Koalect & RaiseNow: A Strategic Merger Set to Transform European Digital Fundraising

Zurich, Switzerland - 24. October 2023

koalect-raisenow

RaiseNow, a leading fundraising technology provider based in Zurich and Berlin, is thrilled to announce its merger with Koalect, the Belgium-based peer-to-peer fundraising and crowdfunding innovator. This merger is a strategic alignment that promises to redefine the digital fundraising landscape in Europe, offering the best fundraising technology on the continent.

Marco Zaugg, CEO and founder of RaiseNow, confidently stated,


"Our merger with Koalect is a testament to our commitment to lead and innovate. We're evolving ready to shape the future of digital fundraising. Our expanded portfolio and market reach are significant milestones in our journey to become the European leader in fundraising technology."

Maxime Bouckaert, CEO and founder of Koalect echoed the sentiment,


"RaiseNow and Koalect can offer an incredible combined set of fundraising tools. Blending Koalect's expertise in peer-to-peer fundraising and crowdfunding with RaiseNow's years-long experience in payment tech, advanced integrations, and innovative giving methods. This partnership will extend Koalect's reach to thousands of new organisations. Together we can have a very big social impact.”

Merger Highlights:

  • A Vision for Impact: Both companies have consistently championed the transformative power of technology for societal change. This merger amplifies our collective reach, ensuring that nonprofits and charities are equipped with the best tools and strategies in the market.
  • Best-in-Class Technology: Koalect's state-of-the-art peer-to-peer fundraising & crowdfunding technology, combined with RaiseNow's global expertise in digital fundraising and payment technology, ensures clients have access to the best technology in the market. We now have the most extensive R&D Department in fundraising technology in Europe, and we will set new standards, challenge the status quo, and introduce innovations that redefine norms in fundraising technology.
  • Shared Values and Culture: Both companies are founder-driven and passionate about product development. We share an open, progressive company culture with teams working remotely globally.

The Road Ahead

As we venture into this new phase, our primary focus remains delivering enhanced value to our clients. Our combined expertise ensures that our customers will benefit from a broader spectrum of solutions and services tailored to meet the evolving demands of the digital fundraising landscape. This union amplifies our technological capabilities and deepens our understanding of the diverse European market. Customers can anticipate more extensive solutions and a holistic approach to their fundraising needs.

Our commitment to fostering genuine partnerships with our clients and partners remains unwavering as we continue to innovate. Together, we are poised to shape the future of digital engagement and fundraising in Europe.

About RaiseNow:

Founded in 2013 with a vision of enabling people and organisations to do good in a digital world, RaiseNow is a powerful end-to-end fundraising solution for ambitious charities and nonprofits. We empower fundraisers and advance their missions to collect donations in a more efficient, user-friendly, and successful way than before. Bringing digital fundraising to the next level, our platform handles all the needs of a nonprofit organisation - from online donation and payment processing to peer-to-peer fundraising and seamless integrations with existing tools. We currently support over 6,000 organisations worldwide - including Save the Children International, WWF, Amnesty, and UNICEF - processing over 14 million transactions and a donation volume of over 800 million euros.

About Koalect: 

Koalect was founded by four young Belgian entrepreneurs in late 2014. Since then, they have been revolutionising the landscape of crowd engagement. Recognizing that every organisation boasts a distinct crowd, Koalect has meticulously developed a set of tools designed to unlock and enhance personalization. Their platform offers various modules, from donation-based crowdfunding and payment solutions utilising QR codes to crowdsourcing and crowd voting. Beyond its robust offerings, Koalect empowers organisations with a user-centric back-office, enabling them to independently launch campaigns and gain invaluable insights into their performance and supporter dynamics. Flexibility is at the heart of Koalect's ethos, with its API designed for seamless integration with an organisation's preferred technologies. This adaptability extends to design, allowing organisations to tailor the platform's aesthetics and tone to resonate with their brand.

For a closer look at RaiseNow's offerings, visit raisenow.com. To delve into Koalect's innovative solutions, visit koalect.com.

Media Contact

Oliver Schnürle
Chief Marketing Officer bei RaiseNow
oliver.schnuerle@raisenow.com
+49 173 2142653

Our press kit: Logos, images & press release

Your Questions, Our Answers

Our new team member. Who is Koalect?

Koalect is revolutionising the landscape of crowd engagement. Recognising that every organisation boasts a distinct crowd, Koalect has meticulously crafted a suite of tools to unlock and amplify this inherent potential. Their platform offers various modules, from donation-based crowdfunding to crowdsourcing and crowdvoting. Beyond its robust offerings, Koalect empowers organisations with a user-centric back-office, enabling them to independently launch campaigns and glean invaluable insights into their performance and supporter dynamics. Flexibility is at the heart of Koalect's ethos, with its API designed for seamless integration with an organisation's preferred technologies. This adaptability extends to design, allowing organisations to tailor the platform's aesthetics and tone to resonate with their brand.

How do you anticipate the integration of both company cultures?

Both teams are deeply passionate about their customers and their overarching mission. We share a vision of a just world where everyone has equal access to essential resources, education, and freedom. By integrating our cultures, we aim to amplify our impact.

What immediate benefits can customers and suppliers expect from this merger?

RaiseNow clients will gain access to Koalect's innovative solutions and benefit from our expertise across more European markets. Suppliers and partners will be working with the most extensive R&D team in Europe dedicated to this field, promising innovation at an unprecedented scale.

What specific new markets are you aiming to enter with the merger?

We are strategically positioning ourselves to expand our presence in Europe, specifically Belgium, France, Netherlands, and Luxemburg.

Are there any new services that will be introduced due to the merger?

Yes, RaiseNow clients will gain access to Koalect's suite of solutions, enhancing a diverse array of modules, encompassing everything from donation-based crowdfunding to crowdsourcing and crowd-voting.

Will there be a change in the name of either RaiseNow or Koalect post-merger?

No, there are no plans to change the names of RaiseNow or Koalect. However, Koalect will become a part of the RaiseNow team.

Are there any immediate plans to change the pricing of products from either company?

No, there are no immediate plans to change the pricing of products from either RaiseNow or Koalect. We encourage you to contact your respective consultant for detailed information and assistance with any specific inquiries or further questions regarding pricing.

Will any products be discontinued as a result of the merger?

Both companies value the unique offerings they bring to the table, and the intention is to leverage the strengths of both to serve our clients better. We will consolidate our engineering and harmonise our offering if there are overlapping features or redundant services.

Will the Koalect team relocate to RaiseNow's office in Zurich or Berlin?

Post-merger, we are expanding our operational footprint to include three primary office locations: Zürich, our headquarters; Berlin, in Germany; and Genval, in Belgium. The Koalect team will continue to operate from their current location in Genval.

Furthermore, our commitment to a remote-first setup remains unwavering. This approach gives our teams the flexibility and freedom they value, allowing them to adapt to individual needs and ensuring we can attract and retain the best talent irrespective of geographical boundaries..

Beyond market expansion and resource sharing, what are the strategic benefits of this merger for RaiseNow?

The merger with Koalect goes beyond just expanding our market reach and sharing resources; it's a strategic move that aligns perfectly with RaiseNow's mission and vision for the future. Here are the strategic benefits of this merger for RaiseNow:

Deepening Mission Alignment:
This merger amplifies our commitment to offering solutions to all clubs, charities, and nonprofit organisations, harnessing the power and synergies of our partner ecosystem.

Technology and Portfolio:
Our technology is designed to increase touchpoints with supporters, offer the most relevant payment methods, and reduce inefficiencies in fundraising. By merging with Koalect, we can offer a broader range of solutions and services.

Partner Ecosystem and Marketplace:
We recognise that we must operate in collaboration to accelerate our growth. This merger bolsters our strategy to build a marketplace where partners can easily connect, acting as multipliers and selling our products.

Scaling for Excellence:
To be the best in class, it's imperative to scale both the product and the company. This merger allows us to transition from merely growing to genuinely rising. We will have the largest R&D team in Europe for digital fundraising; we are in a prime position to innovate the market.

Expanding Product Portfolio:
Our product already covers end-to-end fundraising and payment solutions for all customer segments in the nonprofit sector. With this merger, we can diversify our offerings ensuring we cater a larger portfolio to a broader clientele.

In essence, this merger is a pivotal step in RaiseNow's journey, ensuring we remain at the forefront of innovation, expand our reach, and continue to serve our clients with unparalleled excellence.

Do you anticipate any immediate cost reductions or increases due to the merger?

The merger between RaiseNow and Koalect will bring about several cost synergies, including operational efficiencies, shared resources, bulk purchasing power, and R&D synergies. We will invest every cost reduction into product development.

How will client accounts be managed post-merger?

Post-merger, our primary focus is to ensure continuity to provide our customers with the highest level of service. Existing customers will continue to receive the dedicated service they have come to expect and will benefit from the expanded portfolio that the merger brings.

Between similar products of RaiseNow and Koalect, which ones are considered superior?

RaiseNow and Koalect have established themselves as leaders in their respective domains, bringing unique strengths. We will consolidate our engineering and harmonise our offering if there are overlapping features or redundant services.

Which products from both companies are being retained post-merger?

Post-merger, no immediate plans exist to discontinue any products from RaiseNow or Koalect, ensuring that clients continue to benefit from the comprehensive suite of solutions developed and refined over the years. This decision underscores our commitment to providing consistent value and service to our clients, leveraging the strengths and expertise of both entities.

How will existing customer contracts be affected by the merger?

Existing customer contracts will remain valid and in effect. The merger is designed to enhance the value we provide to our clients, and we are committed to honouring all existing agreements, terms, and conditions, this includes billing intervals and payout dates. Clients can expect the same level of commitment, service, and support they have received in the past.

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