The SiGMA AIBC Europe-Mediterranean Startup Pitch delivered an intense competition this afternoon, with Allpass.ai, an AI-powered identity verification provider, taking the top prize. The company walked away with a comprehensive prize package valued at more than $500,000, including marketing, cloud infrastructure, blockchain growth support, branding, education, talent recruitment, company incorporation, and executive networking opportunities.
Allpass.ai Wins Startup Pitch at SiGMA AIBC Europe-Med
The SiGMA AIBC Europe-Mediterranean Startup Pitch delivered an intense competition this afternoon, with Allpass.ai, an AI-powered identity verification provider, taking the top prize. The company walked away with a comprehensive prize package valued at more than $500,000, including marketing, cloud infrastructure, blockchain growth support, branding, education, talent recruitment, company incorporation, and executive networking opportunities.
The contest, hosted by AIBC Managing Director Olga Yaroshevsky, spotlighted six innovative projects spanning tokenization, data-driven advertising, gaming authenticity, care-to-earn models, and crypto payments.
Allpass.ai: Tackling Pain Points in KYC
Presenting on stage, co-founder Denis Galenko addressed the challenges facing iGaming operators, noting that the industry lost up to $16 billion in 2024 due to KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) issues. While large corporations may absorb the costs with dedicated compliance teams, small and mid-sized businesses — which make up around 80% of the market — often find existing solutions too complex and costly.
Headquartered in Estonia with a 17-person R&D team in Ukraine, Allpass.ai already counts Google and Mastercard among its clients. The company delivers identity verification tools that emphasize compliance, privacy, and seamless onboarding, with integration options for both web and mobile platforms.
When asked by judge Jarek Bialek about user drop-off during KYC processes, Galenko responded:
“We learned from banking and fintech, especially during the pandemic. The key is respecting your audience and designing onboarding flows that are simple, tailored, and user-friendly.”
Judge Vladimir Malakchi challenged the startup’s low profile in gaming:
“Where have you been? A good solution usually makes noise. How many operators are you working with, and what are your 2026 plans?”
Galenko explained that the company has until now focused on traditional finance and crypto, serving exchanges and wallets, and that SiGMA marked their first foray into iGaming.
“We came here to explore a brand-new industry for us.”
Another panelist, Mikko Puhakka, asked about risk mitigation during verification. Galenko replied:
“It’s not just about a photo or a selfie. Our liveness detection checks facial muscle movement, heat signatures, and more, distinguishing real users from deepfakes.”
Timing and Opportunity
Fresh from the stage, trophy in hand, Galenko stressed the market need:
“Demand is high, regulations are getting tighter, and everyone is looking for solutions. We believe our timing is perfect.”
He also reflected on the importance of the platform:
“SiGMA AIBC is the beating heart of iGaming. Winning here allows us to connect with the right people, build new partnerships, and expand our presence in the industry.”
Looking ahead, Allpass.ai plans to convert new contacts from the event into active clients and collaborators, strengthening its footprint in iGaming while continuing to serve fintech and blockchain markets.
His advice for other startups:
“Secure customers as quickly as possible — everything else follows.”
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