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.

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.