Finshape Acquires Majority Stake in Central Europe’s Leading Innovation Agency, Direct People

By integrating Direct People’s expertise, Finshape aims to extend its proposition with human-centred design and further strengthen its position with new AI-driven solutions and proper adoptions. Direct People brings years of experience helping institutions from various business areas define and launch new digital products and services while providing digital consulting to drive innovation. This acquisition completes Finshape’s service offering, enabling the company to step into the innovation cycle of its clients at an earlier stage and deliver better digital experiences to the end customers of banks.

“Acquiring Direct People is a natural next step in Finshape’s journey. Their expertise in innovation and digital transformation complements our mission to help banks deliver superior digital experiences. Together, we will be able to introduce end-to-end solutions and consulting services at the heart of our clients’ innovation cycles, from a human-centred design of end-user experiences to the complete technology coverage,” said Petr Koutny, CEO of Finshape.

An Organic Step Forward for Both Companies

The acquisition is an organic step in Finshape’s and Direct People’s growth plans. While Direct People will gain larger international exposure and access to high-scale enterprise projects, Finshape will benefit from enhanced innovation consulting capabilities that it can bring to its global client base. The addition of Direct People’s human-centred design services will allow Finshape to have an even greater impact on millions of banking customers around the world.

The acquisition of Direct People aligns with Finshape’s buy-and-build growth strategy, developed in partnership with PortfoLion, a leading regional venture capital and growth equity firm. This strategy is designed to accelerate Finshape’s growth through targeted acquisitions that enhance its service offerings and expand its market reach. By integrating innovation-focused companies like Direct People, Finshape strengthens its position as a comprehensive digital banking solutions provider. The management team is committed to nurturing this strategy, actively seeking further opportunities to expand Finshape’s capabilities while leveraging the expertise and financial background provided by PortfoLion to fuel continued organic and acquisitive growth in the coming years.

“Central Eastern Europe is in several aspects ahead of the global mainstream when considering banking innovation; we still see vast potential in revolutionising the digital banking experience for regional customers. That’s why we stood firmly behind the management when Finshape was created and are delighted to see Finshape’s first acquisition with Direct People,” told Jenő Nieder, Deputy CEO of PortfoLion Capital Partners.

New Business Line and Future Vision

Direct People will operate as a new, independent business line within Finshape while working closely with the company’s existing operations. This collaboration will ensure that both companies leverage their combined strengths to offer even more tailored and innovative solutions to financial institutions.

“This partnership gives us the opportunity to take our innovation expertise into a global space. Joining forces with Finshape will allow us to make a meaningful impact at scale, helping banks and financial institutions embrace the future of digital transformation,” said Michal Kalousek, CEO of Direct People.

Finshape’s management is committed to aligning the value propositions of both companies and identifying synergies across their service and client portfolios. The goal is to start 2025 with a fully integrated service pool that will make Finshape an even more attractive partner for banks and financial institutions worldwide.

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About Finshape

Finshape is a leading provider of digital banking and personalisation solutions. Formed through the merger of Czech BSC and Hungarian W.UP in 2021, the company helps financial institutions in CEE and MENA regions harness the power of technology to drive customer engagement, boost operational efficiency, and accelerate their digital transformation.

About Direct People

Direct People, founded in the Czech Republic, is a pioneering innovation agency specialising in helping businesses and financial institutions define, develop, and deliver innovative products and services. With a strong focus on digital transformation, Direct People has been a trusted partner for companies across Central Europe.

About PortfoLion Capital Partners

PortfoLion is a CEE-focused venture capital (VC) and growth equity firm with a value of EUR 450 million assets under management. Backed by OTP GROUP (one of the largest banking groups in the Central and Eastern European region), PortfoLion manages funds with a sector-agnostic approach and invests in companies with sizeable upscale potential from early stage