Jacksonville – On Friday, Paysafe revealed its new partnership with Envision Racing, unveiling a sleek electric Formula E race car just steps from the company’s North American headquarters at 5335 Gate Parkway. The event, held at The Block, a nearby event space and food court, showcased the company’s expanding Jacksonville office, which now employs 200 staff members.
Why the sponsorship matters locally
Bruce Lowthers, Payscan’s chief executive officer, explained that the sponsorship aligns with the firm’s consumer base and the demographics that follow Formula E. “There’s an overlap between our customers and the fans of Formula E, and that makes it a lot of sense for us to get our brand out while we continue to grow our digital‑wallet services across Europe, the United States and Latin America,” Lowthers said.
Lowthers added that few brands have the global reach that Paysafe enjoys, and the up‑and‑coming electric‑racing series offers a platform to reinforce that reach.
Local talent on the world stage
One of the drivers who will pilot the Jaguar‑built, 200‑mph car this season is 21‑year‑old Zak O’Sullivan. The Jacksonville‑connected sponsorship excites the young racer, who said, “It is something completely different, and it is also a very, very fast‑growing championship.” O’Sullivan, a former go‑kart champion who progressed through Formula 4 and Formula 3, will compete in the 13th season of Formula E, which features 21 races across continents, from Austin, Texas, to Tokyo.
He noted the unique strategic element of electric racing: “We’re racing to energy demands, which means it’s never a flat‑out race. It’s a kind of revolving chess game as you go through the race.” The drivers must conserve energy, often using regenerative braking that feeds power back into the car’s battery – a technology that eventually filters down to consumer electric vehicles.
Economic and technological impact
PaySafe’s involvement underscores Jacksonville’s growing reputation as a hub for technology and innovation. The company, a global online payment processor with 2,700 employees worldwide, highlighted its focus on the esports and video‑gaming market, noting a customer base of roughly 10 million users who are active in those communities.
As part of the partnership, Paysafe is developing a fan‑app for the Envision team, aiming to bring its customers into the world of electric racing and cross‑promote both brands. The move is expected to generate additional visibility for Jacksonville’s tech sector and may attract further investment in the area.
Formula E’s expanding footprint
Formula E cars can reach speeds of up to 208 mph and now boast over 800 horsepower, a dramatic increase from the series’ early days when cars were limited to around 200 horsepower. The 2026–27 season begins in December in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and will travel to venues including Mexico City, Austin, Miami, São Paulo, Monaco, Berlin, London, Madrid, Shanghai and Tokyo. All races will be streamed on Disney+, reaching an estimated 560 million viewers worldwide.
By aligning with a global sport that emphasizes sustainability and cutting‑edge technology, Payscan positions Jacksonville as a city that supports forward‑looking industries while reinforcing its local job market.
Looking ahead
The sponsorship announcement, first made public in August, signals a continued commitment from Payscan to invest in Jacksonville’s workforce and to champion innovations that benefit both the local community and the broader automotive industry.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
