Sidetrade Enhances Global Growth with EzyCollect Acquisition
Sidetrade has achieved a significant milestone in its mission to expand worldwide.
As a recognized leader in AI-driven Order-to-Cash solutions, Sidetrade has made an exciting announcement regarding its latest endeavor. The company has officially signed binding agreements to acquire 100% of EzyCollect, an innovative player operating in Australia and New Zealand, renowned for its expertise in Order-to-Cash management tailored for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs).
Already a dominant force in Europe and ranking as one of the top three leaders in North America, Sidetrade is now set to broaden its reach into the Asia-Pacific market with EzyCollect. This merger aims to empower thousands of SMBs across both hemispheres by harnessing the strength of agentic AI, supported by an extensive corporate payment behavior Data Lake unique in the industry.
“During my time in Sydney, I was truly impressed by the insight and innovation demonstrated by the EzyCollect teams, as well as their vision for the mid-market,” said Olivier Novasque, founder and CEO of Sidetrade. “With EzyCollect, we have all the necessary components to realize our global aspirations. This acquisition not only grants us immediate access to the dynamic Asia-Pacific market but also allows us to better serve our multinational clients’ subsidiaries in the region. The total addressable market for EzyCollect's solutions is vast, presenting a significant opportunity for our agentic AI. AI solutions will particularly benefit this market segment, where effective cash management is vital, yet many companies struggle to establish dedicated Order-to-Cash teams. By melding EzyCollect’s user-friendly deployment with our powerful AI technology, we aim to launch mid-market solutions across all existing operational areas, marking a pivotal advancement in Sidetrade’s global strategy.
EzyCollect: The Champion of Order-to-Cash Solutions for SMBs
Established in 2014, EzyCollect has quickly become a leading SaaS provider in the Order-to-Cash sector, specifically targeting the mid-market. With a growing team of 53 employees, over 1,100 client companies, and an impressive A$19 billion in B2B receivables managed through its platform, EzyCollect has solidified its position as the premier choice in Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, the company has initiated its expansion into the U.S. market.
EzyCollect's effectiveness is illustrated by its remarkable results. Typically, within 90 days, clients experience a 40% reduction in late payments and an 80% decline in bad debt. Its success can be attributed to several key elements:
- Comprehensive O2C cycle coverage encompassing credit risk management, debt collection, and payment processing;
- Advanced electronic payment technologies, driving growth amid the increasing digitalization of B2B transactions;
- Exceptional customer retention, demonstrated by an 89% gross retention rate;
- Robust business growth, with a 28% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past three years.
Looking ahead, EzyCollect forecasts approximately A$14 million in revenue for the upcoming fiscal year, marking a 28% increase from the previous year. The company, while funding its substantial growth, is on track to achieve operational breakeven by as early as 2025. This highlights the stability of its recurring revenue model and its robust cost management practices.
Further projections anticipate EzyCollect’s revenue will reach A$18 million by 2026, featuring a projected growth rate of 29%. The synergy from integrating EzyCollect’s services in all Sidetrade territories, particularly in Europe and the U.S., coupled with the incorporation of Sidetrade’s AI capabilities into EzyCollect offerings, is expected to significantly boost revenue moving forward.
To maintain the entrepreneurial spirit and mid-market focus that has driven EzyCollect's success, its management will predominantly oversee the launch of the new AI solution, EzyCollect by Sidetrade, aimed at supporting SMBs in all operational regions.
The official integration of EzyCollect into Sidetrade is set to take effect retroactively as of October 1, 2025. By the following year, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to contribute nearly 13% of Sidetrade's consolidated revenue, which will fortify its global profile. France's contribution is expected to reduce to around 25% of total revenue by 2026, marking a new balance that enhances sustainability against regional economic fluctuations and bolsters long-term growth potential.
Embracing Asia-Pacific: A New Frontier for SMBs and B2B Payments
The global market for Order-to-Cash solutions is projected to reach US$8.8 billion by 2030, with an average annual growth rate of 12.9%. This acquisition positions Sidetrade strategically to harness opportunities across three continents:
- Europe, its traditional core market;
- North America, bolstered by the earlier acquisition of CreditPoint Software;
- Asia-Pacific, with EzyCollect becoming the main regional base.
This new headquarters will empower Sidetrade to efficiently operate across all time zones, further enhancing its global service model.
A New Horizon for Sidetrade's Agentic AI
As the financial landscape transforms, businesses are beginning to adopt AI agents—technology that can learn and make decisions autonomously. Sidetrade’s AI, Aimie, is pioneering this field by facilitating autonomous financial processes for businesses, creating systems that self-optimize without necessitating human involvement.
This partnership will enable EzyCollect to champion the introduction of agentic AI to mid-market enterprises, which often experience limitations due to fewer resources. The addition of over 1,100 clients, increasing at nearly 30% each year, to Sidetrade’s portfolio is invaluable.
Through the integration of Aimie, EzyCollect's customers will gain the power to operate with enterprise-level functions, enabling efficiency without the need for additional staffing. Aimie acts as a reliable support system, managing routine tasks such as alerting clients, tracking invoices, identifying delays, and adapting to evolving scenarios effortlessly.
“Joining Sidetrade is an exciting milestone for EzyCollect and a tremendous advantage for all mid-market companies that we serve,” stated Arjun Singh, CEO and co-founder of EzyCollect. “We take pride in partnering with the industry leader in the Order-to-Cash domain, particularly in the realm of agentic AI. This collaboration will enhance our clients' capabilities, fostering innovation while preserving our agile culture and client-friendly approach.”
Sidetrade will offer two complementary solutions—Augmented Cash, designed for large enterprises and recognized by Gartner® as a leader, and EzyCollect by Sidetrade, focused on the mid-market. Collectively, they will address the entire O2C spectrum from small businesses to multinational corporations, harnessing innovation, operational excellence, and geographical outreach to foster both technological and commercial synergies.
“We are thrilled to welcome EzyCollect’s team to Sidetrade,” added Olivier Novasque. “This collaboration goes beyond geographical boundaries; it unites two teams with aligned values and a shared vision: to redefine the future of Order-to-Cash. By aggregating proprietary payment behavior data globally, we will enhance the intelligence of our Aimie agents, ensuring superior performance across various business sizes and structures.”
Sidetrade's vast Data Lake, the most extensive repository of B2B corporate payment behavior globally, analyzing US$7.2 trillion in transactions, will see substantial enrichment from EzyCollect’s mid-market data. This influx will provide Aimie with critical insights, improving its regional knowledge of intercompany credit dynamics and optimizing its algorithms’ self-sufficiency. Data collected in Sydney or Wellington will inform decisions made in cities like Paris, London, or Houston, demonstrating a distributed machine learning loop where each transaction contributes to shared intelligence, enhancing overall agility and precision.
Positioning Sidetrade for the Future of B2B Payments
From Sidetrade's perspective, an essential advancement will arise from integrating EzyCollect’s payment digitalization capabilities into its platform. This incorporation will expand the functional scope of Augmented Cash, providing a fully digitalized solution that manages the entire process—from order placement to payment collection, including e-invoicing features.
This functionality will position Sidetrade at the forefront of the rapidly growing electronic payments sector, which is reshaping the digital customer experience. The ultimate aim is to facilitate seamless cash flow management and create avenues for the global monetization of B2B transactions.
A Pivotal Acquisition for Sidetrade
The pending acquisition involves 100% of EzyCollect’s share capital, making it Sidetrade's tenth acquisition overall and the most substantial in terms of scale and valuation. It marks a strategic milestone in the firm’s international growth journey.
This deal carries an estimated value of approximately €37 million, which includes an initial closing payment, along with a potential earn-out based on revenue performance through 2028.
Based on EzyCollect's projections for 2026, the enterprise value valuation reflects about 3.7 times its anticipated revenue, a fair multiple for a rapidly growing SaaS company nearing profitability.
The cash component of this acquisition will be financed through a mix of Sidetrade’s available cash reserves and a long-term bank loan of €25 million, with a fixed interest rate of approximately 3.1%, secured through hedging measures.
As of the end of June, Sidetrade held a treasury of €48.7 million, inclusive of €21.5 million in treasury shares, showing robust financial health prior to this transaction.
The financing strategy ensures Sidetrade retains a strong cash position while maintaining the capacity for future growth opportunities, all while upholding fiscal responsibility.
Sidetrade anticipates the acquisition of EzyCollect to finalize within the forthcoming weeks, pending standard closing conditions.
Legal guidance for Sidetrade was provided by King & Spalding LLP. EzyCollect received counsel from U.S. investment bank AGC Partners and the law firm Thomson Geer.
Contact Information for Media Inquiries
Oli Thornton +44 7933 108 107 oli.thornton@sidetrade.com
Investor Relations at Sidetrade
Christelle Dhrif +33 6 10 46 72 00 cdhrif@sidetrade.com
About Sidetrade (Euronext Growth: ALBFR.PA)
Sidetrade is a pioneering SaaS platform poised to transform cash flow management. By leveraging its advanced agentic AI—Aimie—Sidetrade systematically analyzes a staggering $7.2 trillion worth of daily B2B payment transactions. This innovative approach anticipates customer payment behaviors and the risks associated with 40 million buyers worldwide. With more than 400 skilled professionals operating in Europe, the U.S., and Canada, Sidetrade supports businesses across over 85 countries, including prominent clients like AGFA, BMW Financial Services, and Siemens.
For further insights, visit Sidetrade's website: www.sidetrade.com.
About EzyCollect
Founded in 2014, EzyCollect specializes in streamlining accounts receivable and B2B payments for SMBs. With a diverse portfolio of over 1,100 clients and managing A$18 billion in receivables, EzyCollect is positioned as the leader in mid-market Order-to-Cash solutions in the Asia-Pacific region.
In case of discrepancies, the original French version of this release will take precedence.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does Sidetrade's acquisition of EzyCollect mean for future growth?
Sidetrade's acquisition of EzyCollect marks a pivotal expansion into Asia-Pacific, bolstering its regional presence and customer outreach while leveraging AI capabilities.
2. How does EzyCollect benefit small and mid-sized businesses?
EzyCollect provides an efficient platform that reduces late payments and bad debt, which is crucial for SMBs striving for better cash flow management.
3. What is the expected timeline for the acquisition to finalize?
Sidetrade anticipates closing the acquisition of EzyCollect within the upcoming weeks, subject to standard closing conditions.
4. How will this acquisition impact existing EzyCollect clients?
Existing EzyCollect clients will gain access to enhanced AI-driven features while maintaining the customer-focused service they expect.
5. What is the strategic importance of the Asia-Pacific region for Sidetrade?
The Asia-Pacific region represents a fast-growing market for Order-to-Cash solutions, offering substantial growth potential and opportunities for Sidetrade's services.
