mpe awards categories sponsors
Want to get exposure at the mpe awards? We offer a range of sponsorship opportunities.
mpe awards media partners
As the MPE 2024 Awards Chair, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the prestigious Merchant Payment Ecosystem Awards for the 17th Annual Conference for the Payments Industry, organised by the Empiria Group.
Last year, the conference was even bigger and better! We had a new design, more floor space here at the Intercontinental Berlin, 1,300 attendees, 163 speakers and 40 sessions. We also had new and spectacular audio-visual technology, and MPE was the first event worldwide to use it! Our gala ceremony was James Bond-schemed, and Alex Rolfe, my co-host for the evening, and I had such fun with the choreography and puns, and of course the outfits... You can see it all here.
You could definitely feel the energy and buzz in the air and I look forward to welcoming you all in person in Berlin in March 2024!
- featuring 12 categories
Winners will be selected by the panel of independent expert judges.
- featuring 1 category
mpe influencer of the year
The winner will be determined via public online voting.
- featuring 1 category
best start-up innovation award
Winner will be determined by Innovation hub judges & mpe audience
Jeremy King, Regional Head for Europe @ PCI SSC
Category sponsored by:
Open to any provider who has a direct relationship with merchants for Payment Acceptance. The award will go to the provider who can demonstrate a successful, sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship with their merchant customers.
During the prestigious mpe awards gala ceremony, part of the annual Merchant Payments Ecosystem (mpe) conference, Checkout.com was announced as the winner in the "merchant payment acceptance of the year" category.
According to the criteria, in the "merchant payment acceptance of the year" category, the award goes to a provider who can demonstrate a successful, sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship with their merchant customers.
"The winner’s solution is an AI-powered optimisation engine designed to address a critical challenge faced by e-commerce merchants: optimising acceptance rates. By analyzing billions of data points, this fledgling product has already achieved impressive results, securing up to 9.5% increases a range of blue-chip clients. They also offer dynamic routing in markets with multiple networks, minimizing costs for clients and all transactions undergo 3DS authentication to ensure compliance. In essence, the winner answers key questions for e-commerce merchants: how to enhance acceptance levels and reduce costs?" Neira Jones, the chairman of the mpe 2024 awards judging panel
"We are incredibly humbled to be recognized by the mpe experts as the best merchant payment acceptance provider. Performance is a key focus for us, and this recognition motivates us to further strive for even more excellence, as there is so much more to be done to help our customers grow and expand globally."
Meron Colbeci, chief product officer at Checkout.com
Category sponsored by:
This award goes to the provider of an innovative solution that demonstrates tangible merchant and customer benefits regarding fraud prevention, identity, or authentication.
During the prestigious mpe awards gala ceremony, part of the annual Merchant Payments Ecosystem (mpe) conference, DataDome was announced as the winner in the "most innovative fraud prevention solution" category.
According to the criteria, in the "most innovative fraud prevention solution" category, the award goes to a provider of an innovative solution that demonstrates tangible merchant and customer benefits regarding fraud prevention, identity, or authentication.
"The winner is a machine learning, multi-channel fraud solution that materially improves customer and merchant lives. The judges were impressed by the strong metrics and use cases which superbly illustrated high detection & prevention rates. The benefits for merchants are significant including reduced losses, stronger balance sheets and improved reputations. The wide scope of fraud identification, including BOT detection across multiple interfaces, is compelling and serves merchants and their customers well. Equally impressive is the ethos of continuous learning and development to hone the solution to provide the highest levels of fraud protection in this fast paced environment."
Neira Jones, the chairman of the mpe 2024 awards judging panel.
"DataDome is honored to be crowned 'most innovative fraud prevention solution' at this year's mpe awards! This recognition is a testament to our team's unwavering commitment to driving innovation and implementing industry-leading online fraud protection. We are proud to lead the charge in creating a more secure and seamless digital ecosystem for merchants and their customers worldwide."
Benjamin Barrier, chief strategy officer & co-founding team member, DataDome
Category sponsored by:
This award goes to the company that uses Data Analytics or AI to support merchants in any way that is NOT involved in Fraud prevention and may cover areas such as loyalty, customer engagement, customer & merchant support/service, optimisation, etc.
During the prestigious mpe awards gala ceremony, part of the annual Merchant Payments Ecosystem (mpe) conference, Primer was announced as the winner in the "best use of data analytics" category.
According to the criteria, in the "best use of data analytics" category, the award goes to a company that uses Data Analytics or AI to support merchants in any way that is NOT involved in Fraud prevention and may cover areas such as loyalty, customer engagement, customer & merchant support/service, optimisation, etc.
"The winning solution triumphed for its comprehensive payment flow optimisation through the swift analysis of influential data points impacting authorisation rates. By identifying the optimal transaction processing route, merchants get fewer declines and up to a 5% increase in accepted transactions. Not only enhancing customer satisfaction and boosting merchant sales conversions and revenues, it also enhances 3DS usage and optimises the presentation of payment methods during checkout, streamlining transaction routing and authorisation. A groundbreaking innovation in the payments landscape!"
Neira Jones, the chairman of the mpe 2024 awards judging panel
"It's super exciting to win the mpe best use of data ward. This project was a huge team effort and - as a result - we've developed the biggest innovation that the payments industry has seen in recent years. UpliftAI leverages the latest technology and is used across multiple payment processors, which has never been achieved before. We're delighted to be recognised for an innovation that is being used by our merchants today, and many to come in the future."
Gabriel Le Roux, co-founder & CEO at Primer
Category sponsored by:
This award goes to solution providers that support merchants to grow revenue by opening up and expanding sales across borders while reducing risks and complexities.
During the prestigious mpe awards gala ceremony, part of the annual Merchant Payments Ecosystem (mpe) conference, Rapyd was announced as the winner in the "best cross-border merchant solution" category.
According to the criteria, in the "best cross-border merchant solution" category, the award goes to solution providers that support merchants to grow revenue by opening up and expanding sales across borders while reducing risks and complexities.
"The winner of this award is a global network specialising in cross-border payments. They enable seamless sending and receiving of funds worldwide, accepting over 900 payment methods. As a leader in cross-border activity, this company also offers value-added services such as money management and foreign exchange solutions, counting amongst its clients brands such as Ikea, Paysafe, and Hotmart."
Neira Jones, the chairman of the mpe 2024 awards judging panel
"mpe's recognition with the best cross-border merchant solution award is a strong validation of Rapyd's leadership in payments and fintech. This win fuels our mission to empower businesses with both our established multi-regional card acquiring and seamless cross-border solutions, unlocking new avenues for global growth."
Sarel Tal, VP acquiring partnerships at Rapyd
Category sponsored by:
This award goes to the organisation that has developed/deployed the most innovative in-store payment acceptance solution, providing value and differentiation for merchants and a great payments experience for customers in a face-to-face environment.
During the prestigious mpe awards gala ceremony, part of the annual Merchant Payments Ecosystem (mpe) conference, dejamobile was announced as the winner in the "best in-store payments solution" category.
According to the criteria, in the "best in-store payments solution" category, the award goes to an organisation that has developed/deployed the most innovative in-store payment acceptance solution, providing value and differentiation for merchants and a great payments experience for customers in a face-to-face environment.
"The winner demonstrated a high level of innovation and uniqueness in their award submission which was backed up by evidence of adoption from large banks, financial institutions, merchant acquirers and enterprise merchants. These customers also provided positive feedback and testimonials to support the quality of the winning solution and how it is helping deliver an improved customer experience."
Neira Jones, the chairman of the mpe 2024 awards judging panel
"At dejamobile, we are truly honoured to receive the mpe award for the best in-store payments solution. This is a recognition of our commitment to excellence and the successful SoftPOS implementations across multiple countries in Europe and Latin America. It is this dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction that has earned us this prestigious award.
Our solution is truly revolutionizing the way merchants enhance the in-store consumer journey. We are proud to offer unparalleled user convenience, operational excellence, and cost efficiency.
I thank you for recognizing the impact of our technology on the industry. I also want to extend our gratitude to all our clients for their valuable feedback that has helped us enhance our solution. Finally a big thank you to all my colleagues at dejamobile - your dedication, expertise, and hard work are truly appreciated and essential to our success. Thank you all!"
Houssem Assadi, CEO and co-founder, dejamobile
Category sponsored by:
This award goes to the organization offering the best, most comprehensive, most useful platform or marketplace supporting merchants or other players in the merchant payments ecosystem such as banks, PSP, service providers, consumers with solutions in any area of the ecosystem.
During the prestigious mpe awards gala ceremony, part of the annual Merchant Payments Ecosystem (mpe) conference, Deutsche Bank was announced as the winner in the "best platform / marketplace provider" category.
According to the criteria, in the "best platform / marketplace provider" category, the award goes to an organization offering the best, most comprehensive, most useful platform or marketplace supporting merchants or other players in the merchant payments ecosystem, such as banks, PSP, service providers, and consumers, with solutions in any area of the ecosystem.
"The judges recognised this winner as the premier marketplace payment company as their distinct offering showcased both their global legacy and their commitment to aiding clients in adapting to evolving market needs. The submission emphasized their focus on treasury, counterparty risk management, and compliance. Notably, their case studies spanned various sectors, demonstrating their capabilities in handling multi-currency transactions, escrow services, and the implementation of user-friendly interfaces. Their innovative approach to addressing intricate payment challenges, such as split payments and detailed financial reporting, significantly elevated the user experience."
Neira Jones, the chairman of the mpe 2024 awards judging panel
"It's an honor for our franchise to be recognized as the leading provider of marketplace payment solutions, driving our clients' business models forward through innovative and cutting-edge offerings in an ever-evolving environment. This acknowledgment validates our strategy and vision," said Matthaeus Sielecki, global head of embedded finance solutions, Deutsche Bank.
"This not only recognizes our expertise in cash management, risk, payment acceptance, and technology but also serves as a strong confirmation of Deutsche Bank's role as a strategic and trusted partner throughout the entire payments value chain."
Category sponsored by:
This award goes to the company that best uses open banking data or provides a payment initiation solution that drives end- user payments to or from merchants or to create a better customer experience as part of the payment process.
During the prestigious mpe awards gala ceremony, part of the annual Merchant Payments Ecosystem (mpe) conference, Token.io was announced as the winner in the "best use of open banking for payments" category.
According to the criteria, in the "best use of open banking for payments" category, the award goes to a company that best uses open banking data or provides a payment initiation solution that drives end-user payments to or from merchants or creates a better customer experience as part of the payment process.
"The winner of this award goes to a company that combined best-in-class connectivity with robust, white label-ready infrastructure to leverage open banking to make account-to-account payments a mainstream payment method, creating a better customer experience as part of the payment process."
Neira Jones, the chairman of the mpe 2024 awards judging panel
"We are honoured to be recognised for the best use of open banking for payments, highlighting the transformative role Token.io plays in the payment industry. In collaboration with our exceptional partners - Europe's leading payments companies -we are excited to realise our vision of making Pay by Bank a mainstream payment method across Europe. We extend our gratitude to our team for their commitment to exceeding expectations and delivering a best-in-class solution, and to the Merchant Payment Ecosystem Awards for acknowledging our efforts. We remain committed to leveraging the power of open banking to push the boundaries of what's possible in payments."
Dr Lea Maria Siering, chief risk & compliance officer and managing director for Token.io
Category sponsored by:
This award goes to any technology provider helping merchants, issuers or acquirers to streamline their regulatory compliance operations, covering either (or both) regulations and industry standards. This may include regulatory reporting, risk management, identity management & control, compliance and transaction monitoring, fraud, security, etc.
During the prestigious mpe awards gala ceremony, part of the annual Merchant Payments Ecosystem (mpe) conference, ID-Pal was announced as the winner in the "best regtech solution" category.
According to the criteria, in the "best regtech solution" category, the award goes to a technology provider helping merchants, issuers or acquirers to streamline their regulatory compliance operations, covering either (or both) regulations and industry standards. This may include regulatory reporting, risk management, identity management & control, compliance and transaction monitoring, fraud, security, etc.
"This company revolutionises identity verification, merging advanced biometric, document, and database checks with seamless AML and KYC compliance. Customers' journeys are pre-built, and its platform is designed to accelerate digital transformation by simplifying integration, reducing costs, and enhancing decision-making. Their no-code, customisable approach ensures a smooth onboarding experience, prioritising user convenience and security. With robust data encryption, They guarantee the utmost protection of sensitive information, establishing a trusted user environment. They exemplify innovation and efficiency, making it a worthy RegTech winner for the digital age."
Neira Jones, the chairman of the mpe 2024 awards judging panel
"Just how easily ID-Pal sits at the core of the payment's ecosystem is recognised by winning best regtech solution at the 2024 mpe awards. Being able to service such a diverse range of providers with ease, offering robust data security standards, real-time verification and 100% AI-powered technology is what sets us apart. Providers with the most complex processes can integrate us seamlessly and take advantage of our award-winning highly configurable user journey. From our first nomination in 2017, to now marking our eight-year anniversary with this win, is a powerful reminder that a focus on user experience while striving for the highest security standards is an unbeatable mix."
Colum Lyons, CEO of ID-Pal
Category sponsored by:
This award goes to the provider that unifies the various aspects of payments processing and enables merchants to optimise their payment processes and simplify ongoing payments acceptance management.
During the prestigious mpe awards gala ceremony, part of the annual Merchant Payments Ecosystem (mpe) conference, WLPayments was announced as the winner in the "best payments orchestration solution" category.
According to the criteria, in the "best payments orchestration solution" category, the award goes to a provider that unifies the various aspects of payments processing and enables merchants to optimise their payment processes and simplify ongoing payments acceptance management.
"The best payment orchestration solution award was rightfully bestowed on this company for several compelling reasons. Their comprehensive payment orchestration suite stands out, offering a wide range of features seamlessly orchestrated when needed. Beyond intelligent routing, it includes recurring payments, 3DS routing, a robust fraud solution, and reconciliation. Notably, their platform incorporates innovative features like smart retries, automatically initiating transaction retries using alternative payment methods after failures. Some merchants report up to 10% savings, which would have otherwise been lost. Additionally, their plug & play technology simplifies integration, making it accessible to businesses without extensive technical expertise."
Neira Jones, the chairman of the mpe 2024 awards judging panel
"Winning the best payment orchestration solution award at mpe for a payments company is like winning an Oscar for the best film at the academy awards!
It is a testament to the WLPayments team's hard work, innovation, and unwavering commitment to simplifying online payments worldwide. We share this accolade with our amazing customers and partners - we grow when our customers grow!"
Lennard Sigling, VP - business development & management, WLPayments
Open to PSPs, ISOs, PayFacs, Aggregators, Orchestrators, Acquirers, and other payment services providers that do not qualify as startups (i.e., the company has operated for more than 5 years at the time of application), the award will go to the provider who offers a payment solution that demonstrates true payment innovation that brings real benefits, value, and differentiation to merchants and a great payments experience for customers.
During the prestigious mpe awards gala ceremony, part of the annual Merchant Payments Ecosystem (mpe) conference, Guestline was announced as the winner in the "most innovative payment solution" category.
According to the criteria, in the "most innovative payment solution" category, the award goes to a provider who offers a payment solution that demonstrates true payment innovation that brings real benefits, value, and differentiation to merchants and a great payments experience for customers.
"Payment processes in the hospitality industry have been fragmented and complex for many years. The winner a single payment solution combining payment gateway, merchant acquiring services and chip & pin terminals into one centralised hub. The judges have been impressed not only how well this company has articulated its value proposition but how it has demonstrated its commercial viability and success through relevant metrics and testimonials. The winner’s streamlined solution also includes the integration with property management systems and was deemed by the judges a worthy winner of this award."
Neira Jones, the chairman of the mpe 2024 awards judging panel
"Securing the most innovative payment solution award carries immense importance for Guestline. It represents a notable acknowledgment of our ongoing commitment to seamlessly integrate payment services into our platform, solidifying our position as a trailblazer in the field. The endorsement from a panel of payment experts at mpe adds a distinct level of significance for Guestline, as it underscores the recognition of GuestPay as a reputable industry leading payments solution provider (in cooperation with our partner Trust Payments). This further validates our achievements within the hospitality industry, reinforcing our credibility and dedication to excellence."
Andrew Williams, director, Guestline
Category sponsored by:
Open to any payments businesses with a clear and well-developed ESG strategy who can demonstrate how their strategy is making a substantial positive impact in any of the E,S,G pillars, particularly when supported by technology. This will show evidence of how progress is being made against specific near and long-term objectives such as net-zero, carbon offsetting, UN Sustainable Development Goals, social purpose and supply chain transparency goals. Entries should include a case study of a live initiative or programme as well as up-to- date supporting data/evidence of its impact against the set objectives and a clear definition of KPIs.
During the prestigious mpe awards gala ceremony, part of the annual Merchant Payments Ecosystem (mpe) conference, Inpay was announced as the winner in the "chairman award - best esg initiative in payments" category.
According to the criteria, in the "chairman award - best esg initiative in payments" category, the award goes to an organization able to demonstrate the most tangible impact through payments technology and processes.
"The best esg initiative in payments award goes to the organisation with a clear and well-developed esg strategy, showcasing their substantial positive impact in any of the E,S,G pillars, particularly when supported by technology. "
Neira Jones, the chairman of the mpe 2024 awards judging panel
"I’m immensely proud of winning this award which underscores our commitment to successfully tackling the many payments challenges we know NGOs are facing. Fintech can have transformative impact on the way global aid is delivered, getting more money where it’s needed most, in the safest and most cost-effective way possible."
Sarah Louise Teschl, head of NGO & shipping sales, Inpay
To be awarded to the individual (or team) who has provided a significant contribution to the development of the Merchant Payments Ecosystem either on a domestic or international basis.
mpe awards - are the only European awards recognizing top merchant payments acceptance companies and their achievements.
With a category for each player of the merchant payment ecosystem, the Awards are all-inclusive. No other European awards program provides such industry-wide recognition in true reflection of the breadth and strength of our industry.
MPE Award winners will be able to promote their accomplishment all year long.
All winners will be given a MPE 2024 Awards logo and jury testimonials to be used in their PR & marketing activities in addition to special coverage from Merchant Payments Ecosystem Awards & conference. Winners will record personal acceptance video that will be uploaded on MPE Awards website and MPE TV YouTube channel and further promoted through MPE channels.
See MPE 2023 Awards Winners testimonials here
You can enter the contest until Feb 11, 2024.
Important note: Contestants enrolling for the Innovation Hub at MPE, aspiring to win the „MPE Innovator of the Year“ award, should submit their entries also until Feb 23, 2024. Also, their submission process and overall management differs from the rest of the award categories. Please refer to the MPE Innovation Hub section to see the steps and eligibility to enter.
Any company qualifying as part of the payment acceptance value chain worldwide.
Anybody working as part of a team or department responsible for a particular solution/service (one to become a subject of the entry), a marketing, communication or PR specialist whom has been appointed this task or who is generally responsible for awards submissions.
The sole process of sending the application is done via an online form and is thoroughly described in the next section as well as the steps you need to do before you actually submit anything.
You can enter maximum of three categories.
Yes, you can enter the same category/categories with the same or different product/service. You can also enter category/categories you have not attended before with a product/service you have previously used. However, if you previously won any of the categories, please also refer to the next point.
Definitely, the only condition here is that you cannot enter neither the same nor the rest of the categories with the same product/service you won with previously. However, you can enter the same category you won previously with a different product/service.
MPE Awards is very prestigious and unique in its concept. Therefore, you should carefully consider your choice. The awards ceremony traditionally takes place on the second night of the three day conference. Since the conference itself is attended by senior representatives, there is a pretty good chance you already have the right person on spot. As shortlisted parties are notified several days prior to the ceremony, you will have enough time to appoint the proper member of your crew to pick up your prize. If you won the „Acquiring Personality of the Year“ category, well, it is your call to take what is yours :-)
Recognition and prestige. You being the winner, it is our commitment to make sure your name is spelled in the organizer.
The major card and payments acceptance media after the conference. A separate PR campaign utilizing the world-class media distribution companies follows your success hand-in-hand with social media coverage performed by us.
The MPE Awards do not reward its winners with laser-engraved glass or „wannabe Oscars“. Instead, mpe went the harder way of finding highly skilled artists and recognised artists whose task is to create unique Guiding Hand statuettes, using valuable materials with design changed from year to year, reflecting the current trends and important happenings in the payment industry.
From 2014 a Croatian artist Gordana Turuk created her organic glass and gold plated statuettes to please the eye of the winners.
For the 2024 edition, we have partnered with another renowned artist and we shall see completely new statuette!
