As we bid farewell to 2023, a year filled with its share of ups and downs, it's only fitting to reflect on the defining moments that shaped Youverse. In a world full of surprises, we take pride not only in navigating the challenges but also in making significant strides towards our ultimate objective: empowering users and businesses through privacy-preserving face authentication. 

Inovation at the core 

Innovation is at the core of everything we do. Our aim is to defy status quo and change the landscape of authentication. To do so, we've been on the grind, rolling out updates and features that redefine the game. In January, we introduced our Identity Verification solution, supporting over 10,000 documents in 140 languages. March saw the unveiling of YouFace v3, our upgraded face biometric matching model, NIST-certified and ranking in U.S. and Europe Top 5, reinforcing security and reliability for user authentication. And let's not forget the Mobile KYC – YouID going mobile, streamlining identity verification and revolutionizing the banking experience. 

A year of milestones 

Change was our constant companion in 2023, starting with our rebranding from YooniK to Youverse. More than just a name change, it signaled our commitment to you and your customers. We embraced transparency, impact-focused strategies, and result-oriented approaches. Winning the People's Choice Award at events like Seamless Middle East and HITEC showcased our impact in biometrics across various sectors. Plus, a feature in The Hotel Yearbook Technology and a grand celebration of our fourth anniversary topped off a year of significant milestones. 

The second half of 2023 also represented a major inflexion point on the commercial side, with game changing deals signed. Not only did this confirm our strong belief that we’re solving a really important pain in the market but also that our privacy-preservation differentiator is actually making a major difference. Youverse is now processing tens of millions of authentications across the globe. This inflexion point, in turn, propelled new investment on the company about which we’ll soon announce major news. 

Forging connections and conquering the world 

We joined forces with various PMS systems and hotel apps to elevate the check-in experience in hotels through face authentication, adding both efficiency and security. Our feature in "Paving the Way for Seamless Banking" by The Fintech House highlighted our contributions to the Portuguese fintech scene.  

We invested time and resources in major events worldwide. From the European Association for Biometrics research conference to HITEC, The Hotel Show, Money20/20, Identity Week Europe, Seamless Europe, and the grand finale at Web Summit – our goal was clear. We aimed to make customer verification and authentication accessible, private, easy, and decentralized for everyone, everywhere.  

Sharing is caring  

We kept our promise of sharing engaging content throughout the year that help businesses to stay informed about the world of biometrics and privacy-preserving face authentication. Here are our content highlights for 2023:  

• Calculate how much you can save with a digital identity solution  
• Understanding deepfakes and their implications for your business 
• Native mobile biometric authentication is a bad idea - here's why 
• How hotel technology simplifies guest id management 
• 5 ways to improve the banking experience with face authentication 

Looking ahead 

As we wrap up 2023, Youverse stands tall at the forefront of identity verification solutions. Our commitment to responsible AI practices and continuous innovation remains unwavering.  Here's to another year of growth, collaboration, and positive impact in the dynamic landscape of digital identity and authentication. Cheers to the journey, and bring it on, 2024! 🚀