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Saffe develops advanced facial recognition software, leveraging artificial intelligence for secure authentication and fraud prevention. Their core technology incorporates facial biometrics, sophisticated cryptography, and robust liveness detection to verify user identity accurately. This enables streamlined and secure transactions across various digital platforms, enhancing user experience while fortifying security protocols against illicit activities.
The company was established by André, a former investment banker from Brazil. His foundational insight stemmed from the potential of using facial recognition for seamless and secure payment experiences, leading to the creation of a system that allows for "paying with one's face." This vision led to the development of their proprietary AI-driven solutions designed to address modern security challenges.
Saffe's solutions serve businesses requiring stringent identity verification and anti-fraud measures, particularly within the financial and digital transaction sectors. The company envisions a future where secure, frictionless identity authentication becomes a ubiquitous standard, providing reliable biometric security that protects users and systems globally. They aim to advance the widespread adoption of secure facial biometrics for everyday interactions.
Saffe has raised $20K across 1 funding round.
Saffe has raised $20K in total across 1 funding round.
Saffe is a London-based technology company specializing in AI-driven fraud prevention and customer verification through facial biometrics, liveness detection, cryptography, and distributed computing.[1][2][3] It serves financial services, e-commerce, fintechs, and access control sectors by enabling secure authentication for onboarding (KYC), transactions, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and "naked payments" in physical stores, prioritizing security, convenience, and digital inclusion while processing millions of transactions monthly.[1][2][4] Formerly Facewallet and founded in 2015, Saffe has demonstrated strong technical performance, ranking top 15 in NIST FRVT 1:1 in 2019 and achieving ISO/IEC 30107 compliance for liveness detection, with growth evidenced by lead generation campaigns securing 54 appointments with firms like Credit Suisse and Monzo Bank.[1][2][3]
Saffe was founded in 2015 in London, United Kingdom, evolving from Facewallet and rooted in academic research on computer vision and machine learning.[1][2][4] Key founders include CEO André Coelho from São Paulo, Brazil; CTO Giovani Chiachia, who holds a Ph.D. in computer vision and machine learning with time at Harvard University and IT industry experience; and Head of Content Bruna Medeiros from São Paulo.[4] The idea emerged from a mission to blend security and convenience via facial biometrics, pioneering innovations like "naked payments" and earning an FCA license as a small payment institution in the UK.[2] Early traction included top rankings in NIST FRVT and PAD tests in 2019, establishing credibility for high-volume transaction authentication.[1][2]
Saffe rides the wave of rising online fraud and cyber threats in fintech and e-commerce, where biometric authentication addresses limitations of passwords and static IDs amid sophisticated deepfakes and attacks.[2][3] Timing aligns with regulatory pushes for strong customer authentication (e.g., FCA licensing) and global demand for inclusive, frictionless security in digital finance, especially post-pandemic.[1][2] Market forces like AI advancements in computer vision and the shift to passwordless systems favor Saffe's proprietary tech, which integrates seamlessly across high-stakes sectors and influences ecosystem partners through co-innovation for new journeys like transport access.[2][3][4]
Saffe is poised to expand its biometric platform into emerging areas like embedded finance, IoT access control, and global "naked payments," leveraging its NIST-proven edge and partner flexibility amid AI-driven cybersecurity trends.[2][4] Trends such as deepfake proliferation and regulatory mandates for liveness will amplify demand, potentially scaling via more investor-backed pilots and SDK adoptions in underserved markets.[1][3] Its influence may evolve from niche antifraud provider to key enabler of seamless, inclusive digital identities, solidifying its role in secure, user-centric tech ecosystems.[2]
Saffe has raised $20K in total across 1 funding round.
Saffe's investors include CFV Ventures.
Saffe has raised $20K across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $20K Seed in February 2017.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2017 | $20K Seed | CFV Ventures |