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Asia.

Contents

History

Novalnet AG was established in January 2007 in Munich by Gabriel Dixon, who continues to serve as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and chairman of the board [3] [4] . The company’s founding mission was to simplify digital payments for businesses by providing a one-stop platform that would address common pain points such as fraud, high fees, and technical complexity. Novalnet reached operational profitability early in its history and, unlike many fintech startups, chose to grow organically without external venture capital investment. This independent growth strategy allowed the firm to maintain a long-term, customer-focused approach. Dixon has characterized Novalnet as a family-owned business built on solving merchants’ problems rather than merely processing transactions [5] .

Throughout the 2010s, Novalnet expanded its presence internationally. It opened subsidiary offices and partnerships to support key markets – for example, establishing Novalnet Ltd. in London to serve the UK, a New York office (Novalnet Payment Corp.) for North America, and a technology center in Chennai, India [6] . The company’s services were adapted to various regional requirements, and by 2020 Novalnet was supporting clients in over 150 countries with localized payment options [7] . An important milestone came in 2017 when Novalnet introduced a payment guarantee solution for invoice (buy-now-pay-later) transactions. This 100% payment guarantee allowed online merchants to offer “purchase on account” to customers without bearing the risk of non-payment – Novalnet would assume the full default risk and ensure the merchant gets paid [8] . The new service addressed the popularity of invoicing in Germany while mitigating merchants’ concerns about late or missing payments.

By the late 2010s, Novalnet’s growth and stability set it apart in the fintech sector. Notably, the company remained profitable from 2008 onward and did not take on venture funding, which Dixon credits as enabling consistent innovation and customer service quality. To support its growing merchant base, Novalnet continued to broaden its product capabilities and integrations (such as developing plugins for emerging e-commerce platforms) and formed strategic partnerships. In November 2020, for example, Novalnet partnered with Luxembourg-based Banking Circle to enhance cross-border settlement for its clients, enabling like-for-like settlements in 24 currencies and reducing foreign exchange costs for merchants [9] . This partnership exemplified Novalnet’s strategy of leveraging financial infrastructure providers to improve its global payment network.

Services

Novalnet offers a comprehensive suite of payment and fintech services through a unified cloud-based platform. Its core offering is payment processing for e-commerce and brick-and-mortar businesses, supporting over 150 payment methods (including credit cards, SEPA direct debit, digital wallets, bank transfers, invoices, and alternative payments) in 125+ currencies. The platform functions as a payment gateway and licensed acquirer, enabling merchants to accept payments globally with full compliance and security. Key services and features provided by Novalnet include:

Together, these offerings make Novalnet a one-stop payment partner where merchants can obtain payment processing, fraud prevention, billing, and collection services under a single contractnovalnet.comsoftware-journal.de. The platform’s all-in-one nature eliminates the need for merchants to sign multiple contracts with banks, acquirers, gateways, and service agencies – reducing cost and complexity. Novalnet’s solution is used by businesses ranging from small e-commerce sites to large enterprises, as well as by software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers and mobile app platforms requiring embedded payment functionalitynovalnet.com. The company supports industry-specific payment needs too (for example, compliance solutions for cashback and loyalty program providers, and outstaffing platforms) by tailoring its modules to those use casesnovalnet.comnovalnet.com.

Technology and Platform

Novalnet operates a cloud-based payment platform that merchants can integrate into their online stores, mobile apps, or enterprise systems. The platform is built with a focus on flexibility and developer-friendliness, providing various integration methods:

Overall, Novalnet’s technology stack serves as a payment orchestration platform, meaning it consolidates various payment methods and services and orchestrates their execution through one interface. Developers can integrate once with Novalnet and gain access to a multitude of payment options and financial services. This approach simplifies maintenance (merchants don’t need to separately integrate new payment methods or compliance features; Novalnet adds them to the platform). The company’s focus on modular, API-driven design and partnerships has helped it remain adaptable as the payments landscape evolves.

Growth and Expansion

Novalnet cooperates with Airbus.png

Novalnet has steadily expanded its global footprint through new offices and strategic partnerships. In April 2024, the company announced a major partnership with Airbus SE , whereby Airbus selected Novalnet as its worldwide payment service provider after a Europe-wide tender process. The agreement, signed at Airbus’s showroom in Munich, enables Novalnet to handle online payments for Airbus’s digital commerce channels globally, helping streamline the aerospace firm’s e-commerce sales and customer payment experiencenovalnet.comnovalnet.com. Airbus cited Novalnet’s extensive interfaces to booking/billing systems and its status as a regulated German payment institute as key factors in the decision [30] . This deal illustrates Novalnet’s growing penetration into enterprise-level clients; by 2024, the company was processing payments for over 13,000 merchants worldwide, covering large multinational customers alongside SMEsnovalnet.com.

In addition to direct client wins, Novalnet has pursued partnerships to extend its geographic reach. In August 2024, it expanded a strategic alliance with UK-based payment provider emerchantpay to enter the United States market [31] . Building on their successful collaboration in Europe, this partnership allows Novalnet to leverage emerchantpay’s acquiring capabilities and payment infrastructure in North America. By facilitating U.S. payment acceptance through emerchantpay’s platform, Novalnet aims to accelerate its merchant growth in the region and offer its European clients access to the U.S. market with local support. Novalnet’s Chief Operating Officer described the U.S. expansion as a vital part of the company’s growth strategy, enabling it to develop tailored solutions for American merchants while maintaining operational efficiencies.

Regionally, Novalnet now serves clients across 120+ countries spanning Europe, North America, Asia, and other regions [32] . The company’s headquarters remains in Bavaria (Garching near Munich), and it has international subsidiaries including Novalnet Ltd. in the UK, Novalnet Payment Corp. in the US, and Novalnet E-Solutions Pvt. Ltd. in India, as well as an innovation hub in Bangalorenovalnet.comnovalnet.com. This global presence allows Novalnet to offer region-specific payment options and on-the-ground expertise. For example, its European operation supports SEPA and local payment methods across the EU, while its Indian development center contributes to technical R&D and support. The leadership team is likewise internationally composed, supporting the 200+ staff across these locations.

Novalnet’s client portfolio includes companies from a wide range of industries. Notable customers (in addition to Airbus) and partners include e-commerce retailers, SaaS providers, utilities, and nonprofits. The company publicly lists enterprises such as Adidas, Allianz, Deutsche Telekom, Hilti, Munich Airport, Shell, Hansgrohe, and AB InBev among the many brands utilizing its payment services [33] . Through its affiliate programs and reseller partnerships, Novalnet’s platform is also offered by web agencies and IT integrators as an embedded payment module for their clients. This broad network and the ability to cater to different markets have been key to Novalnet’s sustained growth on a global scale.

Licenses and Compliance

As a payment institution, Novalnet is subject to strict regulatory oversight and industry standards. The company holds the necessary licenses and certifications to operate its services securely and legally across the markets it serves:

Novalnet also pursues additional certifications and industry standards. For instance, the company’s software carries the “Software Made in Germany” and “Software Hosted in Germany” quality seals (awarded by German IT associations) since 2019, underscoring its commitment to German quality standards and local data hosting [43] . In 2023, Novalnet announced it had achieved SOC 2 Type II certification for its services, indicating that an independent audit confirmed the effectiveness of its security and availability controls (a certification often important for enterprise clients). Moreover, Novalnet joined the United Nations Global Compact initiative in 2023 as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, aligning with international principles on human rights, labor standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. These steps reflect a broader compliance and ethics posture as the company scales.

ESG and Sustainability Initiatives

Novalnet has increasingly emphasized environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in its operations. In January 2025, the company received an ESG certification with an overall score of “B – Good” on the Synesgy sustainability platform (managed by CRIF)novalnet.denovalnet.de. This independent ESG rating confirms that Novalnet meets national and international best-practice standards in environmental impact, social responsibility, and corporate governance, aligning with frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and EU Sustainability Reporting standardsnovalnet.de. As part of its sustainability efforts, Novalnet installed a large photovoltaic solar power system (≈360 kWp capacity) on the roof of its new headquarters in Garching. Operational since late 2024, this solar array produces around 330,000 kWh of green electricity per year, equivalent to the annual consumption of about 200 householdsnovalnet.de. The on-site renewable energy reduces over 500 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, making Novalnet’s operations near carbon-neutralnovalnet.denovalnet.de. Surplus solar power generated is fed into the public grid of the Munich region, contributing to the local supply of clean energynovalnet.de. According to CEO Gabriel Dixon, sustainability is a core part of Novalnet’s business model, and the company has set a goal to improve its ESG score to an “A” rating in the futurenovalnet.denovalnet.de. These steps – from green energy infrastructure to formal ESG auditing – highlight Novalnet’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and upholding social responsibility standards.

Awards and Recognition

Over the years, Novalnet AG has received multiple awards and honors, reflecting both its rapid growth and its reputation in the fintech and e-commerce industries:

Through these awards and recognitions, Novalnet has solidified its reputation in the fintech and payments industry as a reliable and innovative provider. Media coverage around the awards often points out Novalnet’s comprehensive approach (offering “360-degree” payment services) and its ability to grow without external funding as differentiators. The company is frequently cited as a successful example of a German fintech scaling up in a highly competitive field dominated by larger international players. For instance, in a 2021 interview, CEO Gabriel Dixon discussed how Novalnet, as a family-run firm, is “challenging industry giants” by focusing on tailored solutions and merchant support. This narrative of a customer-centric, technology-driven growth company is reinforced by the external accolades Novalnet has accumulated over time.

See also

References

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  33. "Our Clients". Novalnet. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  34. "Licenses". Novalnet. Retrieved 2025-09-09.
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