OSLO, NORWAY and SINGAPORE – 2 November 2021 - Zwipe, a leading biometrics payment company, announced that it had appointed Claus Hansen as Vice President of Sales and Business Development, Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Mr Hansen will lead Zwipe's engagements with card manufacturers, issuers and technology partners to drive the adoption of biometric payment solutions in APAC.
With this appointment, Zwipe aims to strengthen its foothold in the APAC region. Mr Hansen will be accompanied with two existing colleagues at the newly-established Zwipe subsidiary in Singapore (Zwipe Singapore Pte. Ltd.) The new regional office strongly reinforces Zwipe’s long-term vision to support its partners and customers in the area.
Commenting on this latest Zwipe development in the APAC Region, André Løvestam, CEO of Zwipe said, "Claus's appointment demonstrates our commitment to one of the world's largest and most rapidly growing regions within payments. We have significant customer relationships in the APAC region and are excited by the strong interest that our Zwipe Pay ONE platform has received. Claus's deep smart card industry knowledge and proven track record in successfully launching new payment solutions in APAC will help us accelerate the full potential of our platform.”
Claus Hansen, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, APAC, said, "The Zwipe Pay ONE platform with a Single Silicon Biometric System on Card is a game-changer for the payments industry. I am very excited to join this visionary team of passionate people. Convenience, security and safety are important for consumers' choice of payment option. Zwipe is perfectly positioned to provide innovative card-based solutions allowing our clients to respond to market needs, as well as become the strategic technology partner of choice".
Mr Hansen brings over 25 years of payment technology, cybersecurity, fintech and smart card experience to the role. He has held senior executive management positions across multiple countries in Asia in Entrust, NXP Semiconductors, Gemalto, dz card and Kona I.
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For further information, please contact:
André Løvestam, CEO,
+47 991 66 135
info@zwipe.com
Acceleration på flera fronter
Zwipe fortsätter det höga tempo som bolaget har hållit hittills under året och har presenterat många spännande nyheter senaste kvartalet. Kvartalet har inneburit ett antal nya partnerskap med en mängd olika aktörer i branschen. Mest noterbart är den allt starkare närvaron i Mellanöstern och Asien, med avtal med bland annat partnerskap med go-to-market aktörerna ICPS, Nymcard, QPS och CCM. Vidare har pilotavtal också slutits med MEPS för Levantregionen, Credit Libanais, en större aktör i Libanon, det norska fintech-bolaget Reltime samt en större global Tier-1 bank med pilotlanseringar i tre europeiska länder. Till följd av den allt starkare närvaron i regionen Mellanöstern, Asien och Afrika har en Claus Hansen tillsatts som VP Sales and Business Development för APAC-regionen. (Asien-Stilla-havsregionen). Bolaget har utöver detta tagit viktiga steg i Latinamerika och Karibien, genom ett avtal med det Chile-baserade fintechbolaget IC Payments.
Ytterligare kommersiell order
I vår förra uppdatering lyfte vi fram den stora nyheten att bolaget mottagit sin första order. Den kom från BCC i Taiwan och uppgick till totalt 17 miljoner norska kronor. Kort efter att analysen publicerades följde bolaget upp med att tillkännagiva att Inkript, en av de största betalkortsleverantörerna i Menaregionen (Mellanöstern och Nord-afrika) har lagt en order på totalt 3 miljoner norska kronor. Iochmed detta så stärks bolagets kommersiella momentum ytterligare och det är inte orimligt att tro i detta läge att ytterligare ordrar kan finnas i närtid. Totalt har bolaget idag skarpa ordrar på 20 miljoner norska kronor trots att de i stort fortsatt befinner sig i ett förkommersiellt stadie.
Genombrott med Tier-1 aktörer
Värt att också lyfta fram är de framgångar som Zwipe fortsätter att röna med större globala Tier-1 aktörer. Detta är anmärkningsvärt för flera anledningar, då detta inte nödvändigtvis varit ett fokusområde tidigare för bolaget. Utvärderingen av bolagets Zwipe Pay One plattform sker nu av en global Tier-1 smartkortsleverantör och ett positivt utfall på detta kan få stora effekter. Vidare har bolaget också adderat en europeisk Tier-1 bank som ger ut flera miljoner kort årligen globalt och som skall genomföra en pilot i tre europeiska länder i Q1 2022. Givet ett positivt utfall på detta så siktar banken på en större kommersiell lansering under sommaren 2022. Mycket pekar med andra ord för att 2022 kan bli ett spännande år där det kommersiella genombrottet för biometriska kort tar fart ordentligt.
Bibehållen positiv syn
Kvartalet innehöll inga överraskningar i siffrorna med en omsättning på 0,4 miljoner NOK och ett kassaflöde på -5,3 miljoner NOK per månad. Vi justerar ned våra prognoser på kort sikt men bibehåller den starka synen på lång sikt och upprepar vårt motiverade värde på 43–46 kronor på 12–18 månaders sikt. Bolaget befinner sig fortsatt i ett starkt momentum och vi väntar oss ett intensivt nyhetsflöde de kommande månaderna. Vi ser störst risk i eventuella förseningar i kommersialiseringsprocessen.
OSLO, NORWAY – 26 October 2021
During the third quarter, Zwipe has continued to strengthen its foundation for launching pilots and mass-volume roll out of biometric payment cards.
Mauritius-based ICPS, one of Africa’s leading card personalization and processing service providers, partnered with Zwipe to bring biometric payment cards to Africa and Asia.
A global Tier 1 smartcard manufacturer started the evaluation of the Zwipe Pay ONE platform.
Zwipe received an MNOK 17 (USD 1.9 million) commercial order from Beautiful Card Corporation (BCC) in Taiwan, which produces around 520 million cards annually, of which around 20 million are EMV payment cards.
Middle East Payment Services (MEPS), a Jordan-based commercial issuer of payment cards, announced its decision to pilot Zwipe Pay ONE with executives at up to 20 Financial Institutions in the Levant region1.
Erik Selin invested MNOK 104 in Zwipe through a private placement to further accelerate development and commercialization of Zwipe.
A European-based Global Tier 1 Bank, with several millions of payment cards deployed globally, decided to pilot Zwipe Pay ONE-based Biometric Payment Cards in three European countries. The bank plans for a commercial launch in summer 2022, subject to positive pilot results.
Zwipe received a Commercial Order of MNOK 3 (USD 318,000) from Inkript, one of the largest payment card suppliers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
UAE-based card issuing and processing provider NymCard joined forces with Zwipe to accelerate the deployment of biometric payment cards in the Middle East and Africa.
Zwipe and India-based Que Processing Services (QPS) announced collaboration to bring Zwipe Pay ONE biometric payment cards in Asia and the Middle East.
Zwipe and Lebanon-based Credit Card Management (CCM), who delivers payment services to more than 25 banks in Lebanon, announced collaboration to launch biometric payment card pilots in the country.
Norwegian fintech Reltime selected the Zwipe Pay ONE platform to power its biometric payment card offering as part of its global financial services ecosystem, with the aim to launch pilots from Q1 2022.
Zwipe America Inc. received full forgiveness of the second bank loan of $248 000 through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) which was granted and paid out in the first quarter of 2021.
Significant Events after the period
IC Payments, a Chile based fintech with offices in Uruguay and Argentina as well as a solid network of partners across Latin America, partnered with Zwipe to offer biometric payment solutions in the Latin American and Caribbean markets.
Credit Libanais, one of the largest banks in Lebanon and a principal member of Visa and Mastercard, has chosen to pilot biometric payment card based on Zwipe Pay ONE.
Zwipe has hired Claus Hansen as VP Sales and Business Development in APAC. Claus is based in Singapore and has a long career working in the smart card industry with more than 30 years’ experience in APAC and a broad network in the region.
Comments from the CEO
The third quarter of 2021 has been momentous for Zwipe in many ways.
On the customer side, we received our first commercial orders for subsequent deployments of Zwipe Pay ONE) from BCC in Taiwan and Inkript in Lebanon with a combined value of MNOK 20 (USD 2.2 million). Both players have strong regional positions in Asia and the MENA region respectively.
We are also pleased that a global Tier 1 Smartcard Manufacturer decided to start a comprehensive evaluation of the Zwipe Pay ONE platform, reflecting the relevance and competitiveness of our technology and offering.
On the issuer side, the innovativeness of Middle East Payment Services (MEPS) to launch a large-scale, multi-bank pilot with Zwipe Pay ONE to bank executives across the Levant region1 was a great step forward and has inspired us to develop new concepts for accelerated piloting that reduces upfront preparation for the banks.
I was also thrilled that a European-based global Tier-1 bank decided to launch Zwipe Pay ONE pilots in three European countries with intentions to launch commercially during summer 2022 subject to positive pilot results. Attracting global tier-1 players, not only among processors and card manufacturers, but also among banks, is something we are very proud of at Zwipe.
In addition, Reltime decided to pilot and subsequently launch Zwipe Pay ONE enabled cards to bring world-class security in its decentralized financial services ecosystem.
In parallel with all this, we further strengthened our reach, market coverage, and implementation capabilities in Asia, Africa and the Middle East by finalizing key Go-to-market partnerships with ICPS (part of the HPS Group), NymCard, Que Processing Services and Credit Card Management. Partnerships such as these are vital in order to accelerate developments and maximise the Zwipe Pay ONE opportunity. I refer to this as “the Megaphone effect”.
To help quantify the business case for launching biometric payment cards for issuers and further drive the biometric payment card opportunity across the value chain, we have developed a comprehensive ROI (Return on Investment) Calculator. The calculator demonstrates the financial value of Zwipe Pay ONE to issuers and shows that, even without a card fee paid by the cardholder, Zwipe Pay ONE can deliver a $15m annual net benefit for an average US issuer with a 1 million credit card portfolio. The ROI model has been developed together with recognized external industry experts. We were delighted by the results and the reinforcement of the value that our offering can bring to card issuers. The ROI calculator is now an integral part of our value proposition to issuers to further accelerate the adoption of biometric payment cards.
All in all, I am happy to report that we continue to experience broad-based acknowledgement of Zwipe’s competitiveness and value add for the industry from all parts of the payment ecosystem.
Another significant highlight from the third quarter 2021 was the MNOK 104 investment from the prominent Swedish investor Erik Selin through a private placement of 4,000,000 new shares to further accelerate our ongoing development, commercialization and global expansion.
As previously communicated, Zwipe’s development efforts for Zwipe Pay ONE has passed almost all critical milestones and major risk points, with piloting and certification left before subsequent full commercialization and mass volumes. Together with development and manufacturing partners, we are progressing towards finalization of Zwipe Pay ONE, which will be followed by the formal certification process by our card manufacturing customers with the payment schemes. When verifying Zwipe Pay ONE, it is clear that we will have a very cost competitive offering and enable our customers to launch biometric payment cards with excellent performance resulting in a compelling user experience for cardholders. Similar to many other companies engaged in multinational development projects, the effects of COVID-19 have added complexity and extended lead times to the overall Zwipe Pay ONE development program, but I am pleased with how our organization continues to tackle and overcome challenges and is well positioned to bring a fully commercially available Zwipe Pay ONE offering to market as soon as we have completed the final steps.
Finally, I am very proud of the Zwipe organization. The passion, competence, agility, collaborativeness, responsiveness and winning culture that they live out every day is what fuels our mission and drives us forward on our path to market success, great customer satisfaction and creation of shareholder value.
Financial Update
Total revenues in Q3 2021 were 0.4 MNOK (MNOK 0.1).
Average monthly operational cash flow was MNOK -5.3 in Q3 2021 versus MNOK -4.4 in Q3 2020. The increase is a result of recruitments and higher activity in the company. During 2021, Zwipe has increased its staff in response to the increased number of customer engagements and growing demand for piloting and deployment of our payment solutions and services.
The closing cash balance at the end of Q3 2021 was MNOK 183.7 (MNOK 117.3). The development in cash balance since end of Q2 2021 (MNOK 94.9) is primarily a result of operational cash flow of MNOK -15.8 and the private placement to Erik Selin of MNOK 104 in August 2021.
As Zwipe received full forgiveness of the second PPP loan in August, Zwipe is again debt-free.
Footnote 1: The Levant region includes Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Turkey and Israel
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This is information that Zwipe AS is obligated to make public pursuant to the continuing obligations of companies admitted to trading on Euronext Growth Oslo, Nasdaq First North Growth Market and the EU Market Abuse Regulation. 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 below, at 08:00 CEST on 26 October 2021.
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:
André Løvestam
+47 991 661 35
ir@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY and BEIRUT, LEBANON – 21 October 2021 - Zwipe is proud to announce a pilot of the new generation of biometric payment card based on Zwipe Pay ONE, with Credit Libanais, one of the largest banks in Lebanon. The bank is a principal member of Visa and Mastercard and has under its affiliation three other banks.
Across many markets globally, and especially in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Zwipe has experienced a strong and growing interest in biometric payment cards from banks and payment service providers. Biometric payment cards deliver world-class security and a completely touch-less user experience to cardholders, enabling improved loyalty and accelerated customer acquisition for the banks, creating a solid business case.
Speaking on this development, Randa Bdeir, Deputy General Manager at Credit Libanais said, “Post pandemic, we have seen a strong demand for touch-less checkout as they are safer and much more hygienic which this innovation will directly address; and that is why we have partnered with Zwipe, a global leader in biometric payment card technologies, to pilot a new generation of Biometric Payment Cards that will deliver a significantly improved user experience and security for our retail clients. We are truly proud to partner with Zwipe and be the pioneers to deploy such an important development in the entire region.”
Besides the core biometric payment card technology, Zwipe will also support Credit Libanais through all pilot stages, ensuring that all end users’ experiences and feedback are systematically captured and their impact on business case assessed.
Ramzi Saboury, General Manager of Zwipe in the MENA Region said: “The banking sector in Lebanon is demonstrating its appetite for innovation. We are thrilled that Zwipe Pay ONE technology has been chosen and looking forward to supporting the pilot and commercial launch by Credit Libanais.”
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About Credit Libanais
Since its establishment in 1961, Credit Libanais has developed technologically - advanced services to support its business. The Bank has one of the largest networks in Lebanon including local and international outreach in Cyprus, Bahrain and a subsidiary bank in Senegal. Year after year, Credit Libanais reaffirms its commitment to conducting business with high ethical standards and sustainability in mind.
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 zwipe.com
For further information, please contact: André Løvestam, CEO, +47 991 66 135 info@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY and SANTIAGO, CHILE – 19 October 2021 – IC Payment is partnering with Zwipe, a Norway-based biometric fintech, to offer biometric payment solutions in the Latin American and Caribbean markets.
IC Payment is a Fintech, expert in the development of new technologies behind different payment methods. It is based in Santiago de Chile with offices in Uruguay and Argentina as well as a solid network of partners across Latin America. IC Payment offers a complete set of payment solutions for both in person and digital environments. Highlighting its instant issuance solution for financial cards through a self-service model, called "Instant CardPoint". Allowing to issue a card instantly ready to be used without limitations of designs, brands, or customer service hours.
Speaking on this collaboration, Mr. Christian Herrera, CEO of IC Payment, said "Biometric payment cards are attracting increased interest from issuers as they deliver a much better user experience through transaction security and safety. We are delighted that our partnership with Zwipe enables us to provide the ultimate next-generation payment experience in the market. This innovation will help our partners and customers to differentiate their offerings. Making them more competitive as a result, which in turn drives further growth”.
The two organizations will now align their product delivery and initiate joint sales efforts to bring biometric cards across key markets in Latin America.
"We are thrilled that IC Payment has selected Zwipe Pay ONE to enable their issuer, processor and card bureau clients to adopt biometric payment cards. We look forward to introducing the next generation of contactless payment cards in large and high growth payment markets in Latin America and the Caribbean. IC Payment is a well-recognized brand in the card payments space in these markets, and we look forward to mutual success in this region,” said André Løvestam, CEO of Zwipe.
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About IC Payment
IC Payment was born with the mission of bringing new payment method technologies to the financial sector through innovation and security. In its nine years of operation in Latin America, IC Payment has promoted and accompanied its clients in the early adoption of new payment technologies. IC Payment's current commitment is to take the instant issuance of financial cards beyond the scope of bank branches. Expanding its hourly service, physical presence and promoting financial inclusion. IC Payment consolidated a strategic alliance with the fintech of the French group be ys, to continue strengthening its research and development in an environment of continuous advancement of innovation and sustainability.
For further information please contact Sean McRostie, CCO of IC Payment at +(56) 9 3430 0695 - smcrostie@icpayment.net
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 zwipe.com
For further information please contact André Løvestam, CEO, +47 991 66 135 info@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY - 29 september 2021 – Zwipe is proud to announce that it has partnered with startup Reltime to provide a world-class security and user experience to the end-users of Reltime’s Decentralized Finance (DEFI) Ecosystem based on the Zwipe Pay ONE platform. Reltime will issue Zwipe Pay ONE-based biometric payment cards to bring the next generation contactless security and user experience to its end users.
Reltime aims to revolutionize financial services for customers and users in Europe, Japan, India, Mexico, and Brazil from Q1 2022 and then target the global market from Q3 2022.
Headquartered in Oslo, Reltime offers ready-to-deploy financial services to users who will save and secure transactions with full control and flexibility. These services include banking, cross border money transfer, lending, card payments and digital wallets for instant use. When the users check out, it converts instantly to the local currency.
Speaking on the partnership, Cornelia Stensby van der Laak, Reltime’s Chief Commercial Officer, said, “We are delighted to see such positive feedback from the market on Reltime’s DEFI Ecosystem. We already have several partner engagements from all over the world. Reltime has noted a strong interest in biometric payment cards, which deliver world-class security and convenience. Zwipe is a well-respected biometric payment technology brand, and we aim to launch the first pilots in Q1 2022, followed by commercial launches shortly after.”
More information on Reltime Biometric ID and Payment Cards can be found here.
Reltime will be the issuer of biometric payment cards, and first to launch this to a DEFI network globally. Zwipe and other partners will be working closely to ensure that the planned pilots are started from Q1 2022. Besides delivering its Zwipe Pay ONE platform, Zwipe will also support Reltime through all stages of pilots and the commercial launch of biometric payment cards.
“We are proud that a global innovator such as Reltime recognizes the value of biometric payment cards and has decided to use Zwipe as part of its next-generation financial services platform. Together we will help many telecom operators and issuers to bring significantly enhanced convenience and security in payments. We are excited about the planned pilots and launches next year,” said André Løvestam, CEO of Zwipe.
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About Reltime
Reltime is a decentralized financial ‘DEFI’ ecosystem that brings the next generation of economic and banking services to its audience worldwide. Headquartered in Oslo, it offers financial services for all users anywhere. Reltime enables its customers to start offering a broad range of services, such as banking, free cross border money transfer, lending with and without Collateral and earnings for the end-users, card payments and digital wallets. Reltime revolutionizing financial services bringing control to the end-users. Reltime has a partnership with several global financial institutions to provide seamless and secure transactions from anywhere in the world. To learn more, visit reltime.com.
For further details, please get in touch with Cornelia Stensby van der Laak, CCO, cornelia@reltime.com
About Zwipe
Zwipe is pioneering the next generation contactless payments experience, providing biometric payment card components and wearables technology that enable consumers to authorize transactions with their fingerprints without compromising their privacy. 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 significant shift in payments from contactless to contact-free. To learn more, visit zwipe.com.
For further information, please contact André Løvestam, CEO, +47 991 66 135 info@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY and BEIRUT, LEBANON – 29 September 2021 – Biometric fintech company, Zwipe, and Credit Card Management (CCM), one of the leading card payment service providers in Lebanon are partnering to bring Zwipe Pay ONE biometric payment cards to banks in Lebanon. Founded in 1994, CCM has grown to become a well-recognized brand in the card payments both in Lebanon and the Middle East.
CCM delivers issuing, acquiring and card personalization services to more than 25 banks. The company provides payment processing for financial institutions as well as telecom operators and it is a subsidiary of Credit Libanais, one of the largest banks in the country.
“We are always eager to bring state-of-the-art payment products that enhance customers’ experience. Zwipe Pay ONE is a disruptive (Gen3) biometric payment platform that will enable issuer clients to deliver a completely contact-free checkout experience and payment security. We are proud to partner with Zwipe,” says Johnny Torbey, Deputy General Manager at CCM.
As part of this partnership, Zwipe will support CCM in delivering Zwipe Pay ONE biometric payment cards to banks in Lebanon. Both organizations aim to help multiple banks with pilots and ultimately commercial launches.
“The collaboration with CCM further accelerates our issuer engagements and is a strategic move for Zwipe in Lebanon and MENA where innovations such as biometric payment cards are in great demand from banks, governments and citizen programs including financial inclusions and the move to cashless societies,” says Ramzi Saboury, General Manager for Zwipe for the MENA region.
For further information, please contact Mr. André Løvestam, CEO, +47 991 66 135 info@zwipe.com
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About CCM
Founded in 1994, CCM has grown to become one of the most dynamic leaders of the card industry in Lebanon and the Middle East, delivering quality service and ensuring high standards of value and security, for banks, institutions, and merchants across the country while handling the full range of card business activities: strategic planning, issuing, account processing, authorization of payments, innovation of loyalty programs and co-branding schemes in various set ups and telecommunication environments.
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 zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY – 27 September 2021- The share capital increase of 4,000,000 new shares in Zwipe AS, as resolved by the board meeting of the company on 30 August 2021, has today been registered in the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises. The new share capital is NOK 3,698,268.50, and the new number of shares and votes is 36,982,685.
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About Zwipe
Zwipe is pioneering the next generation contactless payments experience, providing biometric payment card 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 zwipe.com
For more information, please contact:
Lars Kristian Solheim, CFO
+47 991 661 35
This is information that Zwipe AS is obligated to make public pursuant to the continuing obligations of companies admitted to trading on Euronext Growth Market 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 below, at 13:15 CEST on 27 September 2021.
OSLO, NORWAY and ABU DHABI, UAE – 13 September 2021 – Zwipe and NymCard are joining forces to launch biometric payment cards in the Middle East and Africa. With the rapidly growing demand for safer and more secure payment solutions from fintechs and modern payment innovators, this collaboration will ensure a faster deployment of biometric payment cards in the region.
Based in Abu Dhabi, NymCard delivers a state-of-the-art payment card issuing and processing platform based on three key focus areas: Frictionless, Transparent and Agile. Recognized as a leading Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) provider in the region, NymCard enables fintechs and innovative payment players to deliver a seamless payment experience to their customers with easy, secure, and faster channels. Using Open APIs and modern technologies, NymCard is known for delivering exceptionally fast implementations. It powers payment innovators in multiple industries from the Gig Economy, Buy Now Pay Later, Youth banking, and Corporate expense cards across the MEA region. NymCard is now expanding to Asia and Europe.
Speaking on the partnership, Omar Onsi, CEO and Founder at NymCard said: “In our region, consumers, fintechs, and payment providers always seek more secure and user-friendly financial services. We are now seeing increasing interest in biometric payment cards as they combine world-class security with world-class convenience. Zwipe is a highly respected fintech in the biometric payments marketplace and Zwipe Pay ONE based cards will add considerable value for our customers in MEA”.
Zwipe will provide commercialization support, expertise, and technical guidance to help NymCard integrate biometric payment cards in its portfolio. Zwipe Pay ONE based cards will be delivered by one or more of Zwipe's certified smart card manufacturers in the region. NymCard and Zwipe will start joint issuer engagements already from this month.
“The interest in adopting biometric payment cards is phenomenal in the Middle East and Africa. We are happy to partner with NymCard, a well-recognized Banking-as-a-Service provider for payment innovators and fintechs. Zwipe's biometric payment platform supports contactless payments ensuring 100% touch-free and PIN-free transactions. We are confident that this alliance will further accelerate the deployment of biometric payment cards,” said Ramzi Saboury, General Manager for Zwipe in the MENA region.
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For further information please contact: André Løvestam, CEO, +47 991 66 135 Info@zwipe.com
About NymCard
NymCard is a MEA-based BaaS provider and modern card issuer processor. The company offers a cloud-agnostic modern payment issuing and processing platform called nCore that allows fintechs in the MENA region to instantly create, control, and distribute highly customizable virtual or physical payment cards.
NymCard’s mission is to enable companies to launch frictionless payment card programs at speed in any market in MENA and now in Asia as well. As a payment enabler, NymCard is removing the friction associated with legacy systems enabling fintechs to focus on building their product proposition rather than deal with complex payment processes.
NymCard developed its own processing technology from the ground up, where we own our whole tech stack. We published our APIs and are the only MENA-based issuer processor with a live Sandbox where fintechs can get access and start building in no time.
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 and 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 zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY– 11 May 2023 – The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Zwipe AS was held Thursday 11 May 2023 at 10:00 (CEST). All the items on the agenda were addressed and approved. Attached are the minutes of the Annual General Meeting. The attendants of the AGM represented 25.99% of the votes in the company.
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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 http://www.zwipe.com.
This is information that Zwipe AS is obligated to make public pursuant to the continuing obligations of companies admitted to trading on Euronext Growth Oslo (Euronext Growth Oslo Rule Book – Part II) and on Nasdaq First North Growth Market. Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North is FNCA Sweden AB, info@fnca.se. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, at 16:00 on 11 May 2023.
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This is information that Zwipe AS is obligated to make public pursuant to the continuing obligations of companies admitted to trading on Euronext Growth Oslo (Euronext Growth Oslo Rule Book – Part II) and on Nasdaq First North Growth Market. Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North is FNCA Sweden AB, info@fnca.se. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, at 16:00 on 11 May 2023.
For more information, please contact
Danielle Glenn
CFO and Head of IR, Zwipe AS
E-mail: ir@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY – 25 April 2023 – During the first quarter, Zwipe continued to see positive interest in bringing biometric payment and access control cards to markets globally.
Significant events during the period
Significant events after the period
Operational review
The most significant event in Q1 2023 was the successful completion of the rights issue, with Zwipe securing approximately 100 mNOK in new capital that will be used to accelerate go-to-market strategy and commercialization of Zwipe Pay and Zwipe Access solutions.
The first quarter saw Zwipe continue to expand our pipeline of SCMs and go-to-market partners by signing Wahyukartu in Indonesia, Unicard in Saudi Arabia, Antworks Money in India, and TBHP in Vietnam – all representing expanded geographic potential for Zwipe in bringing biometric payment cards to new markets. The company also continued to make progress carrying out pilot projects in the active execution phase. Some issuers are now communicating to Zwipe’s SCM customers that they will move directly to soft launch rather than undertaking pilot projects, something which should see more immediate revenue results for Zwipe. On the technology side, mobile enrolment solutions for Android and iOS were released on Apple’s AppStore and Google Play and Zwipe also released our Software Development Toolkit (SDK) for customers and partners.
While Zwipe continues to see strong interest in BPCs and the use case remains convincing, the pace of pilot launches and market adoption continues to be slower than Zwipe or other players in the market expected. That said, Zwipe remains convinced that the material benefits of BPCs remain clear for all and that market adoption will happen soon.
While progress with Zwipe Pay has been slower than desired, the first quarter saw tangible progress and excitement for Zwipe Access. Our North American partner Civix launched a Proof-of-Concept (“POC”) project at Richmond International Airport, carried out in conjunction with National Safe Skies Alliance, Inc. Also in North America, Zwipe signed a significant partnership agreement with CardLogix, a smart card provider that already provides access control solutions to our target end customers and is now adding Zwipe’s biometric solution to their portfolio. The company attended ISC West in March and came away from the event with 20+ qualified leads and potential partners, ranging from system integrators to security engineering companies to direct end customers. The first quarter also saw Zwipe make significant progress with Swedish and broader Nordic partners, aiming to reach Nordic enterprises with high security needs.
The above developments in the USA and Nordics translate into 15+ access control proof of concept projects targeted to be executed in the coming months at end-user sites. While it is too early to estimate immediate revenue potential from these engagements, Zwipe believes the bigger picture revenue potential is substantial.
Commercial priorities for 2023 remain unchanged, but the company has substantially reduced our planned expenditures for 2023. This should prolong funding towards the commercial inflection point and keep the average net monthly burn rate lower than 2022.
Financial review
Zwipe reported total revenue of 1.7 mNOK during Q1 2023 compared to revenue of 0.6 mNOK in Q1 2022. After adjusting for transaction costs related to fundraising, cash flow from operations was –24.7 mNOK versus –25.4 mNOK in Q1 2022, equating to an underlying average monthly operating cash flow in Q1 2023 of –8.2 mNOK versus –8.5 mNOK in the same period last year. With the successful completion of the rights issue, cash and cash equivalents stood at 121.9 mNOK at the end Q1 2023 compared to 130.6 mNOK at the end of Q1 2022 and 50.5 mNOK at the end of 2022.
Operational update presentation
CEO Robert Puskaric and CFO Danielle Glenn will do a short presentation on the operational update today, Tuesday April 25th, at 10:00 CET.
Audiocast details
Date: 25 April 2023
Time: 10:00 CET
Format: Audiocast and Q&A
Language: English
Link: https://app.webinar.net/OEXe514K1L4
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This information is subject to the disclosure requirements in the Market Abuse Regulation (EU 596/2014) and the Norwegian Securities Trading Act section 5-12, and is information that Zwipe AS is obligated to make public pursuant to the continuing obligations of companies admitted to trading on Euronext Growth Oslo (Euronext Growth Oslo Rule Book – Part II) and on Nasdaq First North Growth Market. Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North is FNCA Sweden AB, info@fnca.se. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, at 08:00 on 25 April 2023.
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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 http://www.zwipe.com.
For more information, please contact:
Danielle Glenn, CFO and Head of IR
ir@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY - 24 April 2023 - The Board of Directors of Zwipe AS (the "Company") call for the Annual General Meeting ("AGM") to be held on 11 May 2023 at 10:00 CEST. The general meeting will be held as a digital meeting on Microsoft Teams.
Please find enclosed the notice of the AGM. The notice and Zwipe's Annual Report for 2022 are available on the Company's website, https://zwipe.com/investors.
Shareholders who wish to attend the AGM in person or by proxy or vote in advance are encouraged to register this electronically by following the link on the Company’s website https://zwipe.com/investors/general-meetings, via VPS Investor Services, by sending a signed version of the form attached to the notice by e-mail to genf@dnb.no, or by ordinary mail to: DNB Bank ASA, Registrars Department, Postboks 1600 Sentrum, NO-0021 Oslo. Notification of attendance, proxy or advance votes must be registered online or received by DNB Bank ASA, Registrars Department by 16:00 hours CEST on 10 May 2023.
In order to be invited to the meeting, Zwipe's administration will need to have the shareholder's email address in advance. Shareholders must after having registered their attendance also register their email address by sending an email to ir@zwipe.com prior to 16:00 hours CEST on 10 May 2023.
The Board of Directors (the "Board") has proposed the following agenda:
1. Opening of the annual general meeting by the chair. Registration of meeting shareholders
2. Election of a meeting chairperson and person to co-sign the minutes together with the chairperson
3. Approval of the notice and the agenda
4. Report by the management on the Company
5. Approval of the annual report and financial statements for 2022 for the Company and the group
6. Remuneration to the auditor
7. Election of members to the Board
8. Remuneration to the Board and the members of the nomination committee
9. Proposal on implementing a new incentive program towards the Company's employees and key personnel
10. Proposals on authorizations to the Board on capital increase
Proposed decisions from the Board
Matter no. 5: Approval of the annual report and financial statements for 2022 for the Company and the Group
The Board proposes that the annual report and financial statements for 2022 for the Company and the Group are approved.
Matter no. 6: Remuneration to the auditor
The Board proposes that the auditor's fees are paid as per accounts rendered.
Matter no. 7: Election of members to the Board
Subject to the AGM's approval, the Board for the period from the AGM in 2023 until the AGM in 2025 will comprise:
Mini-CVs for Christina Örn and David Chew have been included in the report from the Nomination Committee.
Matter no. 8: Remuneration to the members of the Board and the members of the Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee makes the following recommendation:
Fees to the Board for the period from the AGM in 2022 until the AGM in 2022 were resolved by the AGM on 23 May 2022.
Fees to the Board for the period from the AGM in 2023 until the AGM in 2024 is suggested as follows:
As to remuneration, the Nomination Committee proposes that no remuneration is paid to the members of the Nomination Committee.
Matter no. 9: Proposal on implementing a new incentive program towards the Company's employees and key personnel
The Company's compensation committee has in cooperation with specialists on incentive programmes in the Swedish company Novare Pay Consulting assessed the various aspects of the current SIP program, including the taxation of the options. Based on its assessments and input from Novare, the Compensation Committee has presented a new proposal for a long-term incentive scheme directed towards the Company's leading employees and other key personnel in the form of so-called restricted share units ("RSUs").
The main rationale behind the proposal of the RSU plan is to create a long-term ownership, being expected to stimulate an increased interest in the business and performance development. The Board believes that it is in the interests of all shareholders that executive personnel and other key employees who are important for the Company's development, have a long-term interest in a positive development of the Company's share price.
The vesting period for the RSUs is four years from award. RSUs will only vest if the average annual total shareholder return during the vesting period exceeds 10%. Vested RSUs will be settled in shares at vesting, where one RSU gives the right to one share. The Company will be entitled to settle vested RSUs in each instance with a cash settlement. The Board proposes that a maximum of 1,076,230 RSUs may be granted to participants in the RSU plan, which corresponds to a maximum dilution of approximately 1.8% percent of outstanding shares in the Company.
Based on the assumptions that all RSUs under RSU plan are granted and vested, a share price of NOK 10.4 at the time of settlement of the RSUs and an average percentage for social security contributions of 20%, the total costs for the program including social security contributions, is expected to amount to approximately NOK 6.3 million whereof NOK 2.2 million refers to social security contributions.
The RSU plan is suggested to replace the current option plan. Following resolution to adopt the RSU plan, no more options will be granted to employees. However, already granted stock options may be exercised.
Matter no. 10: Proposal on authorizations to the Board on capital increase
The Board proposes that two new authorizations for the Board on capital increases are issued, (i) to fulfil the Company's incentive programs and (ii) to strengthen the Company's equity.
The Board proposes that the AGM adopts the following resolution:
1. Authorization for capital increase to fulfill the Company's incentive programs
The Board is hereby granted authorization to increase the share capital of the company on one or several occasions, with up to NOK 293,038.80 (2 930 388 new shares), equivalent to approximately 5.0% of the registered share capital at the time of this resolution.
2. Authorization for capital increase to strengthen the Company's equity
The Board proposes that the AGM renews the authorization to the Board to issue shares corresponding to up to 15% of the share capital, and the new authorization shall be restricted to issue shares to strengthen the Company's equity to the extent the Board considers this to be in the Company's best interest at the given time.
The Board is hereby granted authorization to increase the share capital of Zwipe AS with up to NOK 876,206.00 (8,762,060 new shares) on one or several occasions. The authorization may be used to issue shares to strengthen the Company's equity to the extent the Board considers this to be in the Company's best interest at the given time.
For more information, please contact:
Danielle Glenn, CFO and Head of IR
Tel: +47 909 98 201 and e-mail: danielle@zwipe.com
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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 http://www.zwipe.com.
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This is information that Zwipe AS is obligated to make public pursuant to the continuing obligations of companies admitted to trading on Euronext Growth Oslo (Euronext Growth Oslo Rule Book – Part II) and on Nasdaq First North Growth Market. Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North is FNCA Sweden AB, info@fnca.se. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, at 19:00 CEST on 24 April 2023.
OSLO, NORWAY – 24 April 2023 – Zwipe AS will publish its Q1 2023 operational update report on 25 April 2023 at 08:00 CET. On the same day at 10:00 CET, the Company will host an audiocast to present the update. After the presentation, the webcast will be opened up for questions from the audience.
Participants are strongly encouraged to submit their questions prior to the webcast on the registration page below or by sending questions to ir@zwipe.com. Participants will be required to register to listen to the audiocast and participate in the Q&A.
Webcast details
Date: 25 April 2023
Time: 10:00 CET
Format: Audiocast and Q&A
Language: English
Link: https://app.webinar.net/OEXe514K1L4
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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 http://www.zwipe.com.
For more information, please contact:
Danielle Glenn, CFO and Head of IR
+47 909 98 201
ir@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY – 14 April 2023 - Zwipe AS (“Zwipe” or “the Company”) has decided to change the date of its Annual General Meeting (“AGM”). The company has previously communicated that its 2023 AGM would be held on 27 April 2023. The AGM will instead be held on 11 May 2023.
Zwipe has planned for its 2023 AGM to be held on 27 April 2023 and has, in accordance with applicable regulations, communicated this planned date to the public. One key preparation for the AGM of a listed Norwegian company is for the Nomination Committee to prepare a number of proposals for the AGM to consider and resolve upon. One such proposal relates to the appointment of board members. The Nomination Committee’s proposals are to be included in the notice to the AGM. Zwipe has been informed by its Nomination Committee that this work has not yet been concluded. Zwipe has decided to change the planned date of the AGM to allow the Nomination Committee to conclude its important work. The new planned date of the AGM is 11 May 2023. Notice and relevant information will be submitted in due course, as governed by the relevant regulations and by Zwipe’s Articles of Association.
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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 http://www.zwipe.com.
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This is information that Zwipe AS is obligated to make public pursuant to the continuing obligations of companies admitted to trading on Euronext Growth Oslo (Euronext Growth Oslo Rule Book – Part II) and on Nasdaq First North Growth Market. Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North is FNCA Sweden AB, info@fnca.se. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, at 14:00 CET on 14 April 2023.
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For more information, please contact:
Danielle Glenn, CFO and Head of IR
E-mail: ir@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY and HANOI, VIETNAM – 12 APRIL 2023 – TBHP Co Ltd., one of the largest bureau and service providers of cards in Vietnam, has partnered with Zwipe to launch biometric payment cards in Vietnam. With this partnership, Zwipe will provide commercialization support, expertise and technical guidance to help TBHP integrate biometric payment cards into its portfolio.
TBHP is a leading provider of barcode, magnetic and smart card applications and has provision of access control and security systems. The collaboration will allow both companies to develop and leverage the growing market opportunities in Vietnam for biometric on-card payment solutions.
Commenting on this partnership Hoang Nguyen Duc, CEO, TBHP said, “Over the past years, there has been a growing awareness of biometric payment cards in Vietnam. We are sure that this partnership will let issuers and consumers embrace biometric payment cards as they provide an excellent check-out experience with much higher security. Zwipe Pay will bring strong differentiation and value uplift to our card portfolio.”
Under this partnership, Zwipe Pay- based biometric cards will be delivered by Zwipe's partner TBHP in the region.
“The interest in adopting biometric payment cards is growing steadily in the APAC market. We are happy to partner with TBHP as we are confident that this alliance will further accelerate the deployment of biometric payment cards. With this partnership, Zwipe’s unique biometric payment card platform and enrolment solutions will be made available to banks and financial institutions in Vietnam, a dynamic and growing market for payments in Asia,” said Alex Chung, Vice President & General Manager for Asia Pacific, Zwipe.
About TBHP
TBHP Co Ltd. is a diversified 100% privately owned trading company with 20 years of experience supplying some of the biggest banks in Vietnam. Among the services and expertise, the company offers logistics management, technical consultancy, efficient and technologically superior equipment maintenance, training and technology transfer. By doing so TBHP enhances the intrinsic and extrinsic value of its product and services.
To learn more, please visit www.tbhp.vn
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 & secure. We are pioneering next-generation biometric card technology for both payment and physical & logical access control and ID 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, please visit www.zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY – 31 MARCH 2023 - Reference is made to the stock exchange announcement published by Zwipe AS (the "Company") on 21 March 2023 regarding the final result of the fully guaranteed rights issue of 20,862,047 new shares in the Company (the "Offer Shares"), at a subscription price of NOK 4.80 per share, raising gross proceeds of NOK 100,137,825.60 (the "Rights Issue").
The share capital increase pertaining to the Offer Shares has now been registered with the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises (Nw. Foretaksregisteret). The Company's new share capital is NOK 5,841,373.20 divided into 58,413,732 shares, each with a nominal value of NOK 0.10.
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This is information that Zwipe AS is obligated to make public pursuant to the continuing obligations of companies admitted to trading on Euronext Growth Oslo (Euronext Growth Oslo Rule Book - Part II) and on Nasdaq First North Growth Market. Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North is FNCA Sweden AB, info@fnca.se. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact
person set out above, at 10:00 CEST on 31 March 2023.
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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 http://www.zwipe.com.
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For further information, please contact:
Danielle Glenn, CFO and Head of IR
E-mail: ir@zwipe.com
OSLO, NORWAY – 30 March 2023 – Zwipe AS ("Zwipe" or "the company") has today released its Annual Report 2022, including the Board of Directors report and financial statements. The report and annual accounts were approved by the Board of Directors after the close of business on 29th of March 2023. The 2022 Annual Report is attached to this release and available at https://www.zwipe.com/investors/reports.
Significant events 2022
2022 operational review
In 2022, Zwipe achieved several significant milestones and entered an “execution first” strategic phase. The company finalized technological development of the Zwipe Pay product and received both Visa and Mastercard certification, becoming the first biometric payment card platform available for sale on the open market to be certified by both major payment schemes.
A primary focus for the company in 2022 was executing our signed issuer pilots, with seven issuer pilot projects in the execution phase. During the second half, we implemented software changes related to biometric performance in Zwipe Pay cards and also updated our internal test procedures. These changes resulted in a more robust product and enhanced payment transaction experience that is expected to lead to faster completion of ongoing pilot projects as well as a significantly faster pace of new project launches in the coming quarters – with streamlined execution and commercial launch in all areas.
2022 also saw the company establish Zwipe Access as a separate business line with substantial revenue potential. We completed an important pilot project for Fraport AG at Frankfurt International Airport, with Zwipe shortlisted as an access control solutions provider when Fraport moves forward with its commercial tender process in 2023. We further reinforced our strong position in the airport vertical when Civix, a leading US provider of airport security solutions, selected Zwipe’s access control technology to augment their airport security propositions. The partnership with Civix is representative of our go-to-market strategy in access control to work with system integrator partners and distributors to bring our solution to market rapidly.
2022 financial review
Zwipe reported total revenues of 3.9 mNOK during 2022 vs. 2.5 mNOK in 2021, reflecting an underlying increase in Zwipe Pay revenues of 72%. Total operating expenses were 108.1 mNOK in 2022 compared to 85.5 mNOK in 2021. After adjusting for one-off, non-recurring costs in 2022 and receipt of a government grant in 2021, operating expenses increased to 102.2 mNOK in 2022 from 92.6 mNOK in 2021. Adjusted EBITDA was -96.4 mNOK in 2022 compared to -81.7 mNOK in 2021.
Underlying net cash use in operating activities in 2022 averaged 9.0 mNOK per month, an increase of 41% from 2021. This was mainly due to higher personnel costs, but non-recurring charges also inflated the 2022 monthly average burn rate and are not expected to continue.
On 31 December 2022, cash and equivalents were 50.5 mNOK, down from 152.3 mNOK at the end of 2021. Total equity at the end of the year was 54.6 mNOK, while total liabilities were 13.0 mNOK. This resulted in an equity ratio of 81%, down slightly from 91% at end 2021.
On 22 November 2022, Zwipe announced a rights issue raising approximately 100 mNOK in capital, with the transaction now being completed. The rights issue was fully guaranteed through a combination of subscription commitments and underwriting commitments from the three largest shareholders in Zwipe. It was carried out in order to strengthen the company’s financial position and enable the transition from start-up to scale-up and achieve larger-scale commercialization. The fundraising will ensure the Group has sufficient working capital for the period covering at least 12 months from the date of close.
Conclusion and going forward
Zwipe ended the year on a positive note with sequential quarterly growth of 172% in Q4 revenue and the single largest commercial order in a quarter to date. There is reason to believe that the markets for Zwipe Pay and Zwipe Access are nearing an inflection point for increased commercial adoption of biometric technology solutions. Zwipe has good commercial traction, and expects more positive news flow in coming quarters. Our goals for 2023 include: executing the technology roadmap, completing the current R&D projects and maturing Zwipe technology to meet evolving demands; accelerating go-to-market for Zwipe's solutions to achieve large commercial scale; increasing our customer pipeline; supporting our SCM customers in becoming certified and mass production ready; executing more pilot projects in a streamlined manner; and continuing to invest intelligently in people and technology.
The aforementioned actions are expected to lead to positive business outcomes in 2023.
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This is information that Zwipe AS is obligated to make public pursuant to the continuing obligations of companies admitted to trading on Euronext Growth Oslo (Euronext Growth Oslo Rule Book – Part II) and on Nasdaq First North Growth Market. Certified Adviser on Nasdaq First North is FNCA Sweden AB, info@fnca.se. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, at 08:00 on 30 March 2023.
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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 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 http://www.zwipe.com.
For more information, please contact:
Danielle Glenn, CFO and Head of IR
ir@zwipe.com
OSLO NORWAY and CALIFORNIA, USA – 28 March 2023 – CardLogix, a global supplier of smart cards for authentication, encryption, biometric and other card operating systems has partnered with biometric cards pioneer Zwipe as its technology partner in pursuing the global market opportunities for biometric access cards.
With the disruptive Zwipe Access platform, CardLogix will be able to deliver highly advanced and secure biometric card products that are also exceedingly user-friendly.
According to Sebastien Goulet, CEO of CardLogix, “We are excited about the opportunity that this innovative technology represents. The biometric solution provided by Zwipe combines breakthrough technologies and is the ideal platform for the next generation of highly secure access, ID cards and CardLogix biometric solutions.”
According to the partnership, CardLogix will provide secure loading of smart credentials for Zwipe’s BSoC access cards.
“We are happy that Zwipe is a part of this collaboration. What adds significance to this partnership is the value that CardLogix will deliver to our US customers and the availability for them of our leading-edge biometric access cards. We look forward to strengthening this relationship for supplying biometrics-enabled cards to our integration partners for access control solutions and their customers in airport, data center, critical infrastructure and other secure facilities across North America.” says Robert Puskaric, President and CEO of Zwipe.
About CardLogix
CardLogix, based in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, USA, is a smart card & biometric solution provider, software developer, and the premier provider of smart card components with a comprehensive line of Software Development Kits (SDK), tools that enable swift card or biometric project development. Since 1998, CardLogix has supplied millions of cards and card components to over 84 countries around the world. As an expert in smart card and chip technology, card operating systems, card software, biometric enrollment, validation, verification, development tools, and middleware, CardLogix has continuously been at the forefront of smart card and biometric technology offering all types of solutions.
Please send media inquiries at sales@cardlogix.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 www.zwipe.com
