Cyber_Folks, a Polish technology group best known as a hosting and infrastructure provider, is reshaping the European eCommerce software landscape through a complex acquisition strategy that brings together some of the continent’s most influential open-source commerce platforms.
Acting through a newly formed holding entity called Cyber_Pixel, the group has acquired PrestaShop alongside Sylius and its long-time implementation partner BitBag, setting the stage for what executives describe as a pan-European open-source eCommerce powerhouse.
The transaction marks the second ownership change for PrestaShop in less than five years. The France-based platform, which powers more than 230,000 online stores globally and supports an estimated €22 billion in gross merchandise value, was previously acquired by Mail Boxes Etc., an international logistics and shipping company, as part of a broader ambition to integrate commerce and fulfillment services. Now, control shifts to Cyber_Folks, underscoring a notable shift from logistics-led ownership to one rooted in hosting, cloud services, and digital infrastructure.
The acquisition is being executed through Cyber_Pixel, a new holding company in which Cyber_Folks holds a 79 percent majority stake. The remaining 21 percent is owned by the founders of Sylius, who exchanged their shares in Sylius for equity in the new entity to remain actively involved in the combined group’s management. BitBag, a Polish software house specializing in bespoke eCommerce implementations, is also fully owned within the structure. PrestaShop alone is valued at approximately €55 million, according to people familiar with the transaction.
By bringing together PrestaShop, Sylius, and BitBag under a single umbrella, Cyber_Folks is attempting to build a vertically integrated eCommerce ecosystem spanning small businesses to large enterprises. PrestaShop has traditionally served small and medium-sized merchants, particularly in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and emerging markets. Sylius, by contrast, targets mid-market and enterprise customers with a composable, headless architecture built on PHP and Symfony. BitBag adds system integration and custom development expertise, often acting as a bridge between platform capabilities and real-world enterprise requirements.
What distinguishes this deal from earlier consolidation moves in eCommerce is the role of a hosting firm as the acquiring force. Cyber_Folks operates a wide portfolio of hosting, cloud, and SaaS businesses, and the group’s leadership has signaled that infrastructure strategy will be central to the future of the combined platforms. PrestaShop’s long-standing ties to shared hosting, VPS environments, managed servers, and containerized deployments make it a natural fit for a company whose core business revolves around running and optimizing digital workloads at scale.
Industry observers note that the transaction could have ripple effects far beyond application software. By uniting a SaaS-oriented engine, a headless enterprise framework, and a large merchant ecosystem, Cyber_Folks is effectively linking where commerce software is built with where it is hosted and operated. This vertical integration could influence how infrastructure providers package services for merchants and agencies, and how open-source platforms evolve in a cloud-dominated market.
Public commentary from within the ecosystem has highlighted both strategic and cultural implications. Former PrestaShop Iberia and Latin America head Jorge González Marcos has pointed to the benefits of deeper collaboration between the Sylius and PrestaShop agency networks, suggesting the combined scale will enable larger, more complex projects while reinforcing financial stability. Cyber_Folks founder and chief executive Jakub Dwernicki has gone further, calling the deal a moment that positions Europe as a global leader in open-source eCommerce technology.
Together, the platforms now support more than 240,000 merchants generating an estimated €31 billion in annual GMV. For Cyber_Folks, the message is clear: hosting and infrastructure are no longer passive layers beneath commerce software, but strategic levers for consolidation, differentiation, and long-term growth.
Executive Insights FAQ
Why is a hosting company acquiring eCommerce platforms?
Cyber_Folks sees infrastructure and application layers converging, allowing hosting providers to shape how commerce software is deployed, scaled, and monetized.
What does this mean for existing PrestaShop merchants?
Merchants are expected to see continued platform support, with potential benefits from deeper infrastructure integration and expanded service offerings.
How do PrestaShop and Sylius differ within the group?
PrestaShop focuses on SMBs, while Sylius targets mid-market and enterprise clients through a headless, composable architecture.
Why was Cyber_Pixel created for this deal?
The holding structure allows Cyber_Folks to consolidate assets while keeping founders involved and aligning long-term incentives.
Could this trigger further consolidation in eCommerce tech?
The move highlights growing interest in vertical integration and may encourage similar mergers across hosting, SaaS, and open-source ecosystems.
