Singapore and Seattle-based startup k-ID recently announced that it has secured a $45 million Series A funding round. The company is focused on developing tools for online youth safety, specifically targeting game developers in ensuring compliance with age-related regulations. This suite of tools also allows parents to customize their children’s online experiences in various platforms, including online gaming networks.
One of the main issues that k-ID aims to address is the growing trend of age assurance regulations in international markets. Countries like the U.K. and Australia have already implemented measures to prevent children and teenagers from accessing inappropriate content online. The technology developed by k-ID is designed to help game developers comply with these regulations and adjust their games accordingly to provide age-appropriate experiences for users.
The k-ID process is transparent, ensuring that users are aware of the mechanisms in place to protect them. It also restricts the data generated to specific markets where age assurance is legally required. The company’s ultimate goal is to replace existing age-gating systems with a more flexible k-ID account that can adapt as children grow and explore the online world. By integrating k-ID into gaming and online platforms, the company aims to make online experiences safer and more tailored to individual users.
Aakash Mandhar, k-ID’s CTO based in Seattle, has an extensive background in technology, having worked at companies like Hewlett Packard, Yahoo, and Electronic Arts. He played a key role in developing the virtual economy for popular games like Apex Legends during his time at EA. Mandhar’s experience in the gaming industry has been instrumental in shaping k-ID’s approach to online youth safety and compliance with age-related regulations.
The funding round of $45 million was led by prominent investors such as Andreessen Horowitz and Lightspeed Venture Partners, as well as Konvoy, TIRTA, Okta, and Z Venture Capital. This round follows a previous funding of $5.4 million, bringing the total raised by k-ID to $51 million. The company plans to expand its team, with two employees based in Seattle and the remaining team members in Singapore. k-ID’s innovative approach to online youth safety and compliance is poised to make a significant impact in the gaming and online industry.
