Tech Business of the Year 2016

Start-up name: Onfido
Founders: Eamon Jubbawy, Husayn Kassai and Ruhul Amin
Started in: 2012
Based in: London
Business description: Intelligent background checking platform

Onfido is an automated online background checker used by businesses to verify an applicant’s identity, right to work and criminal history.

Seeking to bring identity verification “out of the dark ages”, Onfido’s use of machine learning and artificial intelligence technology has seen it become “the leading European provider of background checks to the fintech sector and sharing economy.”

Moving away from manual processes “which are slow, expensive and largely inaccurate” to ultimately help on-board more users, while reducing fraud and drop-out, the start-up says its offering helps its clients – which includes TaskRabbit and HelloFresh – save 60% in comparison to traditional methods.

Founded by Oxford University graduates and former city workers Eamon Jubbawy, Husayn Kassai and Ruhul Amin, Onfido has experienced rapid expansion. It has offices in London and San Francisco, with team numbers swelling to in excess of 145.

Following a $25m Series B funding round in April this year, the tech start-up has raised more than $30m worth of investment to with ex-Google UK MD Dan Cobley, and Lastminute.com co-founder Brent Hoberman among its investors.

Other contenders in the Tech Business of the Year 2016 category were the highly-commended diagnostics and prognostics tool provider Senseye, and commended dog food subscription service tails.com.