Centric acquires majority stake in Twelve to expand digital retail across Europe

By Vriti Gothi

Centric, a provider of IT software and services, has acquired a majority stake in Twelve, a Dutch FinTech, a pivotal step toward redefining digital commerce in the foodservice and hospitality sector.

Backed by Spacetime, an investment vehicle, Centric will collaborate closely with Willem van Kralingen, Twelve’s founder and newly appointed CEO, to unlock the next phase of Twelve’s growth journey, enhancing platform capabilities and expanding into key European markets.

Born out of the need for intuitive, volunteer-friendly payment systems in sports clubs, Twelve has rapidly evolved into the market leader in PoS and order management for the Dutch foodservice and hospitality sectors. Its platform processes over 700 million transactions annually, powering operations at marquee venues including Johan Cruijff ArenA, Stade de France, and San Siro, and serving global brands such as Sodexo.

Twelve’s cloud-based platform stands out for its speed, simplicity, and reliability, with modular capabilities that seamlessly serve small quick-service restaurants, large stadiums, and high-volume events.

With the strength of Centric and Spacetime behind it, Twelve is set to accelerate its European growth strategy, targeting key markets such as Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, where it already has strategic footholds in high-profile venues.

For Centric, the acquisition enhances its suite of intelligent retail solutions, adding a dynamic, mobile-first platform that reflects evolving consumer and operator expectations.

Twelve will continue to operate under its brand and maintain its entrepreneurial autonomy, while leveraging Centric’s scale, infrastructure, and shared services to unlock operational efficiencies and long-term growth.

Willem van Kralingen, CEO of Twelve, said, “We have become the market leader in the Netherlands. Our 15 years of experience, combined with the expertise and network of our new partners, give us a unique position to expand in Europe, starting with Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom. We already serve major stadiums in two of these countries, such as the Stade de France and San Siro.”

Hans van Waaijenburg, CEO of Centric, said, “This investment also underlines our strategic course, we focus on markets where our in-depth industry knowledge and advanced IT capabilities can make a difference for our customers. We actively invest in promising technology companies that strengthen our expertise and consolidate our position in these markets. By joining forces with Twelve, we not only accelerate their growth but also strengthen our role as a leading IT player in the retail market.”