Merchant & SME Business Platforms
As payment margins compress, the lasting opportunity lies in owning the merchant relationship.
We help banks, telecom operators, fintechs and payment providers build platforms that support how merchants get paid, manage cash, pay staff, run operations and access finance.
Why acceptance alone is not enough
Advisory for integrated merchant platforms: onboarding, POS, SoftPOS and QR acceptance, settlements, SME payroll, business tools and merchant finance.
Merchant discount rates are falling under regulatory and competitive pressure.
Merchants switch easily between providers that only process payments.
Small businesses need more than acceptance: cash-flow visibility, payroll and working capital.
How we help
We help banks, telecom operators, fintechs and payment providers build platforms that support how merchants get paid, manage cash, pay staff, run operations and access finance.
Strategy and business model
Target segments, value proposition, revenue model and the business case.
Proposition and product design
Merchant journeys, feature scope and a phased product roadmap.
Platform architecture and partners
Build-versus-partner decisions, vendor selection and ecosystem partnerships.
Pricing and commercialisation
Pricing models, bundles, merchant acquisition and go-to-market.
Operating model and launch
Processes, risk controls, organisation design and launch readiness.
What you receive
Deliverables are tailored to the scope of each engagement.
- Merchant segmentation and value proposition
- Platform scope and roadmap
- Build-versus-partner recommendation
- Pricing and go-to-market plan
- Operating model and launch plan
Our approach
Every engagement follows a clear path, scoped to what the client needs. Some clients bring us in for a single phase; others ask us to stay through launch.
- 01Diagnose
- 02Design
- 03Mobilise
- 04Launch & scale
Frequently asked questions
What is a merchant business platform?
It combines payment acceptance with business accounts, settlements, payroll, invoicing, reporting and access to finance in one experience for merchants.
What is SoftPOS?
SoftPOS turns a standard smartphone into a card-accepting terminal, which lowers the cost of acceptance for small merchants.
How can providers earn more than transaction fees?
Through subscriptions, float on balances, merchant lending, payroll and value-added services, supported by the transaction data the platform collects.
Who provides lending and insurance on these platforms?
These services are delivered through appropriately licensed partners and integrated into the merchant experience.
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Online payments are now a core channel for merchants and governments alike.
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Explore this practiceLet's talk about your project
Tell us what you are working on and we will come back with a view on how we can help.
info@mercanera.com