Our Story

Built on the Belief That Merchants Deserve Better.

Direct clients understand the frustration — misleading pricing, misaligned incentives, and advisors who work for the processor, not for you. Ithaca Ventures was founded to change that. As an independent merchant service consultancy, we exist for one reason: to put YOUR interests first, every time.

The name Ithaca Ventures is deliberate. Like Odysseus returning to what truly mattered, our work is about cutting through the noise of an over-complicated industry and finding the clearest, most cost-effective path for your business. No hidden loyalties. No processor quotas. Just clear, honest guidance.

This adventure began with Nicholas Gensheimer wanting to give back to his community of Farmington Hills, ensuring that the family-owned businesses continued to thrive and keep his town feeling like home. Ithaca Ventures is not only operated by him, as his wife, Christena, helps run the business behind the scenes with her experience in accounting. Nicholas and Christena believe that business owners should take home more of the money they earn, and be able to reinvest that back into what they do.

In their time away from the business, Nicholas works as a teacher at the local high school, aiding students in finding their passion and planning out their future. He has been teaching for 8 years and is going into his 9th for the 2026 / 2027 school year. Nicholas believes that students should be excited to come to school to learn and better themselves, but this can only be done through cultivating positive relationships with his students. He strives to take his positivity and relationship building to the business field to ensure his clients feel cared for and supported, just as his students do.

Our Philosophy

Transparent. Independent. Results-Driven.

The merchant services industry is built on complexity. Processors profit from confusion, and too many "consultants" are simply resellers with a different business card. We founded Ithaca Ventures on a different premise: that clarity is a competitive advantage and that every merchant, regardless of size, deserves to know exactly what they're paying and why.

We operate with no financial relationships with processors or vendors. Our compensation comes entirely from our clients — which means our incentives are perfectly aligned with yours. When we recommend a solution, it's because it's right for your business, full stop.

Let's Start a Conversation

Ready to Reduce Your Processing Costs?

Whether you're evaluating your current processor, negotiating a new contract, or simply want a second opinion on your statement — we're here to help. Schedule a no-obligation consultation and let's find out what you could be saving.