Lycos Europe, european online portal has acquired Mentasys, shopping software provider, for €30m and an additional performance related €14m. Mentasys software connects sales networks with intelligent product advisors. The software facilitates the sales process. Mentasys’ 60 staff doubles Lycos’ shopping technology development team. According to Antoine Boulin, MD of Pangora HQ in France.
Pangora and Mentasys competencies are very complementary. Pangora brings its expertise in front-end technologies, sales and international distribution. With this new partnership, Mentasys brings know-how in back-end technology, product data and reviews…
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Lycos, european online portal, is investing in its white brand shopping portal Pangora. Christoph Mohn, CEO de Lycos Europe declares
We are convinced that more and more purchasing will be done online. European online shopping sector has double digit growth every year. Lycos Europe has a strong position in the sector and is constantly improving its performace thanks notably by its Mentasys acquisition. It’s strong expertise, specially in B to B, and its white brand shopping solutions will help us in more than our German market. We forecast these sales figures in other markets like UK, France and Italy.
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Pangora’s own brand shopping site is evita.de, which has a small market share in Germany; the site is yet to top 500,000 unique users a month. Lycos is pushing the eVita brand to France and UK. Though not part of the top 10 shopping sites in UK, Europe’s top market, the eVita is expected to contribute significantly to Lycos’ struggle for positive cash-flow.