US fintech BlueSnap opens Dublin HQ, appoints Eugene McCague
over 4 years in The Irish Times
US fintech company BlueSnap has opened a new European headquarters in Dublin and secured a payment institution license from the Central Bank to ensure there is no disruption to its services as a result of Brexit.
The all-in-one payments platform also said it has appointed former Arthur Cox managing partner Eugene McCague as its chairman of EU operations.
The company said while Britain’s exit from the European Union is the primary reason for the setting up of the office here, chief executive Ralph Dangelmaier stressed the operation would serve a key role as it expands in Europe.
Platform
Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, the company formally known as Plimus has developed a platform designed to increase sales and reduce costs for businesses. The solution supports 110 alternative payment methods, 100 currencies and 29 languages.
The company has raised $85 million (€70.2 million) to date and has about 160 employees globally. It was recently included on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 list of leading US companies after reporting a 261 per cent rise in growth year-on-year .
Mr Dangelmaier said Dublin was chosen as the location of its headquarters due to its reputation as “a global hub of fintech excellence, home to leading start-up accelerator programmes and technological innovation.”
“The opening of our new EU headquarters in Dublin marks an exciting milestone in BlueSnap’s international expansion, as well as a sign of our commitment to supporting customers both at a local market level and around the globe,” he said.
Acting as our European hub, the new HQ in Ireland has already helped us deliver a seamless transition for BlueSnap merchants operating in Europe, as Brexit came into effect at the start of January,” Mr Dangelmaier added.
Chairman
Mr McCague served as managing partner of from 1999 to 2003, and as chairman from 2006 to 2013. He officially retired from the law firm in 2017. Mr McCague, who was recently named chairman of Alzheimer Society of Ireland, as extensive governance experience, having advised many boards of public, private, and state companies, including the HSE and DIT. He is a former president of Dublin Chamber of Commerce and is currently the chairman of business group Ibec.
“With more businesses than ever opening their eyes to the advantages of all-in-one payment solutions and the operational benefits this can drive, there’s a huge opportunity to transform the way firms do business for the better. I’m delighted to be joining BlueSnap at this exciting time in its growth and proud to be driving this step change across Europe,” he said.