Smile Identity
OperatingSmile Identity is an Africa-focused Identity Management that provides the best Africa-focused solutions.
- KYC
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Corporate
- Founded 2016
- smileidentity.com ↗
- Total raised
- $31.1M
- disclosed
- Last round
- Corporate
- Rounds
- 8
- since 2016
- Investors
- 22
- on record
- Employees
- 11-50
About Smile Identity
Smile Identity provides the best Africa-focused solutions for real time Digital KYC, Identity Verification, User Onboarding, Document Verification, Liveness Checks, Face Verification, Anti-fraud, Know your Business (KYB), and Identity Data Deduplication across Africa. We are building the tools and software that make it easier for millions of Africans to prove and verify their identity online. Our platform includes SDKs and APIs for User Onboarding, Digital KYC, Identity Verification, Document Verification, Face Verification, Anti-fraud, and ID validation in mobile applications and on the web. Our identity verification and artificial intelligence tools have been specially designed for African faces and identities. Our mission is to make the benefits of a modern digital lifestyle universally accessible by expanding trust in underserved markets. We are backed by Costanoa Ventures, Future Africa, PTB Ventures, Khosla Impact, 500 Startups, CRE Venture Capital, and more.
Smile Identity funding8 rounds
All 8 rounds →Smile Identity has raised $31.1M across 8 disclosed rounds. The latest is a Corporate announced 24 Sep 2025, led by Mastercard.
- $100KGrantGrant, $100K, $100K raised to date
- $4MSeedSeed, $4M, $4.1M raised to date
- $7MSeries ASeries A, $7M, $11.1M raised to date
- $20MSeries BSeries B, $20M, $31.1M raised to date
SLA Funding Index · grey is capital raised before each round · 4 undisclosed rounds not drawn
Who has invested in Smile Identity
| Announced | Round | Lead · investors | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Sep 2025 | Smile Identity Corporate | Mastercard | Not disclosed |
| 15 Feb 2023 | Smile Identity Series B | Costanoa Ventures +9 | $20M |
| 08 Jul 2021 | Smile Identity Series A | Costanoa Ventures +9 | $7M |
| 05 Nov 2020 | Smile Identity Series A | 500 Global | Not disclosed |
| 19 Dec 2019 | Smile Identity Seed | valU +1 | Not disclosed |
| 09 Apr 2019 | Smile Identity Seed | Intercept Ventures +4 | $4M |
| 01 May 2017 | Smile Identity Pre-seed | 500 Global +4 | Not disclosed |
| 01 May 2017 | Smile Identity Grant | Catalyst Fund | $100K |
Smile Identity founders & team
- Mark StraubCEO
Smile Identity competitorssame sector · similar funding
- iiDENTIFiiCape Town, South Africa
- ContactableTshwane, South Africa
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Frequently asked about Smile Identity
- Where is Smile Identity based and when was it founded?
- Smile Identity is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria and was founded in 2016.
- Who is the CEO of Smile Identity?
- Mark Straub is Smile Identity's CEO.
- How much funding has Smile Identity raised?
- Smile Identity has raised $31M across 8 disclosed rounds. Its latest, a Corporate, was announced on Sep 24, 2025.
- Who has invested in Smile Identity?
- Backers include Mastercard, Costanoa Ventures, Norrsken22, ValueStream Ventures and 18 others.
- What sector is Smile Identity in?
- Smile Identity operates in KYC, Identity Management and Apps.
