UK identity verification scaleup Onfido has acquired American digital ID company Airside Mobile for an undisclosed sum.
The deal will combine Virginia, US-headquartered Airside Mobile’s digital identity-sharing technology with Onfido’s biometric ID verification.
For example, a traveller will be able to verify their digital ID using Onfido’s technology to share with airport security, then using Airside’s technology re-use it to access a rental car without having to re-verify or supply physical ID.
The acquisition also helps Onfido enter the travel industry. Airside Mobile is used by federal agencies including the US Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration, along with airlines such as American Airlines.
London-headquartered Onfido’s software is used by financial service firms such as TSB Bank to onboard online customers and conduct know-your-customer (KYC) checks.
A spokesperson for Onfido told UKTN that Airside Mobile employees – including its founder Adam Tsao – will be absorbed into the business.
“While some have departed to pursue other opportunities, most of the Airside team are embarking on the joint venture with us as we welcome them to Onfido,” the spokesperson said.
Airside will continue to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Onfido, the spokesperson added.
The company declined to comment on the size or terms of the deal.
“Until now identity verification has digitized physical processes, but those processes haven’t changed,” said Mike Tuchen, CEO of Onfido. We’re still handing our identity over to be checked every time we access a new service. This partnership will change that — giving users control and organisations greater confidence in who their customers are.”
Tuchen added that Onfido will apply this to other sectors, such as financial services.
It is Onfido’s second acquisition after it acquired EYN, a London-based company providing “acoustic-based anti-spoofing technology”.
Onfido was founded in 2012 by three former students at Oxford University: Husayn Kassai, Eamon Jubbawy, and Ruhul Amin. In 2020 Kassai stepped down as CEO and was replaced by Tuchen.
The company has raised $200m in funding to date.
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