Bolt Acquires Tipser, Launches Remote Checkout | Bolt

Bolt Acquires Tipser to Enhance One-Click Checkout Capabilities

The possibility of completing a purchase directly from digital content is now closer to reality. Checkout technology firm Bolt announced Monday its acquisition of Tipser, a Swedish company specializing in direct checkout solutions across various digital platforms.

Recent Funding and Acquisition Details

San Francisco-based Bolt recently secured $393 million in Series D funding in October, increasing its total funding to $600 million. According to Ryan Breslow, founder and CEO of Bolt, the Tipser acquisition was a planned use of these funds, though discussions began some time ago.

Tipser's Technology and Leadership

Tipser’s core technology allows consumers to make purchases directly from websites like online publications, mobile marketplaces, social media, and search engines. The company was founded in 2012 by Marcus Jacobsson, Axel Wolrath, and Jonas Sjöstedt, with Jacobsson serving as co-founder and CEO.

Interestingly, Tipser wasn't actively seeking a sale when initial conversations with Bolt began. They were, in fact, preparing for a new investment round, having already raised over $14 million. However, the companies discovered a strong cultural alignment and complementary strengths.

Strategic Importance of the Acquisition

Breslow emphasized the strategic value of Tipser, stating they had “been perfecting their embedded commerce technology for a decade” and were the leading player in the field. He noted that Tipser possessed capabilities where Bolt was comparatively weaker, making the acquisition highly beneficial.

The all-stock deal was valued at “just shy of $200 million,” according to Breslow. Bolt will integrate the entire Tipser team, adding 100 employees. Furthermore, Tipser’s Swedish location will function as Bolt’s European headquarters, supporting the company’s recent expansion into the European market.

Introducing Bolt Remote Checkout

Alongside the acquisition, Bolt is launching Remote Checkout, a new tool designed to facilitate purchases directly at the point of discovery. This addresses the common consumer experience of finding a product on social media – where 84% of shoppers consult reviews, as per Pew Research Center – and then navigating to a separate website to complete the transaction.

Inspired by Instagram Checkout, this tool was developed internally by Bolt over the past year. Breslow highlighted the growing need for native checkout solutions, particularly with the decline of third-party tracking and cookies.

Key Features of Bolt Remote Checkout

Bolt’s Remote Checkout offers several key features, including:

• Direct one-click checkout
• Integration with Bolt’s shopper network
• Increased conversion rates for merchants
• Multi-channel order processing
• Direct relationship building with visitors
• Conversion of anonymous visitors into registered account holders
• Monetization of on-site traffic

Industry Reaction and Publisher Perspective

Jason Wagenheim, president and CRO at BDG (formerly Bustle Digital Group), expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, particularly the potential for publishers and creators to monetize their traffic. BDG, whose brands include Bustle, EliteDaily, and Fatherly, was Tipser’s first U.S. publisher, launching the product on two of its 13 sites in April.

Wagenheim described the acquisition as a “marriage of content and commerce,” anticipating accelerated onboarding of merchants onto their platform. He recalled earlier attempts at direct shopping from magazines using QR codes, which failed to gain traction.

The Future of Shoppable Content

Wagenheim believes that new technologies like those offered by Bolt and Tipser can bridge the gap between awareness and purchase, making commerce more accessible with a single click. BDG’s initial results with Tipser are promising, with over 25 million sessions and an average of 10 products viewed per session, indicating strong user engagement.

He anticipates a significant impact with the integration of hundreds more merchants and the convenience of one-click transactions, calling it a “game-changer” for the industry.