In a world where everything is rapidly moving towards digitalisation, Handwave is taking the concept of payments to a whole new level. Founded in 2021 by Jānis Stirna and Sandis Osmanis-Usmanis, this Latvian startup is on a mission to change how we think about security, payments, and personal data. By using palm-based biometric technology, Handwave is creating a seamless, contactless way to make payments and verify identities.
This groundbreaking approach means no more rummaging for your phone, card, or ID at checkout. Instead, a simple wave of your hand could handle everything, from purchasing items to verifying your age. It’s a game-changer that offers both convenience and security.
How It Works: A Glimpse Into the Technology
What makes Handwave’s solution so unique? Well, it’s all in the palm of your hand—literally. Handwave’s biometric technology is based on two key factors: palm geometry and subdermal vein patterns. Essentially, the system maps the distinct lines on your palm’s surface and the unique vein structure beneath your skin, creating a biometric ID that’s virtually impossible to replicate.
This two-factor system ensures that your data is incredibly secure. And because it’s stored in an encrypted format, it’s safe from hacking or theft. Furthermore, the system employs liveness detection, enabling it to confirm that the scan is occurring in real-time, which adds an additional layer of protection against fraud.
Once you’ve registered your palm scan through your smartphone, you can link it to various accounts—like your payment details or loyalty rewards. Then, when you’re ready to pay, all it takes is a wave of your hand over the reader, and hey presto! Your transaction is complete. No apps, no phone, no wallet required.
The Recent Milestone: £3.6 Million in Funding
As of August 2025, Handwave secured a significant €3.6 million (approximately £3.1 million) in a seed funding round, led by Practica Capital, with support from other venture firms like FirstPick, Outlast Fund, and Inovo.vc. This funding is crucial for helping Handwave expand its operations, conduct retail pilots in Europe and the U.S., and ensure that its technology meets regulatory standards.
It’s a clear sign that investors believe in the potential of Handwave’s approach. The company has already caught the attention of big players in the tech world, and with this investment, it’s poised to make a significant impact on the payment and identity verification sectors.
Real-World Applications: Where Handwave Shines
Retail: A Faster, Safer Checkout
Handwave’s technology is a perfect fit for the retail world. Imagine walking into a store, shopping for your items, and then simply scanning your palm to pay. It’s fast, it’s secure, and it’s incredibly convenient. Retailers can integrate Handwave’s palm scanning system into their existing Point of Sale (POS) systems, making checkout quicker while reducing fraud.
Moreover, customers will no longer need to dig around for cards or phones, which means a smoother and faster transaction.
Age Verification: No More ID Checks
For businesses that sell age-restricted products—like alcohol or tobacco—Handwave’s palm-based verification makes age-checking simple and fast. Instead of showing your ID and waiting for a cashier to check it, you can just scan your palm to confirm your age, making the process quicker and more seamless for both customers and staff.
Loyalty Programs: Activate Rewards with a Wave
Loyalty programmes are a major part of the shopping experience for many customers, but keeping track of reward points can be a hassle. Handwave removes that friction by allowing customers to access their rewards with a quick palm scan. There’s no need for physical loyalty cards or remembering account numbers. It’s all done automatically when you check out.
Privacy and Security: Putting You in Control
Handwave understands that privacy is a major concern for many users when it comes to biometric technology. Unlike facial recognition, which can be used to track your movements across public spaces, Handwave’s system ensures that your palm scan data is stored securely and under your control.
Your biometric information is never used for surveillance purposes. Instead, it’s encrypted and linked directly to your account, which you control. This gives you peace of mind knowing that your information is kept safe and private.
Handwave vs. The Competition: What Sets Them Apart?
In the race to dominate the palm-based payment market, Handwave is not alone. Amazon’s Amazon One and Tencent’s Weixin Palm Pay are already offering similar services. However, Handwave stands out with its emphasis on privacy and user control. While Amazon’s system is mainly available in its own stores, Handwave is focused on offering a universal solution that can work across various retail environments, from small shops to large chains.
Top Companies in Europe Innovating with Biometric Payment and Authentication Technologies
| Company Name | Country | Technology Focus | Key Products/Services | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handwave | Latvia | Palm-based biometric authentication, payments, and identity verification | Palm scan-based payments and loyalty activation | Raised €3.6 million in funding (2025), developing biometric tech for secure payments |
| Amazon One | UK (EU Expansion) | Palm-based payments, identity verification, and loyalty programs | Palm scan payment system for retail stores | Available in Amazon retail locations, offering fast, secure payments |
| Innovatrics | Slovakia | Biometric authentication, facial recognition, fingerprinting | Biometric identity verification systems for government and enterprise use | Pioneered biometric solutions used by governments worldwide |
| Idemia | France | Biometric authentication, identity management | Fingerprint, facial, and iris recognition solutions for secure access & payments | Leading provider of biometric solutions for law enforcement, border control, & payments |
| Kirana | Germany | Biometric payment authentication | Palm vein recognition for payments and access control | Focus on privacy and secure biometric solutions for businesses |
| Zwipe | Norway | Biometric payments and identity verification | Contactless biometric payment cards | Innovating with fingerprint-enabled payment cards |
| SITA | Switzerland | Biometric authentication and travel security | Biometric solutions for airports and airline check-ins | Implementing biometric solutions in over 400 airports globally |
| Face++ | UK (EU Expansion) | Facial recognition and biometric payment technology | AI-powered biometric verification systems | Partnering with financial services for biometric payments and identity solutions |
| Veridium | UK | Multi-factor biometric authentication systems | Fingerprint, facial, and palm-based authentication systems | Focusing on enterprise solutions for secure access control and payments |
| KYC Global Technologies | UK | Biometric identity verification for financial services | Biometric KYC (Know Your Customer) solutions for financial institutions | Providing secure identity verification for banks and financial institutions |
Their goal is to provide a flexible, accessible, and secure alternative to traditional payment methods, which could lead to broader adoption in a wide range of industries.
Founders of Handwave
Jānis Stirna
Jānis Stirna is the CEO and co-founder of Handwave, a Latvian startup revolutionising biometric payments. With a robust academic and professional background, he brings a wealth of experience to the company.
- Professional Background: Jānis holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Computer and Systems Sciences from the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, earned in 2001. He is currently a full professor and the head of the Information Systems Unit at the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences at Stockholm University. His research focuses on enterprise modelling, business process management, and conceptual modelling. He has authored over 100 research publications and has coordinated several EU-funded projects, including the FP7 project “Capability as a Service for digital enterprises” (CaaS).
Stockholm University - Role at Handwave: At Handwave, Jānis leverages his extensive academic and industry experience to lead the company’s strategic direction and technological innovations. His leadership was instrumental in securing €3.6 million in seed funding in August 2025, enabling the company to expand its biometric payment solutions.
Sandis Osmanis-Usmanis
Sandis Osmanis-Usmanis is the co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Handwave. With a background in global payments, he brings valuable industry insights to the company’s operations.
- Professional Background: Before founding Handwave, Sandis worked for one of the world’s largest global payment companies, gaining extensive experience in the payments industry.
- Role at Handwave: In his role at Handwave, Sandis focuses on driving revenue growth and expanding the company’s market presence. His expertise in global payments and business development is crucial in establishing partnerships and scaling Handwave’s biometric payment solutions.
The Road Ahead: Big Plans for the Future
With the recent funding and a growing interest in biometric payments, Handwave is well-positioned for future growth. They are focusing on expanding into new markets, particularly in Europe and the U.S.. They are exploring partnerships with major retail chains to roll out their technology on a larger scale.
Handwave is not just a payment system; it’s a glimpse into the future of authentication. Whether it’s making payments in seconds, verifying your age without hassle, or redeeming loyalty points in a flash, Handwave is setting the stage for a world where payments are not only faster but also more secure and user-friendly.
Handwave’s Impact on the Future of Payments
Handwave is bringing something truly innovative to the table. By focusing on security, privacy, and convenience, it’s offering a new way for users to interact with their payments and identity verification. With the support of investors and the growing interest in biometric tech, Handwave is poised to play a big role in shaping the future of digital payments.
In an age where we’re constantly looking for ways to streamline our digital experiences, Handwave is stepping up to offer a solution that’s as secure as it is user-friendly. As the company continues to grow and develop, it could very well redefine how we make payments and verify our identities in the years to come.
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