Flywire Acquires Sertifi for $330 Million to Enhance Travel Payments Business
Deal News | Feb 25, 2025 | Globenewswire
Flywire Corporation, a global payments enablement and software company, has acquired Sertifi, a software and payments platform that digitizes hospitality workflows and associated payments. This $330 million acquisition aims to bolster Flywire's position in the travel sector by integrating Sertifi's hospitality-specific solutions into its portfolio. Sertifi's integration with major hotel Property Management Systems allows Flywire to access over 20,000 hotel locations worldwide. The acquisition is anticipated to accelerate the monetization of Flywire’s travel payments business significantly. Flywire expects Sertifi to generate $35-40 million in revenue with similar gross margins in 2025, although the adjusted EBITDA margin will initially be lower due to investment plans. The strategic move is expected to unlock growth and innovation opportunities by leveraging Flywire's global network and Sertifi's experience in simplifying hotel workflows, thus enhancing service offerings for massive hotel brands and boutique accommodations alike.
Sectors
- Travel and Hospitality
- Financial Technology (FinTech)
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
Geography
- United States – Flywire is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and operates globally, with a significant presence in the U.S. market.
- Global – The acquisition impacts over 240 countries and territories where Flywire provides its services, and Sertifi’s integrations reach a worldwide network of hotels.
Industry
- Travel and Hospitality – The acquisition primarily affects the travel and hospitality industry, as it revolves around Flywire expanding its service offerings to include more hotel chains and accommodations globally.
- Financial Technology (FinTech) – Flywire’s business model of payments enablement and its integration with Sertifi's payments platform highlights key developments within the financial technology sector.
- Software as a Service (SaaS) – Sertifi operates a SaaS platform specifically for the hotel and hospitality industry, enabling efficient and secure processing of contracts and payments.
Financials
- $330 million – The purchase price Flywire paid to acquire Sertifi, funded through a combination of cash and debt.
- $35-40 million – Expected revenue contribution from Sertifi in FY 2025.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flywire Corporation | Bidding Company | Company | A global payments enablement and software company, focusing on complex payment solutions across various sectors. |
| Sertifi | Target Company | Company | A SaaS platform for the hotel and hospitality industry focusing on digitizing and streamlining payment and booking processes. |
| Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt | Clients | Company | Major hotel brands that use Sertifi’s platform for hotel operations including payments and contracts. |
| Sage Hospitality Group, Corinthia Hotel London | Clients | Company | Luxury independent hotels that utilize Sertifi’s software to handle contracts and payments. |