From Sthaler to FinGo
History
Sthaler was founded by Nick Dryden, after he saw that problems encountered in the music business could be solved using biometrics.
Nick had teamed up with Mastercard to introduce a cashless ‘contactless’ payment at music festivals, delivering the mobile top-up facility and social elements of the system. However, there were issues based on the lack of customer authentication and security. He embarked on a project to introduce a secure payment system that addressed the issues of customer authentication and security. A biometric system was developed and trialled at Festival No.6, alongside partners BT and Hitachi. It solved the issues relating to current payment card systems, making it simpler and cheaper for festival merchants, but also more enjoyable and stress-free for music fans.
Following Festival No.6, Nick secured exclusive licenses with Hitachi for VeinID before embarking on high-profile authentication and security trials with Visa and Worldpay. Sthaler was formally launched following endorsements from the Visa Europe Board of Directors in January 2016, with Fingopay the company’s first product.

From Sthaler to FinGo
Sthaler is the name of our parent company and it’s the name we registered to operate under.
A redesigned range of products is being launched under the new FinGo Brand including FinGoPay, FinGoID, FinGoID Plus and FinGoPass. The products focus on identity authentication, age verification and access, as well as payments. In June 2020 FinGo was approved for age verification by Manchester City Council Licensing Authority under Primary Authority guidelines.
Opening up the world of identity
For too long identity has been stuck behind documents or devices. We believe in the power of technology to open it up. To create a global system that doesn’t discriminate or exclude. We want to democratise identity in a way that’s never been done before and mobilising a global community by putting the power in their hands.
Our leadership team
Nick Dryden
Founder & CEO
Simon Binns
Chief Marketing Officer
Andrew Horton
Chief Technology Officer
Dan Cox
Financial Director
Stephen Alale
Head of Engineering

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