After the internet became affordable, many software companies came up. But, with the increase in competition, every company needed some help to stay in the game. Companies with very little idea of how to drive traffic towards their website or about digital marketing faced many problems. Because, with the digital revolution, everything became more meaningful and prominent on the screen. A company to help other software companies grow their businesses was very important. Someone who can guide them and help them expand in the international market. Some members of GECAD Group decided to build a company to sell products that can help the other companies expand. In 2006, Alan Homewood founded 2Checkout in Ohio. The company has grown vastly over the years.
About Alan Homewood
Alan went to the Ohio State University Fisher College of Business. He graduated in 1994. While he was pursuing his degree, he worked at LCI International for five years. In 1995, Alan started working as Oracle and other DB Consultants. He started working on the project of 2Checkout since 2000 and finally released it in 2006.
In 2013, Alan became the President of Entrepreneurs’ Organization who now serves as the Area Director of the same. Apart from being the Chairman of 2Checkout, he is currently the CEO of Yogi Surprise and Founding Board Member of Autism Living.
The founding story of 2Checkout
Before founding 2Checkout, Alan and other co-founders worked for a company called GECAD Group. The company built RAV Antivirus which came under the acquisition of Microsoft in 2003. GECAD Group was an international company that sold software products on a global level. But, the founders realized that it is very hard for a company to sell its products internationally on its own. This gave them the idea to establish a company that would help other software companies like GECAD to grow.
So, they started the company, Avangate in 2006. In 2013, Francisco Partners acquired Avangate which in turn acquired 2Checkout in 2017. 2Checkout has become an integral part of the company as it helps in a flexible payment system and broadens the market research. After the acquisition, the entire company was reintroduced under the brand name of 2Checkout. Through this platform, the company helps the clients grow in any market of any model.
The idea behind 2Checkout
Avangate which is now known as 2Checkout serves a good purpose for online businesses. When the founders were working to sell their products in GECAD, they faced many problems. But, they also noticed that there is a vast opportunity to sell their products outside their nation. Keeping this in mind, they created Avangate as a way to help communicate the merchant with the world.
What the company faces on a daily basis?
Currently, 2Checkout is the only digital platform that gives its customers the opportunity to outsource the entire business process. They are free to pick up the services they want and change it with the course of time. The company, today, serves more than 17,000 merchants meeting everyone’s needs. 2Checkout serves both small companies to large business tycoons as well. The company has expanded its service to more than 180 countries and territories.
Achievements
The first biggest achievement of the company was in 2007 when it opened the first North American Sales office. 2Checkout reached out to the Russian market in 2008. In 2011, 2Checkout received funding from 3TS Cisco Growth Fund. After Francisco Partners acquired Avangate in 2013, the company received the CODIE’s Best eCommerce and Billing Solution Award.
In 2014, the company received many awards which include Deloitte Tech Fast500, The Golden Bridge, European Business Award, etc. Next year, the company opened another office in Atlanta thus expanding its reach. Recently, the company has launched the 2Checkout 2.0 Digital Commerce Platform.
Future goals
The new CEO of 2Checkout, Alex Hart has big plans for the company in the near future. Currently, the most challenging part of the business is thinking about what to pursue next. 2Checkout has a lot of innovative ideas for the future. But, it is tough to decide what ideas they are going to implement now and what can wait for the future. This is the reason, Alex thinks it is better to listen to its customers. Because, if the customers aren’t ready to adopt a change, then there is no point in making a change at all.
Annasha Dey is an NIT student, who apart from studying engineering is also a content writer. She has a great interest in photography, writing, reading novels, and travelling as well. She is a foodie who loves socializing and hanging out with her friends. She is also a trained Kathak dancer and a big fashion enthusiast. Dey also loves watching TV series, which includes F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and Big Bang Theory. To be a better writer she prefers to read more