A Career Built on Vision and Persistence
The entrepreneurial journey of Eric Hannelius is one defined by foresight, discipline, and a deep understanding of how financial technology can reshape business operations. With 25 years in fintech, Eric has consistently demonstrated an ability to anticipate industry shifts and build companies that meet the needs of a rapidly evolving digital economy. His path from early financial roles to founding multiple successful ventures illustrates the story of a leader committed to innovation and long-term impact.
Early Foundations in Finance and Strategy
Before stepping fully into entrepreneurship, Eric began building his foundation at Fleet Boston Financial. These early years exposed him to the operational structure of major financial institutions and helped strengthen his analytical and strategic mindset. Working in finance also allowed him to see firsthand the gaps that businesses faced when navigating payments, lending, and customer operations.
This growing interest in solving financial challenges led him to become a founding member of General Catalyst Partners—now one of the world’s most influential venture capital firms. Here, Eric had a front-row seat to early-stage technology and fintech innovation, participating in investments that would go on to reshape the industry. His exposure to startups, founders, and disruptive technologies sharpened his entrepreneurial instincts and helped form the blueprint for his future endeavors.
Building Vision Payment Solutions Inc.
The next major chapter in Eric Hannelius’s journey began when he founded Vision Payment Solutions Inc. (VPS). At a time when digital payments were still gaining mainstream acceptance, Eric recognized the growing demand for fast, reliable, business-friendly payment tools. VPS was built to address that need—and under his leadership, it quickly evolved from a small startup into a global payments platform.
Eric prioritized streamlined onboarding, transparent customer support, and payment solutions designed specifically for small and midsize businesses. As the market continued to shift toward digital commerce, VPS expanded international operations and developed a strong reputation for reliability and merchant-centric service. His leadership kept the company adaptable, scalable, and aligned with industry changes.
After 13 years at the helm, Eric led VPS into a successful acquisition by EVO Payments International. The sale validated more than a decade of growth, innovation, and commitment to building value for both customers and investors.
Launching Pepper Pay: A New Chapter of Innovation
Following the sale of VPS, Eric Hannelius began his next venture—Pepper Pay LLC. This new company reflects his continued commitment to modernizing the payment experience, but with a sharper focus on speed, security, and user-friendly technology. Pepper Pay is designed for a digital-first world where businesses expect seamless integration, streamlined transactions, and reliability across devices and channels.
Under Eric’s leadership, Pepper Pay prioritizes features that respond to current market demands: enhanced fraud prevention, mobile-friendly design, instant processing capabilities, and simplified merchant management. Pepper Pay showcases how Eric continues to stay ahead of industry trends, building solutions that support business growth in a competitive landscape.
A Philosophy Grounded in Customer Experience
Throughout every phase of his entrepreneurial journey, Eric has maintained one philosophy: build products that make life easier for customers. Whether serving a small local merchant or a rapidly scaling enterprise, he focuses on designing payment experiences that reduce complexity and increase confidence. His commitment to ease-of-use and transparency has shaped each company he’s built, contributing to long-lasting customer relationships and sustained industry credibility.
A Leader Shaping the Future of Fintech
Today, Eric Hannelius stands as a respected voice in fintech—an entrepreneur who blends strategic insight, analytical thinking, and a genuine desire to improve how businesses interact with financial technology. From his early days in finance to building VPS into a global payments leader and launching Pepper Pay, his journey is a testament to what strong vision and consistent execution can achieve.
As the fintech landscape continues to evolve, Eric’s work highlights the importance of adaptability, innovation, and a customer-first mindset. His story is still unfolding, but one thing is certain: Eric Hannelius remains a driving force in shaping the future of digital payments.
