OSLO, NORWAY – 31 January 2021 – Zwipe AS, a biometric fintech pioneering the development of next generation biometric solutions in payments and access control, has appointed Danielle Glenn as its new CFO and Head of IR effective from 1 May 2022.
Ms. Glenn (44) will join Zwipe from her current position as CFO of Arctic Bioscience AS, a Norwegian biotech company. While at Arctic Bioscience, Ms. Glenn managed the company’s capital markets activities including its MNOK 300 IPO on Euronext Growth Market in Oslo in February 2021. In addition to her responsibilities as CFO, she was also responsible for Investor Relations and heavily involved in setting the company’s overall strategic, commercial, operating and investment plans. At Zwipe, she will help lead the company through its next phase of international commercialization as the company approaches mass volume rollout of biometric cards withing payments and access control.
“Zwipe is continually expanding the commercial and strategic opportunities for its unique biometric technology. Danielle’s background as a CFO operating at the intersection of finance, commercial operations, technology and investor relations in fast-growing companies as well as her deep experience from international capital markets will provide us with the financial skill set we need to increase long-term stakeholder value in the coming years,” says André Løvestam, CEO of Zwipe.
Prior to joining Arctic Bioscience, Ms. Glenn worked in several management roles with start-up and scale-up companies in Norway upon moving to Oslo in 2016. She spent the majority of her career in London and New York, working at Goldman Sachs, Caxton Associates and Bywater Capital as a global macro hedge fund manager and Chief Investment Officer. Ms. Glenn graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a BA in History and Science.
“I am impressed by the innovation Zwipe is demonstrating in the fintech space, honoured by the confidence management and the Board has placed in me, and excited to help build upon Zwipe’s strong commercial and technological momentum. I very much look forward to joining a Norwegian company with global ambitions and an impressive international team,” says Ms. Glenn.
Ms. Glenn will take over from Lars Kristian Solheim who has decided to pursue other opportunities. Mr. Solheim has been the CFO since March 2020 and continues as CFO of the company through April 2022.
“On behalf of the whole management team and Board, I would like to thank Lars Kristian for his hard work and unquestionable dedication. He has acted as CFO during an important and transformative stage in our growth story, providing valuable contributions and wise counsel. I wish him the very best in all his future endeavours,” says Mr. Løvestam, CEO of Zwipe.
For further information, please contact:
André Løvestam
CEO of Zwipe AS
Phone: +47 934 36 952
Email: andre@zwipe.com
This is information that Zwipe AS is obligated to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation on Euronext Growth Oslo and on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Stockholm. Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North is FNCA Sweden AB, info@fnca.se, +46 (0) 8528 00 399. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 13:30 CET on 31 January 2022.
About Zwipe
Zwipe believes the inherent uniqueness of every person is the key to a safer future. The company works across networks of international organizations, industries and cultures to make convenience safe and secure. Zwipe is pioneering next-generation biometric card and wearables technology for payments, physical & logical access control, and identification solutions. The company promises customers and partners deep insight and frictionless solutions, ensuring a seamless user experience with our innovative biometric products and services. Zwipe is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with a global presence.
OSLO, NORWAY – 20 January 2022 – Primary insider André Løvestam, CEO of Zwipe AS (the "Company"), has today exercised 384,000 stock options, each giving the right to acquire one share in the Company at a strike price of NOK 10.00. The stock options have been allocated to André Løvestam under the Company's stock option incentive program. After completion of the transaction, André Løvestam will, through Energetic AS and privately, own 1,300,000 shares and hold 306,000 options, each giving the right to acquire one share in the Company.
Attached is a copy of the form submitted to the Norwegian FSA, Finanstilsynet, reporting the transaction as listed above:
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About Zwipe
Zwipe is pioneering the next generation contactless payments experience, providing biometric payment cards components and wearables technology that enable consumers to authorize transactions with their fingerprints without compromising their privacy. Together with an ecosystem of partners including global brands within digital security and financial services, Zwipe is "Making Convenience Safe & Secure" for banks, merchants and consumers. Zwipe's solutions address the hygiene and data theft pitfalls inherent in traditional authentication methods. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with a global presence, Zwipe is leading the next great shift in payments from contactless to contact free. To learn more, visit www.zwipe.com
For more information, please contact:
Lars Kristian Solheim, CFO
+47 991 661 35
lars.kristian@zwipe.com
This is information that Zwipe AS is obligated to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation on Euronext Growth Oslo and on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Stockholm. Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North is FNCA Sweden AB, info@fnca.se, +46 (0) 8528 00 399. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 12:45 CET on 20 January 2022.
OSLO, NORWAY and PARIS, FRANCE – 19 January 2022 – Biometric fintech company Zwipe and K2 sas, an affiliate of Cards Systems Group (CSG) and a leading provider of payment card personalization solutions in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) have partnered to address the growing demand for biometric payment solutions in the region. Together with CSG, the parties will bring the next generation payment cards to the MEA region and France.
CSG is an international service and integrated solution provider for card management systems. Founded in 2008, it operates in over 20 countries to offer turnkey card payment and issuance solutions. The group works with major banks, personalization bureaus and card manufacturers to ensure their delivery readiness and provide the latest technology and security standards set by Mastercard, Visa and regulators. Currently CSG’s solutions are utilized by 100 customers and over 10 million payment cards annually.
Speaking on the partnership, Bassam Al Khatib, Chief Executive Officer of K2, said: “Our collaboration with Zwipe will be a catalyst in accelerating the deployment of biometric payment cards across the MEA region and France, markets well-known to us. It is time for banks to embrace next generation contactless cards using the cutting-edge biometric technology that Zwipe brings to the payment marketplace and end users. We will leverage our large network of existing bank clients to conduct multiple pilots, starting already in H1 2022, followed by commercial launches”.
Zwipe will provide K2 and CSG with technical support and services for the implementation of Zwipe Pay biometric cards including value added services for issuers. These cards will be manufactured and delivered by Zwipe’s certified smart card manufacturers in the region.
“K2 and CSG are very important additions in our fast-growing delivery ecosystem and will be a key enabler for our accelerated growth in the MEA region and France. The Group is also a highly respected brand in delivering card personalization solutions and trusted by leading banks in the entire region. I am confident that this partnership will lead to multiple commercial launches of Biometric Payment Cards,” said Ramzi Saboury, General Manager at Zwipe for MENA region.
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About K2 / Cards Systems Group
A team of EMV specialists that joined forces in 2009 to establish an aggressive and farsighted organization. K2, an affiliate of the group, was created in 2017 to find solutions ahead of time through anticipating problems that businesses might encounter in today’s dynamic market. The group serves hundreds of satisfied clients from eleven different countries spreading over four continents. CSG aspire to be the partner of choice for the card business in the Middle East and Africa region.
To learn more, visit www.k2ss.fr, cardsysa2z.com
Zwipe believes the inherent uniqueness of every person is the key to a safer future. We work with great passion across networks of international organizations, industries, and cultures to make convenience safe and secure. We are pioneering next-generation biometric card and wearables technology for payment and physical & logical access control and identification solutions. We promise our customers and partners deep insight and frictionless solutions, ensuring a seamless user experience with our innovative biometric products and services. Zwipe is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with a global presence.
To learn more, visit zwipe.com
For further information please contact: André Løvestam, CEO, +47 991 6135 info@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY and MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – 31st December 2021 – Biometric fintech company Zwipe and Forzacard, the leading domestic card manufacturer in Mexico, have agreed to develop and launch biometric cards powered by Zwipe and bring these innovations to banks and organizations looking for the latest solutions based on biometric card-authentication in Central and North America.
Forzacard is a Mexico-City based 100% Mexican company, founded in 1991, delivering more than 25 million payment cards per year across multiple countries. The company has extensive operations in Central and North America and is part of Forzaform Group, one of the oldest and most respected industrial groups in the secure printing industry. Forzacard offers a wide range of payment products and services and is a Visa, MasterCard and Carnet certified manufacturer.
“Partnering with Zwipe to develop the next generation contactless experience aligns strongly with our mission of continuous innovation. Biometric capabilities uniquely combine convenience with security and safety, uplifting the card payment experience to completely new levels. Integrating Zwipe Pay ONE into our smart card program will be key to competing and securing future business in this fast-emerging segment.” says Mauricio Benavides President of Forzaform.
Starting with biometric payment cards, Zwipe will deliver the Zwipe Pay ONE technology platform, technical guidance, and market support services as part of the agreement.
Speaking on the partnership, André Løvestam, CEO at Zwipe says “Mexico is leading the way in the adoption of biometric payment cards in Central and North America. Partnering with Forzacard in Mexico will enable us to respond to a strong and growing demand for biometric payment cards from banks and payment service providers in that region.”
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About Forzacard
Forzacard has always been at the forefront of bringing payment innovations to banks in Mexico since its inception in 1991 and part of ForzaForm S.A. de C.V., a 100% Mexican Corporation of world class. The company’s growth is driven by its wide variety of products and processed materials alongside extensive R&D and continuous investments in emerging technologies, always guaranteeing highest levels of quality and security.
About Zwipe
Zwipe is pioneering the next generation contactless payments experience, providing biometric payment cards components and wearables technology that enable consumers to authorize transactions with their fingerprints without compromising their privacy. Together with an ecosystem of partners including global brands within digital security and financial services, Zwipe is "Making Convenience Safe & Secure" for banks, merchants and consumers. Zwipe's solutions address the hygiene and data theft pitfalls inherent in traditional authentication methods. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with a global presence, Zwipe is leading the next great shift in payments from contactless to contact free.
For more information contact: André Løvestam, CEO, +47 991 66 135, info@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY and BEIRUT, LEBANON – 27 DECEMBER 2021 – Zwipe is pleased to announce that a medium sized bank in Levant has confirmed a pilot of biometric payment cards enabled with Zwipe Pay ONE in the first half of 2022. The bank is one of the leading brands in the wealth management segment serving thousands of high net-worth and affluent consumers. Zwipe’s single silicon biometric payment card platform has triggered a lot of interest across many markets in the Middle East where banks are well known to use modern digital platforms to deliver world-class user experience and security.
The bank will be supported with the pilot by one of Zwipe’s well-established strategic partners in the region, areeba, that was also amongst the first in the region to recognize the great potential of biometric payments when it launched pilots with many leading banks in the region in 2018. areeba is a well-recognized innovator in the region, pursuing a strategy of driving digital transformation and service excellence through modern technologies.
Speaking on this development, Maher Mikati, CEO at areeba said, “We are always seeking to make use of the latest technologies available to make life more convenient and safer for our esteemed clients. With biometric payments we will significantly enhance user experience and security of our card payment products. We are pleased to pilot the latest generation of biometric cards with Zwipe and this leading bank in wealth management and private banking in the region.”
Ramzi Saboury, General Manager of Zwipe in MENA Region said: “We are very proud that, just weeks after deciding to issue biometric payment cards for their customers in Lebanon and Iraq respectively, areeba is ready to issue biometric payment cards as a service to other issuers in collaboration with Zwipe. We are confident that the pilot will show how biometric payment cards can help the bank to attract new customers, uplift customer loyalty and ensure excellent returns from their payment portfolio. Zwipe will be supporting the bank through all stages of the pilot journey, ensuring smooth pilots with strong end user focus.”
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About areeba
areeba is an electronic payment technology company licensed by Visa and MasterCard and has an agreement with American Express & Discover. Established in 2017, areeba adopts the latest technologies and provides solutions and payment services to banks, governments and merchants to suit their aspirations and needs.
areeba offers services tailored to global requirements, from card issuance and management, non-contact payment solutions, contactless and mobile payment. It also provides merchants and governments with the latest e-commerce platform and point-of-sale machines that adopt the highest standards and safety systems. areeba operates a wide range of loyalty programs, including collecting points and miles, cashback programs, and providing consultancy services for the planning, design and development of electronic products and payment solutions.
For more information, visit www.areeba.com, or @areebalebanon on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram. areeba media contact: Nouchka El Hage, +961-1-954325 - NHage@areeba.com
About Zwipe
Zwipe believes the inherent uniqueness of every person is the key to a safer future. We work with great passion across networks of international organizations, industries and cultures to make convenience safe and secure. We are pioneering next-generation biometric card and wearables technology for payment and physical & logical access control and identification solutions. We promise our customers and partners deep insight and frictionless solutions, ensuring a seamless user experience with our innovative biometric products and services. Zwipe is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with a global presence.
To learn more, visit zwipe.com. For further information please contact: André Løvestam, CEO, +47 991 66 135, info@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY, HYDERABAD and PUNE, INDIA - 27 DECEMBER 2021 – Zwipe, KL HI-TECH and Easy Pay can confirm that they will pilot biometric payment cards in India, aiming for commercial launches by summer 2022. Easy Pay is one of the fastest growing payment brands in India whose services are used by over 2 million retail stores and millions of consumers. Zwipe is a fintech pioneering the development of next generation biometric payment solutions.
Founded in 2014, Easy Pay has grown rapidly to become a leading payment brand for merchants and consumers in India. “Paisa Nikal” is an AADHAR Enabled Payment Service (AEPS) which has been ideated and executed by Easy Pay allowing hassle-free and safe transactions for millions of users. In 2020, it processed payment transactions worth USD 8.4 billion (expected to reach USD 12 billion in 2021). Easy Pay has now decided to issue next generation biometric payment cards in collaboration with Zwipe and KL HI-TECH, Zwipe’s manufacturing partner in India.
Speaking on this development, Nilay Patel, Founder & CEO of Easy Pay said, “We are very pleased to bring the next generation contactless cards to India, enabling world-class security, safety and experience for our customers. We see many use cases for biometrics beyond payments, for example access cards for use in hotel chains, as well as high-end real-estate and smart city projects where we have long term contracts and a demanding client base. Following internal tests and external pilots we aim for commercial launches of biometric payment cards during summer of 2022.”
Besides the core biometric card technology, Zwipe will also support Easy Pay through all stages of the pilot ensuring that end users’ experiences and feedback are systematically captured and impact on business case thoroughly assessed.
André Løvestam, CEO of Zwipe said, “We are proud to confirm our first pilot in India, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing payment markets. Easy Pay has been a pioneer in driving innovative payment services and biometrics will enable them to further drive differentiation based on security, safety, and user experience. We are delighted that our card manufacturing partner, KL HI-TECH, is part of this exciting journey which we very much look forward to pursuing together”.
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About Easy Pay
Easy Pay is an emerging Payment Solutions Company which is creating its own niche in the Fintech Industry. Formed by highly professional and technological advanced team members and backed by strong corporate ethics. The team works in bridging solutions mainly in the area of payments and bio-metrics. It is India’s upcoming payment domain that facilitates all kinds of payments for everyone and everywhere under one umbrella.
Paisa Nikal is an AADHAR Enabled Payment Service (AEPS) which is ideated & executed by Easy Pay which allows quick, hassle-free & safe transactions. This futuristic model is designed to empower retailers for making digital transactions fast & automated. We're offering comfort & convenience to both the retailers and consumers. Moreover, it even extends electronic payment services to large social strata of customers that do not have the means to pay electronically. It even manages payments for multiple institutional clients and provides them with innovative solutions for business expansion.
This unique business model allows facilitating payments with multiple modes such as cash, card, cheque, net-banking, e-wallet & etc. With much pride & enthusiasm, we're vigorously contributing to the #DigitalIndia Campaign!
Website: www.easypay.in
About Zwipe
Zwipe believes the inherent uniqueness of every person is the key to a safer future. We work with great passion across networks of international organizations, industries & cultures to make convenience safe & secure. We are pioneering next-generation biometric card and wearables technology for both payment and physical & logical access control and identification solutions. We promise our customers and partners deep insight and frictionless solutions, ensuring a seamless user experience with our innovative biometric products and services. Zwipe is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with a global presence.
To learn more, visit zwipe.com For further information please contact: André Løvestam, CEO, +47 991 66 135, info@zwipe.com
About KL HI-TECH
KL HI-TECH Secure Print Limited (KLHT) is a leading provider of secure print products and printing solutions. Commencing its operations in 1988, KLHT has played a pioneering role in enabling secure payment transactions, banking services and facilitating tele communications in India through its secure print products. At its sprawling state-of-the-art highly secure manufacturing facility located in Hyderabad, the company operates using stringent global standards that are required to manufacture a range of security printing products. The company is certified by Visa, Mastercard & RuPay (National Payments Corporation of India). As per the Nilson Report (2020) KL HI-TECH is the 2nd largest banking card manufacturer in India and 31st largest banking card manufacturer in the world.
KLHT’s business ideology revolves around the prime objective of providing comprehensive, fool-proof security in critical secure print products. KLHT plays a pivotal role by manufacturing products for Banks and Financial Institutions, Central and State Governments, Educational Boards and Institutions, Telecom Sector, Nationwide Election Commissions and Transport Sector.
Exporting to over 52 countries across the Globe, KLHT aims to become one of the leading suppliers of secure print products globally, whilst also pioneering innovation and change to the way payments are made in India and across the globe.
For further information please contact Kartik Shekar, VP – Projects, kartik@klhitech.com, +91 8008 188 466
OSLO, NORWAY – 22 December 2021 – Zwipe has received a commercial order worth MNOK 0.6 for Zwipe Pay ONE. This is the first Zwipe Pay ONE order from this card manufacturer and will be delivered in Q1 2022.
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About Zwipe
Zwipe believes the inherent uniqueness of every person is the key to a safer future. We work with great passion across networks of international organizations, industries and cultures to make convenience safe and secure. We are pioneering next-generation biometric card and wearables technology for payment and physical & logical access control and identification solutions. We promise our customers and partners deep insight and frictionless solutions, ensuring a seamless user experience with our innovative biometric products and services. Zwipe is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with a global presence.
To learn more, visit zwipe.com
For further information please contact: André Løvestam, CEO, +47 991 66 135 info@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY - 22 December 2021
With our eyes set on the long-awaited commercial breakthrough for Zwipe which now seems highly likely to happen in 2022, we have spent the last four years undergoing a transformation which has laid the foundation for Zwipe’s long-term success:
Each step on this journey, and each new partner and customer in our ecosystem, contributes to increasing the value creation potential and reducing the risk for Zwipe and its stakeholders. We have indeed come a long way in that regard.
A transformative year
Even on this backdrop, 2021 has been a transformative year for Zwipe:
Adding to our confidence in our future outlook is the universal evidence from numerous consumer surveys from diverse markets around the world that cardholders worldwide will benefit greatly from the touch-less and PIN-free experience with world-class security that is made possible by biometric payment and access control cards. Consumers’ strong trust in and demand for biometrics has been consistent with the findings from our industry peers and other analyst reports.
We also demonstrated Zwipe Pay ONE sample cards from several of our clients, showcased all the Zwipe Pay ONE components, and demonstrated live transactions with Zwipe Pay ONE enabled biometric cards, along with a range of innovative enrolment solutions, at TRUSTECH 2021 in Paris.
Figure 1: Zwipe Pay ONE based cards from Masria Digital Payments (Egypt). KL Hi-Tech (India), Tag Systems (Andorra), Toppan Forms (Hong Kong), Inkript (Lebanon) and Beautiful Cards Corporation (Taiwan).
Figure 2: Left-hand photos are the front and back of a transparent demo card based on Zwipe Pay ONE. Middle photos are the ZPO passive inlay and the ZPO enrolment sleeve, while the right-hand photos are ZPO module on reel (contact plate with single silicon secure element mounted on the back) and the IDX3405 sensor on 35mm tape.
Closing in on pilots and certification
Like most other companies engaged in multinational development projects, Zwipe has felt the effects of COVID-19 through added complexity, extended lead times and delays. I have been impressed by the grit and determination of my team and our technology partners, systematically overcoming the hurdles as they come.
Having said that, we have made good progress with many issuers that signed up for pilots through 2021. This ranges from running internal tests of biometric cards at issuers to helping their engagements with schemes and supporting them with guidance in preparing the issuing backend to process biometric payments. And feedback from customers has been great; “Paying has been super easy and fast”. That’s exactly what you want to hear from the field!
Next milestone is the submission of Zwipe Pay ONE based reference cards for certification by both VISA and Mastercard. Zwipe’s technology partner, Idemia, announced in November 2021, that it had obtained full certification from both schemes for its F.CODE biometric payment card. These certifications (Letters of Approval) represent full validation of the core components in our Zwipe Pay ONE platform, notably the shared single silicon biometric secure element, where Idemia and Zwipe have co-invested since 2019, and the IDX3405 fingerprint sensor from Idex Biometrics.
The Zwipers
Last, and most importantly, I want to express my deep gratitude to the exceptional Team of Zwipers around the world whose passion and grit continued to create so much value for our customers, partners, and shareholders through this challenging pandemic which has taken its toll on everyone. The purpose of our efforts is to give everyone the power of access by being themselves no matter where they are or who they are.
My sincere thanks also go out to all our customers, partners, and shareholders for sharing our mission and supporting our journey.
I wish each one of you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!
OSLO, NORWAY and BAGHDAD, IRAQ – 22 December 2021 - Zwipe and International Network for Cards and Digital Payment Services (INC) are pleased to confirm that they will pilot Biometric Payment Cards in Iraq. This will be the first biometric payment card pilot in the country. As one of the fastest growing cards and payments companies in Iraq, INC will be offering issuance of white label biometric cards as a service for banks and other payment companies.
In collaboration with Zwipe, INC will incorporate biometric payment cards in its portfolio and offer it as a standard payment product to its client banks in the Iraqi market, with the first client being INC’s own NEO Visa cards which will be introduced as the first biometric plastic cards in Iraq.
This development was made possible through INC’s strategic partner Nymcard which confirmed in September 2021 its collaboration with the Norwegian technology company Zwipe to bring biometric payment cards to the MENA region.
Speaking on this development, Zaid Fawzi, CEO and Founder of INC, said: “We are proud to step up our collaboration with Zwipe and bring the next generation contactless experience to Iraq. Our partnership with Zwipe has greatly strengthened INC’s mission to deliver payment solutions with state-of-the-art security and world-class user experience. Our pilot in Iraq with the NEO Visa cards will be the first step in bringing this fantastic product to other players in the market.”
General Manager for MENA region at Zwipe, Ramzi Saboury said: “Our partnership with NymCard and its subsidiaries in the region such as INC will greatly accelerate the deployment of next generation contactless cards. I am happy to launch this pilot project with INC in Iraq - a large market with huge growth potential. It is worth mentioning that the Central Bank of Iraq has already endorsed our initiative to bring biometric payment cards to Iraq and is encouraging all Iraqi banks to be part of this exciting innovation.”
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About INC
The International Network for Cards and digital payment services (INC) is an Iraqi registered company and holds a license as Issuer and Processor to practice business in electronic payments from the Central Bank of Iraq No. (7) according to Law No. (56) issued in 2004. Through its NEO brand, INC has released a state of the art mobile app featuring a digital wallet, and enabled online card payments to its customers via the first virtual Visa card in Iraq, in addition to other card programs such as NEO Visa Gift and NEO Visa Travel, available as physical plastic cards with the aim to increase financial inclusion in the Iraqi market.
About Zwipe
Zwipe believes the inherent uniqueness of every person is the key to a safer future. We work with great passion across networks of international organizations, industries & cultures to make convenience safe & secure. We are pioneering next-generation biometric card and wearables technology for both payment and physical & logical access control and identification solutions. We promise our customers and partners deep insight and frictionless solutions, ensuring a seamless user experience with our innovative biometric products and services. Zwipe is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with a global presence.
To learn more, visit zwipe.com
For further information please contact: André Løvestam, CEO, +47 991 66 135, info@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY – 31 January 2021 – Zwipe AS, a biometric fintech pioneering the development of next generation biometric solutions in payments and access control, has appointed Danielle Glenn as its new CFO and Head of IR effective from 1 May 2022.
Ms. Glenn (44) will join Zwipe from her current position as CFO of Arctic Bioscience AS, a Norwegian biotech company. While at Arctic Bioscience, Ms. Glenn managed the company’s capital markets activities including its MNOK 300 IPO on Euronext Growth Market in Oslo in February 2021. In addition to her responsibilities as CFO, she was also responsible for Investor Relations and heavily involved in setting the company’s overall strategic, commercial, operating and investment plans. At Zwipe, she will help lead the company through its next phase of international commercialization as the company approaches mass volume rollout of biometric cards withing payments and access control.
“Zwipe is continually expanding the commercial and strategic opportunities for its unique biometric technology. Danielle’s background as a CFO operating at the intersection of finance, commercial operations, technology and investor relations in fast-growing companies as well as her deep experience from international capital markets will provide us with the financial skill set we need to increase long-term stakeholder value in the coming years,” says André Løvestam, CEO of Zwipe.
Prior to joining Arctic Bioscience, Ms. Glenn worked in several management roles with start-up and scale-up companies in Norway upon moving to Oslo in 2016. She spent the majority of her career in London and New York, working at Goldman Sachs, Caxton Associates and Bywater Capital as a global macro hedge fund manager and Chief Investment Officer. Ms. Glenn graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a BA in History and Science.
“I am impressed by the innovation Zwipe is demonstrating in the fintech space, honoured by the confidence management and the Board has placed in me, and excited to help build upon Zwipe’s strong commercial and technological momentum. I very much look forward to joining a Norwegian company with global ambitions and an impressive international team,” says Ms. Glenn.
Ms. Glenn will take over from Lars Kristian Solheim who has decided to pursue other opportunities. Mr. Solheim has been the CFO since March 2020 and continues as CFO of the company through April 2022.
“On behalf of the whole management team and Board, I would like to thank Lars Kristian for his hard work and unquestionable dedication. He has acted as CFO during an important and transformative stage in our growth story, providing valuable contributions and wise counsel. I wish him the very best in all his future endeavours,” says Mr. Løvestam, CEO of Zwipe.
For further information, please contact:
André Løvestam
CEO of Zwipe AS
Phone: +47 934 36 952
Email: andre@zwipe.com
This is information that Zwipe AS is obligated to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation on Euronext Growth Oslo and on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Stockholm. Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North is FNCA Sweden AB, info@fnca.se, +46 (0) 8528 00 399. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 13:30 CET on 31 January 2022.
About Zwipe
Zwipe believes the inherent uniqueness of every person is the key to a safer future. The company works across networks of international organizations, industries and cultures to make convenience safe and secure. Zwipe is pioneering next-generation biometric card and wearables technology for payments, physical & logical access control, and identification solutions. The company promises customers and partners deep insight and frictionless solutions, ensuring a seamless user experience with our innovative biometric products and services. Zwipe is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with a global presence.
OSLO, NORWAY – 20 January 2022 – Primary insider André Løvestam, CEO of Zwipe AS (the "Company"), has today exercised 384,000 stock options, each giving the right to acquire one share in the Company at a strike price of NOK 10.00. The stock options have been allocated to André Løvestam under the Company's stock option incentive program. After completion of the transaction, André Løvestam will, through Energetic AS and privately, own 1,300,000 shares and hold 306,000 options, each giving the right to acquire one share in the Company.
Attached is a copy of the form submitted to the Norwegian FSA, Finanstilsynet, reporting the transaction as listed above:
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About Zwipe
Zwipe is pioneering the next generation contactless payments experience, providing biometric payment cards components and wearables technology that enable consumers to authorize transactions with their fingerprints without compromising their privacy. Together with an ecosystem of partners including global brands within digital security and financial services, Zwipe is "Making Convenience Safe & Secure" for banks, merchants and consumers. Zwipe's solutions address the hygiene and data theft pitfalls inherent in traditional authentication methods. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with a global presence, Zwipe is leading the next great shift in payments from contactless to contact free. To learn more, visit www.zwipe.com
For more information, please contact:
Lars Kristian Solheim, CFO
+47 991 661 35
lars.kristian@zwipe.com
This is information that Zwipe AS is obligated to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation on Euronext Growth Oslo and on Nasdaq First North Growth Market Stockholm. Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North is FNCA Sweden AB, info@fnca.se, +46 (0) 8528 00 399. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 12:45 CET on 20 January 2022.
OSLO, NORWAY and PARIS, FRANCE – 19 January 2022 – Biometric fintech company Zwipe and K2 sas, an affiliate of Cards Systems Group (CSG) and a leading provider of payment card personalization solutions in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) have partnered to address the growing demand for biometric payment solutions in the region. Together with CSG, the parties will bring the next generation payment cards to the MEA region and France.
CSG is an international service and integrated solution provider for card management systems. Founded in 2008, it operates in over 20 countries to offer turnkey card payment and issuance solutions. The group works with major banks, personalization bureaus and card manufacturers to ensure their delivery readiness and provide the latest technology and security standards set by Mastercard, Visa and regulators. Currently CSG’s solutions are utilized by 100 customers and over 10 million payment cards annually.
Speaking on the partnership, Bassam Al Khatib, Chief Executive Officer of K2, said: “Our collaboration with Zwipe will be a catalyst in accelerating the deployment of biometric payment cards across the MEA region and France, markets well-known to us. It is time for banks to embrace next generation contactless cards using the cutting-edge biometric technology that Zwipe brings to the payment marketplace and end users. We will leverage our large network of existing bank clients to conduct multiple pilots, starting already in H1 2022, followed by commercial launches”.
Zwipe will provide K2 and CSG with technical support and services for the implementation of Zwipe Pay biometric cards including value added services for issuers. These cards will be manufactured and delivered by Zwipe’s certified smart card manufacturers in the region.
“K2 and CSG are very important additions in our fast-growing delivery ecosystem and will be a key enabler for our accelerated growth in the MEA region and France. The Group is also a highly respected brand in delivering card personalization solutions and trusted by leading banks in the entire region. I am confident that this partnership will lead to multiple commercial launches of Biometric Payment Cards,” said Ramzi Saboury, General Manager at Zwipe for MENA region.
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About K2 / Cards Systems Group
A team of EMV specialists that joined forces in 2009 to establish an aggressive and farsighted organization. K2, an affiliate of the group, was created in 2017 to find solutions ahead of time through anticipating problems that businesses might encounter in today’s dynamic market. The group serves hundreds of satisfied clients from eleven different countries spreading over four continents. CSG aspire to be the partner of choice for the card business in the Middle East and Africa region.
To learn more, visit www.k2ss.fr, cardsysa2z.com
Zwipe believes the inherent uniqueness of every person is the key to a safer future. We work with great passion across networks of international organizations, industries, and cultures to make convenience safe and secure. We are pioneering next-generation biometric card and wearables technology for payment and physical & logical access control and identification solutions. We promise our customers and partners deep insight and frictionless solutions, ensuring a seamless user experience with our innovative biometric products and services. Zwipe is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with a global presence.
To learn more, visit zwipe.com
For further information please contact: André Løvestam, CEO, +47 991 6135 info@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY and MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – 31st December 2021 – Biometric fintech company Zwipe and Forzacard, the leading domestic card manufacturer in Mexico, have agreed to develop and launch biometric cards powered by Zwipe and bring these innovations to banks and organizations looking for the latest solutions based on biometric card-authentication in Central and North America.
Forzacard is a Mexico-City based 100% Mexican company, founded in 1991, delivering more than 25 million payment cards per year across multiple countries. The company has extensive operations in Central and North America and is part of Forzaform Group, one of the oldest and most respected industrial groups in the secure printing industry. Forzacard offers a wide range of payment products and services and is a Visa, MasterCard and Carnet certified manufacturer.
“Partnering with Zwipe to develop the next generation contactless experience aligns strongly with our mission of continuous innovation. Biometric capabilities uniquely combine convenience with security and safety, uplifting the card payment experience to completely new levels. Integrating Zwipe Pay ONE into our smart card program will be key to competing and securing future business in this fast-emerging segment.” says Mauricio Benavides President of Forzaform.
Starting with biometric payment cards, Zwipe will deliver the Zwipe Pay ONE technology platform, technical guidance, and market support services as part of the agreement.
Speaking on the partnership, André Løvestam, CEO at Zwipe says “Mexico is leading the way in the adoption of biometric payment cards in Central and North America. Partnering with Forzacard in Mexico will enable us to respond to a strong and growing demand for biometric payment cards from banks and payment service providers in that region.”
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About Forzacard
Forzacard has always been at the forefront of bringing payment innovations to banks in Mexico since its inception in 1991 and part of ForzaForm S.A. de C.V., a 100% Mexican Corporation of world class. The company’s growth is driven by its wide variety of products and processed materials alongside extensive R&D and continuous investments in emerging technologies, always guaranteeing highest levels of quality and security.
About Zwipe
Zwipe is pioneering the next generation contactless payments experience, providing biometric payment cards components and wearables technology that enable consumers to authorize transactions with their fingerprints without compromising their privacy. Together with an ecosystem of partners including global brands within digital security and financial services, Zwipe is "Making Convenience Safe & Secure" for banks, merchants and consumers. Zwipe's solutions address the hygiene and data theft pitfalls inherent in traditional authentication methods. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with a global presence, Zwipe is leading the next great shift in payments from contactless to contact free.
For more information contact: André Løvestam, CEO, +47 991 66 135, info@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY and BEIRUT, LEBANON – 27 DECEMBER 2021 – Zwipe is pleased to announce that a medium sized bank in Levant has confirmed a pilot of biometric payment cards enabled with Zwipe Pay ONE in the first half of 2022. The bank is one of the leading brands in the wealth management segment serving thousands of high net-worth and affluent consumers. Zwipe’s single silicon biometric payment card platform has triggered a lot of interest across many markets in the Middle East where banks are well known to use modern digital platforms to deliver world-class user experience and security.
The bank will be supported with the pilot by one of Zwipe’s well-established strategic partners in the region, areeba, that was also amongst the first in the region to recognize the great potential of biometric payments when it launched pilots with many leading banks in the region in 2018. areeba is a well-recognized innovator in the region, pursuing a strategy of driving digital transformation and service excellence through modern technologies.
Speaking on this development, Maher Mikati, CEO at areeba said, “We are always seeking to make use of the latest technologies available to make life more convenient and safer for our esteemed clients. With biometric payments we will significantly enhance user experience and security of our card payment products. We are pleased to pilot the latest generation of biometric cards with Zwipe and this leading bank in wealth management and private banking in the region.”
Ramzi Saboury, General Manager of Zwipe in MENA Region said: “We are very proud that, just weeks after deciding to issue biometric payment cards for their customers in Lebanon and Iraq respectively, areeba is ready to issue biometric payment cards as a service to other issuers in collaboration with Zwipe. We are confident that the pilot will show how biometric payment cards can help the bank to attract new customers, uplift customer loyalty and ensure excellent returns from their payment portfolio. Zwipe will be supporting the bank through all stages of the pilot journey, ensuring smooth pilots with strong end user focus.”
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About areeba
areeba is an electronic payment technology company licensed by Visa and MasterCard and has an agreement with American Express & Discover. Established in 2017, areeba adopts the latest technologies and provides solutions and payment services to banks, governments and merchants to suit their aspirations and needs.
areeba offers services tailored to global requirements, from card issuance and management, non-contact payment solutions, contactless and mobile payment. It also provides merchants and governments with the latest e-commerce platform and point-of-sale machines that adopt the highest standards and safety systems. areeba operates a wide range of loyalty programs, including collecting points and miles, cashback programs, and providing consultancy services for the planning, design and development of electronic products and payment solutions.
For more information, visit www.areeba.com, or @areebalebanon on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram. areeba media contact: Nouchka El Hage, +961-1-954325 - NHage@areeba.com
About Zwipe
Zwipe believes the inherent uniqueness of every person is the key to a safer future. We work with great passion across networks of international organizations, industries and cultures to make convenience safe and secure. We are pioneering next-generation biometric card and wearables technology for payment and physical & logical access control and identification solutions. We promise our customers and partners deep insight and frictionless solutions, ensuring a seamless user experience with our innovative biometric products and services. Zwipe is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with a global presence.
To learn more, visit zwipe.com. For further information please contact: André Løvestam, CEO, +47 991 66 135, info@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY, HYDERABAD and PUNE, INDIA - 27 DECEMBER 2021 – Zwipe, KL HI-TECH and Easy Pay can confirm that they will pilot biometric payment cards in India, aiming for commercial launches by summer 2022. Easy Pay is one of the fastest growing payment brands in India whose services are used by over 2 million retail stores and millions of consumers. Zwipe is a fintech pioneering the development of next generation biometric payment solutions.
Founded in 2014, Easy Pay has grown rapidly to become a leading payment brand for merchants and consumers in India. “Paisa Nikal” is an AADHAR Enabled Payment Service (AEPS) which has been ideated and executed by Easy Pay allowing hassle-free and safe transactions for millions of users. In 2020, it processed payment transactions worth USD 8.4 billion (expected to reach USD 12 billion in 2021). Easy Pay has now decided to issue next generation biometric payment cards in collaboration with Zwipe and KL HI-TECH, Zwipe’s manufacturing partner in India.
Speaking on this development, Nilay Patel, Founder & CEO of Easy Pay said, “We are very pleased to bring the next generation contactless cards to India, enabling world-class security, safety and experience for our customers. We see many use cases for biometrics beyond payments, for example access cards for use in hotel chains, as well as high-end real-estate and smart city projects where we have long term contracts and a demanding client base. Following internal tests and external pilots we aim for commercial launches of biometric payment cards during summer of 2022.”
Besides the core biometric card technology, Zwipe will also support Easy Pay through all stages of the pilot ensuring that end users’ experiences and feedback are systematically captured and impact on business case thoroughly assessed.
André Løvestam, CEO of Zwipe said, “We are proud to confirm our first pilot in India, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing payment markets. Easy Pay has been a pioneer in driving innovative payment services and biometrics will enable them to further drive differentiation based on security, safety, and user experience. We are delighted that our card manufacturing partner, KL HI-TECH, is part of this exciting journey which we very much look forward to pursuing together”.
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About Easy Pay
Easy Pay is an emerging Payment Solutions Company which is creating its own niche in the Fintech Industry. Formed by highly professional and technological advanced team members and backed by strong corporate ethics. The team works in bridging solutions mainly in the area of payments and bio-metrics. It is India’s upcoming payment domain that facilitates all kinds of payments for everyone and everywhere under one umbrella.
Paisa Nikal is an AADHAR Enabled Payment Service (AEPS) which is ideated & executed by Easy Pay which allows quick, hassle-free & safe transactions. This futuristic model is designed to empower retailers for making digital transactions fast & automated. We're offering comfort & convenience to both the retailers and consumers. Moreover, it even extends electronic payment services to large social strata of customers that do not have the means to pay electronically. It even manages payments for multiple institutional clients and provides them with innovative solutions for business expansion.
This unique business model allows facilitating payments with multiple modes such as cash, card, cheque, net-banking, e-wallet & etc. With much pride & enthusiasm, we're vigorously contributing to the #DigitalIndia Campaign!
Website: www.easypay.in
About Zwipe
Zwipe believes the inherent uniqueness of every person is the key to a safer future. We work with great passion across networks of international organizations, industries & cultures to make convenience safe & secure. We are pioneering next-generation biometric card and wearables technology for both payment and physical & logical access control and identification solutions. We promise our customers and partners deep insight and frictionless solutions, ensuring a seamless user experience with our innovative biometric products and services. Zwipe is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with a global presence.
To learn more, visit zwipe.com For further information please contact: André Løvestam, CEO, +47 991 66 135, info@zwipe.com
About KL HI-TECH
KL HI-TECH Secure Print Limited (KLHT) is a leading provider of secure print products and printing solutions. Commencing its operations in 1988, KLHT has played a pioneering role in enabling secure payment transactions, banking services and facilitating tele communications in India through its secure print products. At its sprawling state-of-the-art highly secure manufacturing facility located in Hyderabad, the company operates using stringent global standards that are required to manufacture a range of security printing products. The company is certified by Visa, Mastercard & RuPay (National Payments Corporation of India). As per the Nilson Report (2020) KL HI-TECH is the 2nd largest banking card manufacturer in India and 31st largest banking card manufacturer in the world.
KLHT’s business ideology revolves around the prime objective of providing comprehensive, fool-proof security in critical secure print products. KLHT plays a pivotal role by manufacturing products for Banks and Financial Institutions, Central and State Governments, Educational Boards and Institutions, Telecom Sector, Nationwide Election Commissions and Transport Sector.
Exporting to over 52 countries across the Globe, KLHT aims to become one of the leading suppliers of secure print products globally, whilst also pioneering innovation and change to the way payments are made in India and across the globe.
For further information please contact Kartik Shekar, VP – Projects, kartik@klhitech.com, +91 8008 188 466
OSLO, NORWAY – 22 December 2021 – Zwipe has received a commercial order worth MNOK 0.6 for Zwipe Pay ONE. This is the first Zwipe Pay ONE order from this card manufacturer and will be delivered in Q1 2022.
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About Zwipe
Zwipe believes the inherent uniqueness of every person is the key to a safer future. We work with great passion across networks of international organizations, industries and cultures to make convenience safe and secure. We are pioneering next-generation biometric card and wearables technology for payment and physical & logical access control and identification solutions. We promise our customers and partners deep insight and frictionless solutions, ensuring a seamless user experience with our innovative biometric products and services. Zwipe is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with a global presence.
To learn more, visit zwipe.com
For further information please contact: André Løvestam, CEO, +47 991 66 135 info@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY - 22 December 2021
With our eyes set on the long-awaited commercial breakthrough for Zwipe which now seems highly likely to happen in 2022, we have spent the last four years undergoing a transformation which has laid the foundation for Zwipe’s long-term success:
Each step on this journey, and each new partner and customer in our ecosystem, contributes to increasing the value creation potential and reducing the risk for Zwipe and its stakeholders. We have indeed come a long way in that regard.
A transformative year
Even on this backdrop, 2021 has been a transformative year for Zwipe:
Adding to our confidence in our future outlook is the universal evidence from numerous consumer surveys from diverse markets around the world that cardholders worldwide will benefit greatly from the touch-less and PIN-free experience with world-class security that is made possible by biometric payment and access control cards. Consumers’ strong trust in and demand for biometrics has been consistent with the findings from our industry peers and other analyst reports.
We also demonstrated Zwipe Pay ONE sample cards from several of our clients, showcased all the Zwipe Pay ONE components, and demonstrated live transactions with Zwipe Pay ONE enabled biometric cards, along with a range of innovative enrolment solutions, at TRUSTECH 2021 in Paris.
Figure 1: Zwipe Pay ONE based cards from Masria Digital Payments (Egypt). KL Hi-Tech (India), Tag Systems (Andorra), Toppan Forms (Hong Kong), Inkript (Lebanon) and Beautiful Cards Corporation (Taiwan).
Figure 2: Left-hand photos are the front and back of a transparent demo card based on Zwipe Pay ONE. Middle photos are the ZPO passive inlay and the ZPO enrolment sleeve, while the right-hand photos are ZPO module on reel (contact plate with single silicon secure element mounted on the back) and the IDX3405 sensor on 35mm tape.
Closing in on pilots and certification
Like most other companies engaged in multinational development projects, Zwipe has felt the effects of COVID-19 through added complexity, extended lead times and delays. I have been impressed by the grit and determination of my team and our technology partners, systematically overcoming the hurdles as they come.
Having said that, we have made good progress with many issuers that signed up for pilots through 2021. This ranges from running internal tests of biometric cards at issuers to helping their engagements with schemes and supporting them with guidance in preparing the issuing backend to process biometric payments. And feedback from customers has been great; “Paying has been super easy and fast”. That’s exactly what you want to hear from the field!
Next milestone is the submission of Zwipe Pay ONE based reference cards for certification by both VISA and Mastercard. Zwipe’s technology partner, Idemia, announced in November 2021, that it had obtained full certification from both schemes for its F.CODE biometric payment card. These certifications (Letters of Approval) represent full validation of the core components in our Zwipe Pay ONE platform, notably the shared single silicon biometric secure element, where Idemia and Zwipe have co-invested since 2019, and the IDX3405 fingerprint sensor from Idex Biometrics.
The Zwipers
Last, and most importantly, I want to express my deep gratitude to the exceptional Team of Zwipers around the world whose passion and grit continued to create so much value for our customers, partners, and shareholders through this challenging pandemic which has taken its toll on everyone. The purpose of our efforts is to give everyone the power of access by being themselves no matter where they are or who they are.
My sincere thanks also go out to all our customers, partners, and shareholders for sharing our mission and supporting our journey.
I wish each one of you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!
OSLO, NORWAY and BAGHDAD, IRAQ – 22 December 2021 - Zwipe and International Network for Cards and Digital Payment Services (INC) are pleased to confirm that they will pilot Biometric Payment Cards in Iraq. This will be the first biometric payment card pilot in the country. As one of the fastest growing cards and payments companies in Iraq, INC will be offering issuance of white label biometric cards as a service for banks and other payment companies.
In collaboration with Zwipe, INC will incorporate biometric payment cards in its portfolio and offer it as a standard payment product to its client banks in the Iraqi market, with the first client being INC’s own NEO Visa cards which will be introduced as the first biometric plastic cards in Iraq.
This development was made possible through INC’s strategic partner Nymcard which confirmed in September 2021 its collaboration with the Norwegian technology company Zwipe to bring biometric payment cards to the MENA region.
Speaking on this development, Zaid Fawzi, CEO and Founder of INC, said: “We are proud to step up our collaboration with Zwipe and bring the next generation contactless experience to Iraq. Our partnership with Zwipe has greatly strengthened INC’s mission to deliver payment solutions with state-of-the-art security and world-class user experience. Our pilot in Iraq with the NEO Visa cards will be the first step in bringing this fantastic product to other players in the market.”
General Manager for MENA region at Zwipe, Ramzi Saboury said: “Our partnership with NymCard and its subsidiaries in the region such as INC will greatly accelerate the deployment of next generation contactless cards. I am happy to launch this pilot project with INC in Iraq - a large market with huge growth potential. It is worth mentioning that the Central Bank of Iraq has already endorsed our initiative to bring biometric payment cards to Iraq and is encouraging all Iraqi banks to be part of this exciting innovation.”
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About INC
The International Network for Cards and digital payment services (INC) is an Iraqi registered company and holds a license as Issuer and Processor to practice business in electronic payments from the Central Bank of Iraq No. (7) according to Law No. (56) issued in 2004. Through its NEO brand, INC has released a state of the art mobile app featuring a digital wallet, and enabled online card payments to its customers via the first virtual Visa card in Iraq, in addition to other card programs such as NEO Visa Gift and NEO Visa Travel, available as physical plastic cards with the aim to increase financial inclusion in the Iraqi market.
About Zwipe
Zwipe believes the inherent uniqueness of every person is the key to a safer future. We work with great passion across networks of international organizations, industries & cultures to make convenience safe & secure. We are pioneering next-generation biometric card and wearables technology for both payment and physical & logical access control and identification solutions. We promise our customers and partners deep insight and frictionless solutions, ensuring a seamless user experience with our innovative biometric products and services. Zwipe is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with a global presence.
To learn more, visit zwipe.com
For further information please contact: André Løvestam, CEO, +47 991 66 135, info@zwipe.com
