Prague-based startup Tapaya is set to transform in-person payments with its innovative software infrastructure. The company enables merchants and software platforms to accept payments on standard commercial devices, eliminating dedicated hardware. This approach significantly reduces the cost and complexity traditionally associated with payment terminal integration.
Addressing a Fragmented Market
For decades, in-person transactions have relied on specialized hardware, creating significant operational hurdles for businesses. Integrating payment acceptance into software like POS systems is a notoriously lengthy and expensive process. These barriers are largely due to complex certification requirements and a fragmented underlying infrastructure.
The global SoftPOS market, valued at €336 million in 2024, is projected to grow rapidly, reflecting strong demand. Despite a rise in European contactless payments, existing systems struggle to support newer methods like digital wallets. This growing gap highlights the need for more agile and modern payment technologies.
A Software-Centric Solution
Tapaya addresses these challenges by consolidating compliance and certifications into a single, unified software layer. Its platform allows developers to embed payment functionality across Android and iOS devices with a simple SDK. This transforms standard tablets and kiosks into fully capable payment terminals without extra hardware.
By abstracting away regulatory complexities, Tapaya dramatically shortens implementation timelines from months down to just days. The platform connects to multiple processors and card schemes, giving partners unprecedented flexibility and control. This enables merchants to manage payments seamlessly within their existing operational software.
Strategic Vision and Investor Confidence
"We want accepting payments to be as simple as turning on a light," stated CEO Laura Ďorďová. She explained that merchants are tired of the complexity of managing separate hardware for transactions. Tapaya’s mission is to remove this friction by packaging the entire stack into one integrated feature.
Will Orde of Passion Capital highlighted the team's deep technical credibility and the underserved market they are targeting. He noted the founders' unique insight, having already navigated the difficult payments certification process. Orde emphasized that Tapaya is changing the access equation for the massive in-person payments market.
The company's potential is also recognized within its home region, with DEPO Ventures calling it a producer of "deep fintech infrastructure." Tapaya's early success is underscored by its acceptance into the Mastercard Lighthouse Programme. This recognition signals the growing strength of the Central European fintech ecosystem.
Future Roadmap and Expansion
The recent funding will be instrumental in completing Tapaya’s certification under the new PCI MPoC global security standard. This framework is crucial as it enables secure card acceptance on commercial devices. The investment also fuels the development of its in-house infrastructure to reduce third-party reliance.
Looking ahead, Tapaya plans to expand its partner network across Central and Eastern Europe, the Baltics, and beyond. The company is also preparing its platform to support future innovations like agentic payments and the digital Euro. This forward-looking strategy positions Tapaya to adapt to the evolving digital economy.
Tapaya is strategically positioned to redefine the in-person payment experience by replacing outdated hardware with a flexible, software-driven approach. By simplifying integration and championing new security standards, the company empowers businesses to build modern commerce solutions. Its platform represents a critical step forward in creating a more accessible and efficient payment ecosystem.