Electronic Merchant Systems (EMS) has rebranded as Kurv, reflecting its transformation and focus on delivering faster, more flexible payment solutions for small businesses.
“Kurv isn’t just a new name — it represents our new identity and vision for the future,” said Afshin Yazdian, Executive Chairman and CEO of Kurv. “We’ve transformed the way we operate to better serve our customers, and today we’re introducing a modern platform that makes payments simpler and more efficient.”
The rebrand follows the 2024 acquisition of EMS by a group led by Yazdian, with support from BharCap Partners. Since then, the company has modernized its operations and technology to create a streamlined payments platform aimed at improving the customer and agent experience.
Kurv’s new Merchant Portal enables small businesses to accept payments, access reporting tools, and connect with 24/7 U.S.-based customer support. Enhanced with AI and machine learning, the system automates risk assessment and helps identify unusual activity in real time.
For ISO agents, the Kurv Agent Portal provides tools for onboarding, account management, and analytics, with features such as real-time dashboards, chargeback management, and instant underwriting.
The company has also expanded its capabilities through the acquisitions of Paysley and Peel Payments and added experienced executives across key functions, including compliance, operations, and strategy.
“The payments industry is evolving fast, and Kurv has the technology, the team, and the vision to keep improving without losing sight of what matters. The rebrand is just the start. We’re rebuilding the business from the ground up — modernizing systems, giving business owners more control, and creating a platform that works the way they do.”
Afshin Yazdian, Executive Chairman and CEO of Kurv
EMS was founded in 1988 and has been headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, since mid-2018, as it expanded its workforce and operations. EMS has maintained a national footprint throughout decades, operating in over 100 U.S. cities through agent programs.
Over these years EMS’s services expanded from basic merchant card processing to a broader suite of payment and fintech solutions including point-of-sale systems, mobile payment apps, e-commerce integrations, risk management, and sales software. Today, rebranded Kurv company serves over 30,000 retail, eCommerce, and omnichannel businesses, as well as ISO agents and ISV partners.
