Ovanti Raises $8M, Secures Shift4 Partnership to Access 100,000+ U.S. Merchants
Ovanti Limited has made significant strides in its U.S. buy now, pay later (BNPL) expansion, securing a major partnership with Shift4 Payments and raising $8 million to fuel growth.
- Appointment of Peter Maher as U.S. CEO
- Three-year strategic partnership with Shift4 Payments covering 100,000+ merchants
- Key senior executive hires to support U.S. commercial and product operations
- Successful $8 million capital raise post-quarter
- Active participation at Money20/20 conference advancing new partnerships
Strategic Leadership and Market Entry
Ovanti Limited (ASX, OVT) has taken decisive steps to establish its presence in the competitive U.S. BNPL market. The appointment of Peter Maher, formerly a senior executive at Zip Co Limited, as CEO of its U.S. operations signals a focused leadership approach tailored to the nuances of the American payments landscape. Maher’s experience in enterprise merchant partnerships is expected to be instrumental as Ovanti scales its operations.
Major Partnership with Shift4 Payments
Central to Ovanti’s U.S. strategy is its newly inked minimum three-year partnership with Shift4 Payments Inc., a major player processing over USD 260 billion annually across North America. This agreement grants Ovanti access to Shift4’s extensive network of more than 100,000 merchants, providing a significant distribution channel for its BNPL services. Ovanti’s model, which leverages real-time cash flow and income data rather than traditional credit scores, aims to broaden consumer access to financing beyond the reach of incumbent BNPL providers.
Building a Robust Executive Team
To support this expansion, Ovanti has bolstered its U.S. leadership with the appointments of Barbara Badelt Ford as Senior Vice President, Commercial; Daniel Criselego as Senior Vice President, Merchant & Partner Operations; and Jacek Serafinski as Senior Vice President, Product & Engineering. Each brings deep expertise from leading fintech and retail companies, positioning Ovanti to deliver scalable, merchant-focused solutions and operational excellence.
Capital Raising and Market Engagement
Financially, Ovanti reported a cash balance of $1.7 million at the end of September 2025, down from $4.95 million the previous quarter, reflecting ongoing investment in growth initiatives. Post-quarter, the company successfully raised up to $8 million through a share placement, providing a vital capital injection to support its U.S. launch and operational scaling. Ovanti’s active presence at the Money20/20 conference in Las Vegas further underscores its commitment to forging new commercial partnerships and enhancing brand visibility within the U.S. fintech ecosystem.
Ongoing Challenges and Outlook
While Ovanti advances its U.S. ambitions, it continues to manage litigation matters in Malaysia and Australia, which remain unresolved. Nevertheless, the company expresses confidence in its growth trajectory and funding prospects, supported by institutional investor interest and strategic partnerships. The upcoming integration of Ovanti’s BNPL services into high-profile merchant platforms, including Speedway Motorsports’ e-commerce and the U.S. NASCAR Truck Series Race, highlights its intent to embed deeply within key U.S. commerce ecosystems.
Bottom Line?
Ovanti’s U.S. BNPL expansion is gaining momentum, but execution risks and litigation remain key watchpoints.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Ovanti’s BNPL model perform against established U.S. competitors in real-world merchant adoption?
- What are the financial terms and revenue expectations from the Shift4 Payments partnership?
- What progress will Ovanti make on its SPAC dual-listing and capitalisation plans in the coming quarters?
