Nexi Extends Partnership with Reply to Launch European Innovation Hub

Nexi Group is extending its partnership with Italian digital transformation firm Reply to launch Nexi Digital, a European hub for technological innovation, according to a press release emailed to PYMNTS on Monday (Dec. 13).

The move aligns with Nexi Group’s aim to rely on internal strategic capabilities rather than continue outsourcing. Nexi Digital is being positioned to be a center of excellence for Nexi Group at a European level. The company plans to further invest in skills and technology to develop software in-house for digital payment products.

One of the main goals of Nexi Digital is attracting talent, specifically young people with engineering, digital or related degrees. The company anticipates adding 500 additional employees, with 350 being new hires.

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“Nexi Digital allows us to further accelerate our growth in Europe, investing in skills and innovation with the aim of creating cutting-edge technological solutions in the digital payments market, with particular attention to under-penetrated markets such as Italy and Poland,” said Paolo Bertoluzzo, CEO of Nexi Group.

“Recruiting young talent and partnering with universities and research centers both strengthens our links to the countries in which we operate and reflects our desire to contribute to the spread of digital innovation in our country and in Europe, the main driver of economic development,” Bertoluzzo added.

Nexi Digital is planning to use new hires over the next four years to work in high-growth locations like Italy, which is Nexi’s headquarters, and Poland. Some 180 people will be based in Milan, at Nexi’s headquarters, 120 in Bari, Italy, and 200 in Katowice, Poland. The 150 new employees will be hired across 2022.

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“Reply leads digital transformation and the design of new connected products,” said Tatiana Rizzante, CEO of Reply.

“In financial services, we are developing unique competencies and assets that enable our customers to accelerate the transition to new digital business models,” she said.

Rizzante added that the company will collaborate with Nexi Group to put the “most advanced digital technology at work in Nexi Digital towards the goal of building a new cashless economy.”