Festipay is on a fantastic new mission. The Hungarian fintech enterprise have been asked to provide cashless payment solution in one of the most high-end beach clubs of Belgium.

With BAOUZZA BEACH TERRACE in Bilzen, Belgium a new country appeared in the Festipay-universe. This is especially important for many reasons. One of them is the fact that Festipay can implement its innovative services into a market where fintech and financial services are highly developed.

The hip beach bar Baouzza is pitching its tents in Bilzen this year again. For exciting after-work moments, a lovely swim and attractive summer beats, locals are heading to there.

Smooth transition

As Tom Cumps, business & partnerships manager of Baouzza / Star Group says: “We had seen the devices of Festipay at Untold Festival and we were attracted by the displays attached to the registers. This would give us the opportunity to communicate our agenda (from the club) and products from our partners while the costumers are waiting for their drink.”

When asked about the start of the operation he adds: 

“From configuration to installation everything went perfect. The team of Festipay did everything they could to make the transition go smoothly. A team of two came to Belgium to do the installation and have been present for 6 days to monitor during opening hours. They gave the necessary training to our staff. With Festipay we found the perfect cashless payment solution. It is to replace our Baouzza “money” and other cash handled point of sales by placing devices at entrance, bars, toilet and parking areas.”

Important new concept

Festipay CEO Daniel Kaderják emphasizes the importance of this project for the Hungarian fintech company. “Baouzza Beach Terrace is our first Benelux-project. Going cashless in clubs and bars is the best way to go, because – among many other disadvantages – using cash is expensive and not hygienic. We’re piloting a new operating model in Belgium right now. Our task was to replace the club’s existing payment system for the more advanced Festipay solution. This project in Belgium is very important to us, as we can implement our innovative services into a market where fintech and  financial services are highly developed.”

ABOUT BAOUZZA:

Baouzza is one of the first successful beach bars in Belgium. A unique concept, a true “place to be” during the summer months, where you’ll find with hip beats, vibrant cocktails and exclusive events. Baouzza Beach Terrace opened on Wednesday 29 May and will remain open for the whole summer until 15 September. Run by the STAR GROUP, which was founded 19 years ago. The Managing Director is Mr. Kris Vanhoyland. Their specialization is in organizing large public events entirely in-house. (Such as Studio 54, MNM Back to The 90s & Nillies, Sinner’s Day, Baouzza, Urbanice, etc.)

ABOUT FESTIPAY:

Festipay is one of Europe’s largest integrated event management and cashless payment solution providers. Its innovations in venue access and cashless payments have been in use by some of the largest live events and best venues across the continent. The countries where Festipay currently operates are Hungary, Romania, Croatia, France, Italy, Georgia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Belgium.

Festipay’s services cover ticketing, access control, cashless payment solution, accreditation and credential management, staff management, mobile payments and apps. The company is also providing integrated solutions to manage crowds and increase on-site spending via brand promotion and brand activation.

In 2017, Festipay was one of the first companies to deploy NFC-enabled wristbands. This can combine ticketing, venue access and cashless payment functions in order to maximize convenience and service security for festivalgoers. Festipay is also the official cashless payment service provider of Budapest spas.

Festipay has come this far within a few years, we have been providing event management solutions in 7 countries! Our company is continously expanding, and soon we will announce our newest addition.

By 2019, Festipay has become one of Europe’s leading event management solutions providers. Our services range from access control through ticketing, cashless payment, to couponing and brand activation. Our references include large scale festivals, spas operating all year, ski events and event venues of different sizes and audiences.

A semi-online system

Festipay’s cashless solution is a semi-online system using a redundant data storing approach for maximized stability. This approach enables transactions to be almost instant and operate regardless of network state. Our company has experience with all year operating venues such as bars, spas, and has provided solutions to skiing venues in France and Switzerland.

With the use of an integrated and re-usable wristband, the skiing complex can achieve a seamless access and payment flow. Festipay is ready to integrate with the already installed infrastructure of the ski lifts and other facilities. The wristband balance could be used at any merchant, shop or activity provided at the venue. Also, it is possible to develop a couponing or personalized offer-based system to increase consumption and participation.

Festipay’s integrated payment system

Since 2018 it is being used at all the region’s major music festivals. These wristbands are equipped with a radio frequency identification chip to serve both entry and purchases. This innovative solution successfully debuted in 2017 at two international festivals. Neversea and Untold have introduced this new event management system with a success, and since 2018 visitors of Hungarian festivals are experiencing it as well.

Top up via mobile application

The chip, that is integrated into the wristband can be topped up with a mobile application. This can be done online and on the spot. We suggest doing it in advance, so that the balance shows on the chip immediately. (Time could be spent much better partying at a festival than standing in a que!) How the system works did not change at all. The chip has to be touched to the terminal after the order. In the event of the wristband being lost, payments can be disabled by using a mobile app.

Those days are over when people bought bonbons and warm socks for each other. Why not get your family and friends something unique that will materially improve their lives? Check out some fintech gift ideas – and of course, stay cashless, use contactless!

1. Cryptocurrency wallet

For those who are into cryptocurrencies, a physical wallet that could protect their funds against theft may be a suitable gift. A hardware wallet is a special type of bitcoin wallet which stores the user’s private keys in a secure hardware device. A cryptocurrency wallet features a screen and buttons required to confirm the transaction performed with the cryptocurrency. It has special security technology that protects users. If the wallet is lost, after three attempts to enter the PIN code all data on the device is automatically deleted.

2. For the frequent overspender

Here’s one fintech gift with shock value — literally. Pavlok is a device that gives wearers a mild electric stimulus when they’re spending too much. The goal behind Pavlok is to help wearers eliminate their bad habits using customizable algorithmic settings.

This also means that financials aren’t the only habits the wristband can improve upon, but it helps to avoid oversleeping, hanging out too much on social media websites, etc. Who wouldn’t want to receive a mild electric shock when going on a shopping spree, or start the day with jumping jacks instead of snoozing the alarm and going back to sleep…? Well, maybe not all of us, yet it’s an as crazy as it sounds gift idea, we love it

3. Augmented writing tool

For most of us communicating ideas well is a constant struggle, and we usually rely on a lot of hope. What if you could know   in advance  how other people would react to your words?

Textio is an augmented writing platform, giving you the superpower of knowing how well your words will work while you’re still writing them.

Fueled by massive quantities of data, contributed by companies across industries and around the world, Textio’s predictive engine uses this data to uncover meaningful patterns in language, guiding you to stronger communication and better business outcomes.

4. Tickets for a cashless festival 

When someone is working or studying hard all year round, it’s always important to take a break. And what could be better than visiting a safe, cashless and professionally managed summer festival? Festipay has been responsible for the integrated event management for some of the best summer festivals, such as Sziget Festival, VOLT, Balaton Sound, UNTOLD and more. Follow our social media pages to find out which ones are they!

Fintech has made finance convenient and impressive enough to spice up your Christmas shopping with some last minute fintech gift ideas — so probably this year you can please the the most hard-to-please people in your life. Go ahead, get your hands on a fintech gift for your loved ones before this year comes to an end.

Since 2015 in Cluj-Napoca

Untold Festival is Romania’s largest music festival. From the beginning, the organizers sought a cashless payment service provider that had already given proof of its competence at several large events. It was primarily our Sziget Festival references that convinced them that FESTIPAY would make a good choice. The reliability and customizability of our cashless payment system was also important. Since then, our cooperation has been a continuous success, as we have worked together for three years.

Awarded in the first year 

After their first season, UNTOLD was awarded by European Festival Awards as the Best Major Festival in Europe. In the first two years, the organizer primarily required us to provide a cashless payment system. Festipay’s delegated management team controlls the installation, operation and supervision of the payment system. They also train the local staff involved in providing the service (about 120 persons). The festival takes place on a 20-hectare park, its central venue being the Cluj Arena. Opening hours for top-up points are being adjusted flexibly as needed.

At Untold Festival, a semi-online system with a high operational security is set up. In practice, this means that the internal memories of NFC cards and POS terminals stored the data generated in the course of the transactions, and at the same time the system also forwarded the information to the Festipay server using GPRS data transmission. Visitors can top up their Festipay devices using either cash or bankcards, and could recharcge the same way any time at the top-up points located in the festival area. After registering their cards, the users could also use the Festipay app at the event to check their transactions and balance, or – in case that they lost it – have their card blocked.

Seeing the continuously increasing number of visitors, as well as of vendors and service providers, the organizer – with the goal of higher transparency and higher service standards in mind – wanted to implement an integrated system in 2017.  It was expected that wristbands could serve as access control and identification, as well as function as an instrument of payment at the same time.

Chipped wristband

Each wristband is equipped with a chip and a QR code. In the course of ID-based access management, the photo ID card of the visitor is scanned and rendered to the wristband. So the access control is able not only to check validity, but also to reliably identify the person holding the wristband, preventing potential abuses. The wristbands are branded, meet various demands /VIP, day pass, staff, etc. Chips store all the data necessary to identify the users. They are also enabled to manage all payment transactions. Supplied with an individual serial number, the QR code supported the registration and identification.

Upon arrival

The visitors first redeem their ticket vouchers before receiving the chip wristband. The organizers are able to adjust and rearrange access management flexibly. It can depend on the workload, thanks to our mobile devices used for the access.  Furthermore, the system continuously provides real-time data on the actual number of visitors.

Following entry

visitors are able to top up their balance at any top-up point. Thanks to the cooperation between the Festipay and Untold mobile apps, users can also avoid queing at the top-up points and recharge their balance online.

Consumer habits

at Untold Festival have also changed a lot over the past 3 years, and thus the organizer also formulated its demand that the service at the vendors should be quicker, with less waiting time. Festipay’s sales supporting system is connected to the cash register systems of the vendors. It makes the service significantly quicker and simpler. Besides efficiently assisting sales, the system also support the work of the vendors.

Customer satisfaction survey

after purchase visitors can evaluate the shop by selecting from 5 different categories of “smileys” on a display.

Access control

The access control and the management of the payment transactions at Untold Festival was supported by Festipay’s integrated system. Festipay has become one of the main international service providers in the area of integrated festival and event solutions.

From 2018 in Hungary also

After the success of Festipay’s integrated payment wristband at Untold Festival, Hungary’s biggest festival, who have also been our clients for years, SZIGET has also started using Festipay’s new solution.

Key numbers:

In 2015 240,000 visitors, 600,000 transactions,
In 2016 290,000 visitors, 900,000 transactions,
In 2017 330,000 visitors, 1,200,000 transactions,

In 2018 550,000 visitors, 2,000 000 transactions.

Hungarian fintech company Festipay’s latest success is to provide integrated event management in a brand new market, Georgia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, this Eurasian country represents a connection between East and West, making this new destination an important milestone for the fintech company specialised on cashless payment devices. With the ticketing done by LIVE IT, another experienced professional in the European festival arena – Georgia’s youngest festival had been an unqualified success.

Anaklia, Georgia, Aug 29, 2018 – Contactless payments and ticketing at one of Georgia’s largest music festival just got a major upgrade. Using Festipay’s cashless payment wristbands and LIVE IT ticketing technology, attendees enjoyed a combined entry ticket and payment device. Making it faster, easier and more convenient for visitors to enter and pay at this state-of-the art festival.

GEORGIA’S BRAND NEW ELECTRONIC MUSIC FESTIVAL

EchoWaves festival is supported by “EXIT” – which was named as Europe’s Best Festival in 2014, and has always been one of the top festivals in Europe.  “This 4-day festival will largely contribute to the region’s cultural and touristic development.  Echowaves will help to increase the investments in the region. Hopefully makes Anaklia a regional hub for electronic music. With the support of EXIT’s experienced organizers our intention is to develop this festival into a popular international cultural event. So we’ve teamed up with Festipay and LIVE IT. Their innovative event management and integrated approach is exactly what is needed in a festival like ours.” -says Sandi Kuplen, Operations Director of EchoWaves Festival.

INNOVATIVE CASHLESS PAYMENT SOLUTIONS

In Georgia, Festipay and LIVE IT have introduced a new, integrated solution that combines the online sales, entry ticket and the payment device into a single wristband. The ticketing and financial technology innovation was used for the first time in the country.

“Our integrated venue access and payment solution puts EchoWaves festival on the forefront globally, from a technological standpoint.” Daniel Kaderják, CEO of Festipay, was present at the 4-day event. He also emphasizes what a huge and innovative step this is not only for the Georgian fintech scene, but to Festipay as well. “We are really proud that this call came from Georgia, as we find historical and cultural connections between our country. Hungary and Georgia are at the beginning of a flourishing, long-time cooperation.”

INTEGRATED EVENT MANAGEMENT

LIVE IT, a European market leader event management company specialising in ticketing and promotion, also added their expertise to EchoWaves.  LIVE IT has been responsible for the ticketing of some of Europe’s largest festivals for more than 5 years. Kenton Ward, CEO said: “We are delighted to have been involved in successfully managing ticketing for EchoWaves. The integration of our ticketing platform with the Festipay system allowed people to buy tickets online and receive cashless wristbands as they arrive. Hence attendees get a seamless experience and allowing marketing and promotion to continue whilst the event was in progress”

ECHOWAVES CASHLESS FESTIVAL, A GREAT SUCCESS

The organizers of EchoWaves entrusted the festival’s event management to leading-edge, proven partners. The 4-day event went smoothly, we expect to see Georgia’s youngest festival continue to flourish in the coming years.

Gourmet Festival May 17-20, Millenaris Park Budapest

Gourmet Festival, the most exciting gastro event of Hungary is on! And for the first time in Hungary, Festipay has introduced its integrated cashless payment solutions. ID access and payments are both provided by a single, chip-based wristband. It ensures higher transparency for vendors and higher service standards for the visitors.

This high class gastronomy event takes place in Millenaris Park Budapest, between May 17-20. It’s exhibiting the region’s best restaurants, confectionaries and wineries, accompanied by exciting programs hosted by top Hungarian gastrobloggers Zsófia Mautner and András Jókuti. The 4-day program schedule includes food-and wine tastings, introduction of international superstar chefs, workshops, music and more during this cashless festival!

Dumplings, caviar and sparkling wine

…Will be the main themes, as superb as it sounds! Special guest is Heinz Reitbauser, award-winning Executive Chef of two Michelin-starred Steirereck, the world’s 10^th best restaurant.He will be preparing mushroom-based dishes on stage.

Just to mention a few more exciting programs for the most committed foodies: caviar tasting with chef Szása Nyíri from the renown “Aranykaviar” Russian restaurant, Latin America’s best female chef, Kamilla Seidler cooks exotic dishes on stage. Our favourite is the plum dumplings served on biodegradable plates – presented by the chefs of Budapest’s 2 Michelin-starred restaurant, Onyx.

Trendy wristband that serves all

Gourmet Festival’s latest innovative feature is Festipay’s integrated payment solution, with a single chip wristband providing both entry and payment. With this, cashless payment solutions will be even more convenient for all sort of purchases at the festival, as you don’t have to carry a card with you.

This integrated payment solution was tested during a Romanian festival last year, check out the case study here.