Gallant Capital Partners (“Gallant”), through an affiliate, has acquired Fime as well as the UL Solutions payments testing business (collectively, the “Company”), combining the technical capabilities and expertise of both businesses under the Fime brand. Stakeholders across payments, smart mobility and digital ID can now access the industry’s most complete set of consultancy and testing services via Fime, supporting financial inclusion and innovation while enabling cost and time savings.

Lionel Grosclaude, CEO at Fime, comments: “The convergence of payments, smart mobility and identity is reshaping our connected world. The unique and comprehensive set of consultants and experts at the combined Company further cements Fime as a global leader. Possible through the partnership with Gallant that enabled the combination, Fime has expanded its capabilities in business and technical consultancy. This broadened product and service portfolio will allow the Company to guide any project from ideation and implementation, through testing and ultimately to a successful launch.”

The combination greatly expands Fime’s geographical reach, offering global expertise on a local scale. Stakeholders can access business and technical consultancy, as well as compliance and quality assurance testing services in over 19 countries across each major region: North & South America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, India, and Asia / Pacific. Fime’s improved flexibility and reach enable more innovation in testing and increased agility to respond to rapidly evolving trends like open banking, instant payments, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), digital wallets, open payments, and digital identity. 

Jon Gimbel, Partner at Gallant adds: “Fime has extensive experience in enabling the creation and adoption of innovative products and solutions. By combining these businesses, Fime will unlock new opportunities across a broad set of markets. We are excited to partner with Lionel and the Fime team to drive the Company’s accelerated growth during this next stage.”

Gallant Capital Partners was advised by Natixis Partners, with Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth LLP serving as legal counsel.

Houlihan Lokey served as financial advisor and Baker McKenzie LLP served as legal counsel to UL Solutions.