Net Element Announces Strategic Partnership with E2Exchange; Net Element CEO Joins E2E Advisory Board

MIAMI, FL--(Marketwired - Dec 21, 2016) - Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) ("Net Element"), a provider of global mobile payment technology solutions and value-added transactional services, today announces its strategic partnership with E2Exchange Ltd ("E2Exchange" or "E2E"), a scale-up-focused organization that supports entrepreneurs and facilitates entrepreneur-to-entrepreneur information exchange, equity-funding transactions, and recruitment.

As part of this strategic partnership, members of E2Exchange will benefit from access to Net Element's global multi-channel payment services offering. It is contemplated that the Company will contribute content for the benefit of E2E members as well as participate in relevant events. Additionally, Net Element CEO Oleg Firer has joined E2E's advisory board.

Entrepreneurs who operate companies, regardless of size, use E2E to make connections, find investment and deal opportunities, source non-executive directors, and exchange cutting-edge ideas. E2E is also involved with education and high-level lobbying to further the interests of entrepreneurial business. In furthering these goals, Sir Richard Branson, honorary president of E2E, presides over the board of directors comprising some of the UK's highest profile business leaders.

Shalini Khemka, founder and chief executive officer of E2E, says, "We are very excited to have entered into this strategic partnership with Net Element. Our fast-growing community of members can now access Net Element's extensive range of payment acceptance services and its experience in streamlining payment processes for fast growing companies. This will be tremendously beneficial for our members in addressing global payments as they seek to expand and enhance their businesses."

With significant success growing its own international presence, Net Element will lend its experience and expertise to assist E2E members as they work to achieve their specific growth strategies.

"We are honored to partner with the growing E2E network," commented Oleg Firer, CEO of Net Element. "We look forward to helping E2E members address their global commerce needs, and I am excited to join the E2E advisory board and help companies evaluate their payment needs as they grow internationally."

About E2Exchange
E2Exchange Ltd ("E2Exchange" or "E2E") is an established network of highly successful entrepreneurs: creating an exchange between entrepreneurs, investors, experienced non-executive directors, business leaders, government influencers and professional service providers. E2E guides entrepreneurs through the vital decisions to overcome barriers to growth by creating connectivity, raising investment, recruiting non-execs and providing exceptional services. Founded in 2011, E2E is a dynamic community of over 12,000 entrepreneurs, investors, non-execs and partners. E2E is a hub for the progress of the UK's entrepreneurial community -- businesses at the scale-up stage -- helping to accelerate growth for the benefit of their businesses as well as the UK economy. E2E has a board of world-class entrepreneurs providing sage advice, with the battle scars to prove it. E2E also wants to develop the next generation of entrepreneurs by inspiring early. Further information is available at www.e2exchange.com.

About Net Element
Net Element, Inc. (NASDAQ: NETE) operates a payments-as-a-service transactional and value-added services platform for small to medium enterprise ("SME") in the US and selected emerging markets. In the US it aims to grow transactional revenue by innovating SME productivity services such as its cloud based, restaurant point-of-sale solution Aptito. Internationally, Net Element's strategy is to leverage its omni-channel platform to deliver flexible offerings to emerging markets with diverse banking, regulatory and demographic conditions such as UAE, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan where initiatives have been recently launched. Further information is available at www.netelement.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Words such as "continue," "will," "may," "could," "should," "expect," "expected," "plans," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, many of which are generally outside the control of Net Element and are difficult to predict. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to whether the relationship with E2Exchange will positively impact the Company. Additional examples of such risks and uncertainties are : (i) Net Element's ability (or inability) to obtain additional financing in sufficient amounts or on acceptable terms when needed; (ii) Net Element's ability to maintain existing, and secure additional, contracts with users of its payment processing services; (iii) Net Element's ability to successfully expand in existing markets and enter new markets; (iv) Net Element's ability to successfully manage and integrate any acquisitions of businesses, solutions or technologies; (v) unanticipated operating costs, transaction costs and actual or contingent liabilities; (vi) the ability to attract and retain qualified employees and key personnel; (vii) adverse effects of increased competition on Net Element's business; (viii) changes in government licensing and regulation that may adversely affect Net Element's business; (ix) the risk that changes in consumer behavior could adversely affect Net Element's business; (x) Net Element's ability to protect its intellectual property; (xi) local, industry and general business and economic conditions; (xii) adverse effects of potentially deteriorating U.S.-Russia relations, including, without limitation, over a conflict related to Ukraine, including a risk of further U.S. government sanctions or other legal restrictions on U.S. businesses doing business in Russia. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements can be found in the most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed by Net Element with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Net Element anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its plans, intentions and expectations to change. Net Element assumes no obligation, and it specifically disclaims any intention or obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law.