InterviewWINNING.I pioneers world’s 1st dual biometric authentication via phone cameras

This concept image shows WINNING.I's contactless biometric authentication solution, F2shield AI, which enables simultaneous facial and fingerprint recognition using both the front and rear cameras of a smartphone. Courtesy of WINNING.I

A single app is now enough to simultaneously verify identity through facial and fingerprint recognition.

Korean startup WINNING.I has developed the world’s first contactless biometric authentication solution that enables simultaneous facial and fingerprint recognition using both the front and rear cameras of a smartphone.

This next-generation technology has drawn attention by eliminating the need for external devices or complex procedures, enabling identity verification and protection against identity theft through a single app.

The technology, which has already secured domestic and international patents and certifications, is being applied across various financial services such as electronic signatures and identity verification. It also holds strong potential for broader use in sectors requiring remote identity authentication, including public services and healthcare.

Leveraging this innovation, the company is accelerating its expansion into global markets.

CEO Chung Woo-young, also known as William Chung, was inspired to start his business while working as a computer engineer on a project for the National Police Agency in the early 2010s.

WINNING.I CEO Chung Woo-young / Courtesy of WINNING.I

During that time, he witnessed forensic investigators struggling to collect fingerprints using heavy equipment — a process he found highly inefficient. This sparked the idea of capturing fingerprints using a smartphone camera.

"In the field of forensic science, for example, when investigators had to collect fingerprints from deceased individuals, they would carry bulky equipment like DSLR cameras," Chung recalled during a recent interview with The Korea Times.

"Even back then, the resolution of the Galaxy S2 used by one of the officers was quite good, so the idea of using it to collect fingerprints led to the development of a prototype for contactless fingerprint capture technology in 2014. Following the decision to commercialize the technology, I officially launched the business in 2015."

Existing methods for identity verification in non-face-to-face financial transactions — such as submitting ID cards, video calls, account authentication and biometric verification — usually require users to select two of these options. However, these methods often suffer from poor user experience and complicated procedures, leading to user dissatisfaction.

Additionally, facial recognition-based verification is increasingly vulnerable to security risks such as deepfakes and forged images.

The Korean startup has overcome these challenges by implementing a multi-biometric authentication system that does not rely on a single biometric factor.

"Most current biometric technologies use a single method, but we have developed the world's first multimodal biometric authentication technology that uses the front camera for facial recognition and the rear camera for fingerprint recognition simultaneously," Chung said. "Whether it is an iPhone or a Galaxy phone, users only need to install one app to authenticate both face and fingerprint at the same time. This is the biggest difference compared to existing technologies."

Chung's company passed the Presentation Attack Detection evaluation, conducted by iBeta, a biometric authentication testing organization accredited by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology.

iBeta is recognized worldwide as a reputable testing institution, with participation from leading global biometric companies.

WINNING.I is the first Korean company to earn this certification for contactless biometric recognition technology and the second in the world.

"Spoof attack prevention has become an essential and core technology, especially with recent advances in deepfake technology," Chung said. "Preparing for the test alone took six months, and the entire certification process can take up to two years, making it a high entry barrier in the biometric field. By extracting various data from high-resolution color fingerprint images, we have proven through the iBeta certification that 100 percent spoof prevention is achievable."

gettyimagesbank

Recognized for its technological advancements, the company was selected in April for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' flagship scale-up program, which aims to support the global expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises with innovative technologies.

Already collaborating with various global partners — including companies in the United Arab Emirates, Canada, the United States and Brazil — Chung identified the North American market as his firm's top priority to accelerate global growth.

"North America is the benchmark not only for biometric recognition but for all technologies," Chung said. "We believe that securing successful application cases and references there will pave the way for global expansion. Entering the North American market requires region-specific patents and certifications, and we have already obtained both U.S. patents and iBeta certification."

The company is also turning its attention to the Middle East and North Africa, where there is strong demand for advanced technologies and greater purchasing power compared to Southeast Asia.

In 2023, WINNING.I signed a reseller agreement with T4Trust, a local firm in the UAE, laying the groundwork for expansion across the region.

The Korean firm plans to actively pursue the establishment of a sales office or joint venture in the UAE. If it secures proof-of-concept projects or full-scale contracts with financial or public institutions in the region, the company also aims to leverage those deals to attract overseas investment.

Business scalability

The contactless biometric authentication technology is expected to expand beyond finance into various sectors, including healthcare and public services.

The startup is already in talks to sign a contract with a U.S. consulting firm that works with emergency medical institutions in Kansas.

"The system, which the consulting firm is planning to adopt, is designed based on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to quickly access patients' medical information during large-scale emergencies," Chung said. "By preregistering biometric and medical data of both parents and children, medical providers can instantly identify unconscious patients through contactless authentication and deliver personalized treatment. Our technology is set to play a key role in this system."

Chung emphasized that securing a stable revenue base is the most important task for his firm to achieve its goal of going public on the Kosdaq by 2029.

Because the company is targeting a general initial public offering rather than a technology-specialized listing, securing at least 10 billion won ($7.2 million) in annual revenue is crucial. To that end, the firm is actively pursuing financial services focused on foreign users as well as expanding into overseas markets.

The firm is currently conducting proof-of-concept projects with Jeonbuk Bank and iM Life, planning to launch a non-face-to-face identity verification service for foreigners by early next year.

"This service works by matching facial and fingerprint data of foreign residents in real time with biometric records held by the Ministry of Justice," Chung said. "Our primary target is the approximately 800,000 foreign nationals residing in Korea. We expect it will take one to two years to expand the service to more financial institutions and public sector clients."