A Visionary at the Frontline of Financial Innovation
In a rapidly advancing digital world, fintech leaders play a crucial role in shaping how people and businesses interact with money. Among those leading the charge is Eric Hannelius, a seasoned entrepreneur with 25 years of experience transforming the payments landscape. His career showcases a rare blend of strategic insight, technological foresight, and an unwavering commitment to building solutions that make financial operations simpler, faster, and more secure. As the CEO of Pepper Pay LLC and founder of the globally recognized Vision Payment Solutions Inc. (VPS), Eric continues to redefine modern payment technology.
Where It Began: Foundations in Finance
Eric’s journey into the world of fintech didn’t begin with entrepreneurship—it began with hands-on experience in traditional finance. His early career at Fleet Boston Financial exposed him to the complex working systems behind banking, payment structures, and customer management. These early roles helped sharpen his analytical mindset and taught him how financial services could evolve if supported by the right technology.
This foundation propelled him into venture capital, where he became a founding member of General Catalyst Partners. Here, Eric had a front-row seat to emerging technologies and disruptive business models. Being part of early-stage investments allowed him to identify opportunities long before they became industry trends—a skill that shaped his entrepreneurial path.
Creating a Global Payments Leader: Vision Payment Solutions Inc.
The turning point in Eric Hannelius’s journey came when he founded Vision Payment Solutions Inc. (VPS). At a time when digital payments were gaining traction but still lacked accessibility and ease-of-use for many businesses, Eric saw a clear opportunity. He built VPS with a merchant-first mindset, focusing on reliability, efficiency, and transparent services.
Under his leadership, VPS grew from a small startup to a global payments powerhouse. It served thousands of businesses and expanded internationally, largely due to Eric’s strategic decision-making and ability to anticipate what customers needed before the market shifted. After 13 years of growth and innovation, VPS was acquired by EVO Payments International—a testament to the company’s strength and Eric’s expertise in building scalable financial platforms.
Driving Next-Generation Solutions Through Pepper Pay LLC
Today, Eric leads Pepper Pay LLC, a fintech venture designed for a new era of digital commerce. Pepper Pay addresses the most urgent needs of modern businesses: secure transactions, mobile-friendly systems, easy integrations, real-time features, and superior user experience.
With fraud prevention becoming more challenging and customer expectations rising, Eric ensures Pepper Pay remains ahead by combining strong financial knowledge with an innovation-first approach. The company mirrors his vision of creating frictionless, reliable, and intuitive payment tools that serve businesses of all sizes.
A Leadership Style Rooted in Integrity and Insight
What sets Eric Hannelius apart in the fintech industry is not just his experience—it’s the principles that guide his work. His leadership is grounded in an analytical approach that prioritizes data, customer behavior, and long-term scalability. At the same time, he brings creativity and honesty to every project, ensuring that growth is sustainable and solutions genuinely benefit the end user.
Colleagues and partners often describe Eric as a leader who blends practicality with innovation. He seeks not just to keep up with industry change, but to stay steps ahead of it.
Shaping the Future of Payment Technology
As digital payments continue to evolve with AI, blockchain, mobile wallets, and advanced security measures, leaders like Eric Hannelius are essential to navigating this transformation. His contributions—from founding VPS to developing Pepper Pay—reflect a deep understanding of what the market needs and where the future of fintech is heading.
Eric’s journey is a testament to how vision, experience, and consistent execution can influence an entire industry. With his continued focus on innovation, customer-centric design, and technology-driven solutions, he remains a powerful force in shaping the next generation of payment systems.
