20Face, an Enschede-based company specializing in privacy-proof facial recognition software, has raised €1.3 million in a new funding round. The investment came from existing shareholders Value Creation Capital and Oost NL, alongside new investor Twinning Participaties. This funding is expected to help the company expand its technology and grow its market presence, reinforcing its commitment to privacy in facial recognition.
In previous years, 20Face has consistently demonstrated its ability to make facial recognition technology more privacy-focused. While the company had already garnered attention for its innovative solutions, this new round of funding further solidifies its market position. Compared to earlier announcements, the focus remains on enhancing user privacy and meeting stringent data protection regulations. The commitment to secure access in various sectors has remained a constant goal through its development phases.
Privacy Proof Biometrics
Founded in 2017 as a spin-off from the University of Twente, 20Face has established itself as a leader in privacy-focused facial recognition technology. The company’s solutions are implemented across multiple sectors, including business centers, healthcare institutions, and recreational sites.
Frank ter Kuile, CCO of 20Face, stated, “Our technology is extremely suitable for locations where many people need to enter quickly and in a controlled manner. We call that Safe Seamless Access.”
Recently, 20Face installed their facial recognition systems at 23 FairPlay Casino locations to improve access control. The company emphasizes that their technology allows users to manage their own data, ensuring compliance with European privacy regulations while maintaining high security.
Facial Recognition Technology
20Face employs advanced artificial intelligence and computer vision technologies for facial recognition. Their system can detect faces under varying conditions, check image quality, and generate unique encrypted codes for user identification. The technology includes live detection capabilities to distinguish real faces from photos and can detect face masks.
Security and privacy are central to 20Face’s approach, with encrypted codes stored securely and user consent management features. The company boasts a 99.85% accuracy rate in the LFW benchmark and NIST compliance, which allows them to ensure reliable access with minimal errors.
The latest funding will be used to accelerate 20Face’s growth and technological advancements. The company plans to enter new markets and form strategic partnerships, enhancing its ability to offer privacy-first facial recognition solutions. CEO Dick Fens expressed satisfaction with the investment, stating, “This funding enables us to further develop our technology, expand our team, and strengthen our market position.”
20Face is supported by Twinning Participaties, Oost NL, and Value Creation Capital. Twinning Participaties focuses on nurturing tech companies during their growth phase by offering capital and expertise. Oost NL aims to foster economic growth in the eastern Netherlands, while Value Creation Capital supports early and growth-stage IT and tech companies with financial resources and strategic guidance.
User privacy and compliance with regulations are critical in the evolving landscape of facial recognition technology. As 20Face continues to grow, it remains committed to these principles, ensuring both security and data protection. The new investment will not only boost the company’s technological capabilities but also enable them to better serve their clients across various sectors.
