Utrecht-based Twelve, a Dutch fintech company which focuses on point-of-sale and order management for the foodservice and hospitality sector, has been acquired by IT software and services provider Centric.
The acquisition is part of a broader strategy involving Spacetime, an Amsterdam-based investment vehicle that provides capital and founder-driven support. The firm partners with entrepreneurs who pursue ambitious ideas and aim to drive meaningful change.
Centric and Spacetime will support efforts to enhance Twelve’s service operations and expand its presence across Europe.
Willem van Kralingen, founder of Twelve, will serve as CEO.
Aim of the acquisition
The acquisition aims to support Twelve’s growth in the European market. Initially developed for amateur sports clubs, Twelve’s point-of-sale and order management system was designed for ease of use by volunteers.
Its adoption expanded to larger venues and events, including the Johan Cruijff Arena, SAIL Amsterdam, and clients such as Sodexo. The company now also serves smaller quick service restaurants, establishing itself as a key provider in the Dutch foodservice and hospitality sector.
With support from Centric and Spacetime, Twelve plans to build on its current scale—processing over 700 million transactions annually—and accelerate its expansion across Europe.
Willem van Kralingen, CEO of Twelve, says, “We have grown into the market leader in the Netherlands. Our 15 years of experience, together with the added expertise and network of our new partners, make us uniquely positioned to expand across Europe, starting with Germany, France, Italy and the UK. We already service major stadiums in two of those countries, such as Stade de France and San Siro.”
Investment for strategic growth
Centric provides IT solutions and services across software solutions, IT outsourcing, and staffing services. It helps streamline operations and enables focus on core activities. The firm operates in sectors such as government, supply chain, and finance.
By acquiring a majority stake in Twelve, Centric will expand its retail software portfolio.
While Centric has an established presence in the food, non-food, and logistics sectors, Twelve adds point-of-sale solutions focused on the foodservice and hospitality sector, broadening Centric’s overall offering.
Hans van Waaijenburg, CEO of Centric, says, “This investment also reinforces our strategic direction. We focus on markets where our in-depth industry knowledge and advanced IT capabilities can truly make a difference for our clients.”
“We actively invest in promising technology companies that enhance our expertise and strengthen our position in these markets. By joining forces with Twelve, we not only accelerate their growth but also solidify our role as a leading IT player in the retail market.”
Twelve will keep its brand and organisational setup. It will operate independently while collaborating with Centric to access additional scale and support.
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