Corsair Capital acquires majority stake in IDnow via $295m deal

By Gloria Methri

Corsair Capital, a specialist investment firm focused on payments, software, and business services in financial markets, has acquired a majority stake in IDnow, a European identity verification provider, in a deal valued at $295 million.

The acquisition expands Corsair’s existing relationship with IDnow. Corsair first invested in the company with a minority stake in 2019. Since then, IDnow has strengthened its technical leadership, broadened its portfolio of AI-powered identity verification solutions, and completed strategic acquisitions that have cemented its position in the European market, including a strong foothold in France. With this transaction, Corsair aims to accelerate IDnow’s global expansion and market position further.

Founded in 2014, IDnow develops proprietary, AI-driven identity verification technologies tailored for industries such as financial services, telecommunications, travel & mobility, and gaming. The company’s solutions address cybersecurity challenges and digital identity needs for enterprises worldwide.

Commenting on the acquisition, IDnow CEO Andreas Bodczek stated, “Over the past decade, IDnow has become a market leader in identity verification across Germany and France. This partnership with Corsair reaffirms our commitment to innovation and positions us for future success. Corsair’s increased investment underscores their confidence in our vision and allows us to transform further and expand our platform.”

Corsair Partners Raja Hadji-Touma and Edward Wertheim expressed enthusiasm about the deepened collaboration, saying, “Since our initial investment, IDnow has built significant momentum and achieved impressive scale. We look forward to working closely with IDnow’s leadership team to drive its next phase of growth and expansion.”

Felix Haas, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of IDnow, highlighted the deal’s significance, stating, “This milestone enables us to strengthen our capabilities and seize new opportunities in the rapidly growing identity verification market. Corsair’s resources and expertise will help accelerate our growth trajectory, benefiting both our customers and the broader industry.”

The acquisition aligns with Corsair’s strategy to invest in high-growth financial technology firms, further solidifying IDnow’s position as a key player in the global identity verification landscape.