Ingenico Group, a point-of-sale (POS) and payment solutions giant, has acquired Think&Go NFC, a start-up provider of connected screens, just six years after launching, according to an Ingenico Group statement.

Think&Go NFC was on Ingenico’s radar after the development of its technology that helps enable versatile digital displays to interact with connected objects such as smartphones and transit passes. Consequently, these integrated screens are important for marketing tools and initiatives such as drive-to-store, couponing, loyalty programs, and downloads, across a variety of different industries. The startup has already been active in the French fintech realm.

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A partnership has existed between the two companies since 2015, when Ingenico Group and Think&Go NFC began utilizing contactless payment technology to turn digital advertising displays into genuine POS, helping advance Screen-Commerce. For merchants, this utility means an additional sales channel, operating in both retail outlets and public places.

Growth Driven Acquisition 

The acquisition is important as it will help Think&Go NFC tap into Ingenico Group’s global network and research and development (R&D) capabilities, which should fuel its growth for the foreseeable future.

According to Michel Léger, Executive Vice President (EVP) of Innovation at Ingenico Group and the Head of Ingenico Labs, in a recent statement about the acquisition: “We are confident that this solution will be a big hit with merchants. Integrating Think&Go NFC – which will still be managed by its founder, Vincent Berge – into Ingenico Labs gives us greater opportunity for expansion in the field of connected objects. This acquisition exemplifies the way we are implementing our Strategic Plan 2020, whose aim is to strengthen Ingenico Group’s leadership in omni-channel payment acceptance.”

“Connected screens are designed to keep pace with market trends driven by societal change. With their combination of payment features and marketing features, they hold tremendous potential. The power of Ingenico Group will enable us to accelerate uptake of connected screens and deliver seamless, matchless solutions to our customers,” noted Vincent Berge, the Chairman of Think&Go NFC.