Keyo - The Global Identity Network

The Global Identity Network 

Keyo, offers a broad, user-centered, and consent-driven biometric identity network, grounded in the safety and security of palm-vein biometric technology. Biometrics can be utilized to reduce friction and increase security. A one-time registration of a single encrypted biometric key connects users to access control systems, payment options, loyalty programs, ticket redemption, and time and attendance systems via one network.

From a user perspective, palm-vein technology is simple to use and broadly acceptable. It is faster, more accurate, and more secure than familiar biometrics such as fingerprint, and it is predicated on user consent and engagement in a way that familiar biometrics such as facial recognition and iris scan are not.

Keyo’s flexible API and SDK are designed for integration with existing systems. The Keyo terminal integrates with key card systems, fobs, QR codes, and secure third party APIs, allowing companies to more easily incorporate the security and convenience benefits of the Keyo network.

At Keyo we are building a company that reflects the world in which we want to live - one that brings the convenience and security of biometrics without compromising privacy, data security, and personal freedom.

Palm-vein technology is a relative newcomer to the biometric scene. Developed in 2011, palm-vein uses near infrared light to create a unique image of the blood flowing through the vein structure of a user’s palm.

Keyo is the only company currently building a consumer-focused network around palm-vein technology. We're replacing keys, cards, tokens, fobs, and tickets with a simple palm scan, as well as offering software that makes it easy to integrate palm-vein into existing systems.

When dealing with biometrics privacy, consent and accuracy are a big consideration.  When biometric data is compromised by overbearing governments or malicious actors, it can be easily used in conjunction with existing camera networks for dangerous levels of citizen surveillance and invasion of privacy.

External biometric identificators, such as iris, face, fingerprint and voice often can often be captured and collected without a person’s knowledge or consent. This poses serious areas of concern, both from a security perspective as well as privacy. Under Europe’s GDPR and similar legislations in the US, capturing biometric data from users without “informed consent” is fineable at tens of thousands of dollars per infraction. Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee with external biometric that this will not happen.

A truly secure and private biometric identity system should require explicit interaction in order for identification to take place. This is why after reviewing all biometric modalities Keyo chose palm-vein.

Use of the Keyo terminal involves a .2 second, contactless scan of a palm, a motion that is both easy and acceptable in diverse cultures and contexts. The technology is significantly more accurate than other similar biometric technologies. 

At the moment of creating a Keyo account, we verify people's government issued IDs. Once an individual's identity has been verified and linked to their palms, they can use their palm throughout the Keyo network.

In the physical world -

We are currently a young company and have been 3D printing our own devices at our Chicago office. Q3 of 2019 Ammunition, designers of Square POS, Beats by Dre and other iconic products, will be designing Keyo's new generation of devices. We estimate that we can bring the cost down to about $300 per device. 

In the digital world - 

At Keyo we constantly receive requests to bring our technology to aid verification online. This is something that is in our roadmap. 

Keyo's solution is a hardware-enabled API/SDK. For integrations into other hardware devices we provide a solution that includes our sensor and main boards. For solutions that have a main board, we can also just provide the sensor with our SDK. 

Integrating with Keyo is easy. 

Keyo provides a flexible API that is capable of integrating with existing technologies. To protect sensitive data, Keyo often partners with secure third party systems.

The Keyo API and SDK allow for integrations with existing systems such as key-cards and fobs, HR software and platforms leveraging the benefits of those systems, making adjustment easier for users and reducing the costs associated with shifting to a new technology.

We are currently working with companies based out of Uganda, Rwanda and Mexico and actively dealing low connectivity environments and users with low literacy. 

For low connectivity - 

Our terminals connect with 4g, 5g, wifi, ethernet and mesh networks. 

For low literacy -

Enrolling your palms with Keyo takes less than 55 seconds and we walk users through enrollment with visuals.

Keyo's platform launched 10 months ago and we have over 48 million dollars in our active pipeline. We are currently working with many fortune 500 companies and governments officials to launch the Keyo network. 

- We will continue to deploy the platform throughout the world.

- Our device is going through a massive redesign and becoming 3 devices, an integration-ready puck, an in wall access terminal and payments terminal. 

- We will continue to innovate and lower the price of our hardware and software.

Many of our current partners are under NDA so we cannot mention them by name, but here is an overview - 

Commercial real estate companies on access control and time and attendance.

Large mobility partner for in-bus driver identification and passenger ticketing. 

Security company in East Africa to deploy access control and payments throughout college campuses. 

One of the largest credit card brand in the world on payments, loyalty and ticketing. 

One of the most recognizable gas brand in USA on in-pump and in-store payments and loyalty.

Large financial services provider in Europe and Asia on in-store payments and loyalty. 

We have been working on Keyo for over 3 years, we have been piloting solutions for over 2 years in various markets and with different approaches. Based on the learning we did during those pilots we adjusted our offering. 

Keyo is composed by highly qualified engineers, sales and marketing professionals and data and security experts. But above all it was funded by 3 entrepreneurs with prior experience. We know how to get through the highs and lows, deliver and grow. 

Backing us up is a lot of global interest and excitement and a group of strategic investors and mentors.

Our revenue model revolves around selling hardware and implementation services up front and then taking a recurring annual fee for use of the system on an ongoing basis. Our outbound sales strategy is focused on commercial real estate, where we are actively deploying and growing.

Our inbound sales are composed of people looking to solve identity problems in mobility, government, education, medical organizations, hospitality, travel, retail, banking and more. We then qualify these leads and work on pilots and POCs.

Are launching a global identity network. We believe that we can do this using a consent-based biometric, one that respect privacy and is extremely secure and that can be used as a base for many businesses and innovation. 

In the past we've been in stealth mode because any media exposure has led to an overwhelming amount of inbound. We are finally at a moment where we can channel opportunity into deployments and expand the network. Which benefits our current network users, merchants and mission.

I think the biggest one is price. Takes development time and money to make the terminal cheap enough that we can deploy it anywhere. 

We are currently working on addressing this and have tangible next steps.