k-ID secures $45m in Series A to enhance online safety for youth

k-ID, a global compliance engine, has successfully raised $45 million in a Series A funding round, bringing its total funding to $51 million. The funding round was led by notable investors Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Lightspeed Venture Partners, with significant contributions from Konvoy, TIRTA, Okta—the world’s leading identity management platform—and Z Venture Capital from LY Corporation. This financial milestone underscores the industry’s confidence in k-ID’s mission to simplify online safety and privacy management for game developers, parents, and their children.

Founded by a team with deep roots in major tech and gaming companies such as Meta, Tencent, and Google, k-ID has rapidly become one of the fastest-growing startups. The company’s initiative is especially personal for co-founder and CEO Kieran Donovan, whose childhood experiences motivated the creation of k-ID. Donovan expressed enthusiasm for the widespread industry support k-ID has received, emphasizing the societal need for secure and empowering online experiences for youth.

In a significant development, k-ID was recently named a 2024 World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer, joining the ranks of transformative companies like Google and Airbnb. This accolade is awarded annually to 100 companies that demonstrate potential to influence industries and society globally.

Further solidifying its role in the industry, k-ID has partnered with the ESRB Privacy Certified program to align its offerings with COPPA-based requirements, providing game publishers a robust tool to secure the ESRB Privacy Certified Kids Seal. This partnership reflects k-ID’s commitment to fostering a safer online environment for children.

Investors have voiced strong support for k-ID’s vision and impact. Jonathan Lai of a16z highlighted k-ID’s role in setting new industry standards for digital youth safety, noting the firm’s continued support from k-ID’s early days. Moritz Baier-Lentz of Lightspeed, who will join k-ID’s board, praised the company for its unique founder-market fit and societal impact.

Okta Ventures’ Austin Arensberg commended k-ID for its innovative approach to managing digital identities for the youth, emphasizing the security needs of this demographic. Similarly, Hyung Kim from Z Venture Capital pointed to k-ID’s solutions as crucial for navigating global compliance challenges and fostering a safer online environment for young users.

k-ID is set to showcase its platform at significant industry events, including the Summer Davos in China and the Games for Change Festival in New York, highlighting its role in the social impact gaming sphere. These appearances will further k-ID’s reputation as a leader in providing secure and enriching online experiences for children and teenagers.

The strategic positioning of k-ID and recent capital influx signify a robust commitment to enhancing online safety in a digital age where young users are increasingly active. The company’s focus on integrating privacy-preserving technology with user-friendly solutions sets a new benchmark in the tech and gaming industries.