Ding joins forces with iSend

Irish-based mobile top-up company Ding has acquired US-based iSend to become the largest provider of International Mobile Top-up globally.

iSend is the largest international top-up network in the US, Ding’s network can deliver top-up to mobile phones around the world in 3 seconds, and the company say that their acquisition of iSend, an electronic payment provider, will cement the company’s position as global leader of international top-up.

Ding CEO Mark Roden said: “This acquisition takes our international top-up to the next level by offering the widest array of mobile operators and the most reliable technical infrastructure. It is an exciting step for Ding and one which reflects our determination to lead this industry through scale and innovation. Steve LaBella has built a fantastic company in iSend and I am particularly pleased to be now working with him in growing the US, our largest sending region."

The deal was part funded by AIB Corporate Banking and doubles the size of Ding’s business globally and sees significant expansion of its retail distribution network across the Americas. Building on its already remarkable reach of 500,000 outlets globally, iSend brings an additional 150,000 retail stores, mainly in North America. “There is huge potential in the US retail market and we are now ideally positioned to benefit from this with our newly combined structure” said Mark Roden.

“The time was right for Ding to expand its presence in the US and joining forces with iSend consolidates our leadership position here. It is also particularly pleasing to be able to complete this acquisition just six months after our last acquisition of www.recargasacuba.com which has been an outstanding success”, said Mark Roden.

CEO of iSend, Steve LaBella said: “We are delighted to be working with Ding as each party brings its own unique strengths and expertise to the table and I am confident that together we will be able to provide the fastest and safest mobile top-up service to our customers worldwide.”

Ding was the winner of the 2014 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award and recently represented Ireland at World Entrepreneur Of The Year in Monaco.