UK-based cybersecurity startup Zamna has raised $5m in a seed funding round to enhance and automate airport security checks.
The round was led by LocalGlobe and Oxford Capital. It was joined by Seedcamp, the London Co-Funding Fund (LCIF) and Telefonica.
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Zamna’s current investor and commercial client International Airlines Group (IAG) also joined the funding round.
Previously known as VChain Technology, Zamna uses blockchain technology to validate data between travel authorities and airlines for passenger identity verification.
Its platform attaches an anonymous token to the verified data. Using this token, different organisations such as governments and airlines can access the ‘network of tokens’ without accessing the private data of any agency.
The identity of a passenger can then be verified using this technology.
The technology reportedly led to a 90% decrease in manual checks.
Zamna co-founder and CEO said: “For airport security to successfully become frictionless through biometric capabilities, the first step is to have access to 100% accurate and trustworthy passenger data.
“Zamna is delivering on this. Built on a ‘privacy by design’ framework, it ensures that airlines and governments get accurate, trustworthy data in advance of a passenger travelling, enabling the traveller can get through the airport without multiple identity checks.”
The money raised will be used to launch its ‘Advance Passenger Information (API) validation platform’ that can be used for biometric and biographic data.
Immigration authorities and airlines have already begun using the technology for security checks.
Zamna is also collaborating with General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners (GDRFA) in UAE and Emirates Airlines to ensure a smoother check-in and travel experience for passengers.
