Founders: Caryn Seidman Becker (CEO), Ken Cornick
Launched: 2010
Headquarters: New York City
Funding: N/A
Valuation: N/A
Key technologies: Biometrics
Industry: Biometrics, security, tourism, travel
George Kavallines | CNBC
Showing an ID to get through airport security is so last century. CLEAR, a New York City-based company, is using biometrics (your fingerprint, the iris of your eyes, your face) so that with a touch of a finger or a blink of an eye your identity is verified. The company claims to have 3 million members using CLEAR to get through more than 40 airports, arenas and stadiums around the country instead of having to show tickets, boarding passes or IDs.
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Co-founders Caryn Seidman Becker and Ken Cornick, who had previously co-founded Arience Capital, bought the company out of bankruptcy and launched it as CLEAR in 2010. Both believed in the power of biometrics and the potential of creating frictionless customer experiences. In August they moved the needle even further by launching a biometric payment and age validation service.
CLEAR kiosks at CenturyLink Field and T-Mobile Arena in Seattle let sports fans buy food, drinks and prove they are of legal age to purchase alcohol with just a tap of their finger. The company says this is the first time in the U.S. that biometrics has replaced a government-issued ID for age validation and credit card purchases in a single touch. CLEAR has plans to expand this service to more locations in the coming year.
A full membership for CLEAR costs $180 annually and covers all participating airports and stadiums. Membership to get into sports stadiums and arenas is free. So far, the company has raised $35 million from Revolution Growth and T. Rowe Price.
