Know Your Customer Limited
Know Your Customer Limited is a Hong Kong-headquartered RegTech firm that provides a modular SaaS platform for business KYC, KYB, and AML compliance, using OCR/NLP/ML and real-time access to 500+ company registries in 140+ countries to serve Tier-1 banks, payments, fintech, and corporate-services clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersWan Chai, Hong Kong SAR China
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Know Your Customer Limited does
Know Your Customer Limited is a Hong Kong-headquartered RegTech company, founded in 2015 by Claus Christensen and Richard Barrett, that provides a modular SaaS ecosystem — branded the "KYC Sphere" — for business KYC, KYB, and AML compliance. The platform is built around three core modules: KYC Workspace (a cloud-based compliance workspace with configurable risk engine, workflows, and immutable audit trails), KYC Data (a single REST API providing real-time access to 500+ local company registries across 140+ countries, with automated data extraction via OCR, NLP, and ML), and KYC Review (perpetual KYC refreshes and continuous AML screening). Customers can assemble these modules via "Build Your Own Solution" or commission a "Bespoke Solution," and a new AI Agent (launched March 2026 with 140+ live registry connections) enables KYB verification without technical integration.
The company primarily serves Tier-1 banks and other regulated financial institutions — with named clients including DBS Bank (Hong Kong), Standard Chartered, Ping An OneConnect Bank, Hamburg Commercial Bank, OFX, Coda Payments, ConnectPay, Orbital, Tricor, 3S Money, and Neat — operating across banking, payments, fintech, corporate services, and real estate verticals in 18 jurisdictions. Revenue is generated through annual subscription licences for the platform modules, pay-as-you-go pricing on individual Business KYC Reports, and bespoke development engagements. Distribution is API-first direct enterprise sales, supported by an integration-partner ecosystem (Microsoft, LSEG World-Check One, TransUnion, Dow Jones, CRIF, Napier, HAWK:AI, GBG, Provenir).
The company operates from offices in Hong Kong, Dublin, Singapore, London, and Shanghai, with a distributed team across 17 countries and four continents. Disclosed external funding is approximately $5.45M across 2017 and 2019 rounds plus a 2021 investment from CRiF; subsequent funding history is not publicly disclosed. The company is privately held, founder-controlled, ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified in Australia, and recognized on the 2026 RegTech100 list.
Know Your Customer Limited firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Know Your Customer Limited
- Legal name
- Know Your Customer Limited
- Website
- https://knowyourcustomer.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Know Your Customer Limited is a Hong Kong-headquartered RegTech firm that provides a modular SaaS platform for business KYC, KYB, and AML compliance, using OCR/NLP/ML and real-time access to 500+ company registries in 140+ countries to serve Tier-1 banks, payments, fintech, and corporate-services clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Know Your Customer Limited industry classification
Industry- Product category
- RegTech Compliance Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- KYC/KYB & Customer Onboarding (CIP, beneficial ownership, screening) (FSAGAFAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Beneficial Ownership (UBO) & Corporate Registry Verification (KYB) (FSAMAMAK), KYC/KYB, Identity Verification & Customer Due Diligence (FSAFAOAE), Identity Verification, Proofing & KYC (IDV) (HDAEAJAI)
Keywords
Where Know Your Customer Limited is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wan Chai
- HQ country
- Hong Kong SAR China
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices5 records
Markets served
Know Your Customer Limited business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- SaaS Platform Subscription: Subscription-based access to the KYC Sphere modular platform including KYC Workspace, KYC Data, and KYC Review modules, with pricing based on usage volume and selected features
- Business KYC Reports: One-time purchase of individual Business KYC Reports providing corporate information, shareholder structures, and official documents from company registries in 140+ jurisdictions
- API Access: Single REST API providing programmatic access to registry data, UBO identification, AML screening, and ID verification services
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Modular platform with customizable feature selection |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual company verification reports |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Know Your Customer Limited product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Know Your Customer Limited operates a modular SaaS ecosystem (KYC Sphere) that automates business KYC and KYB onboarding, UBO identification, and ongoing AML compliance for financial institutions and regulated businesses. The platform delivers real-time access to official company data across 500+ registries in 140+ countries via a single REST API, using AI, OCR, and NLP to extract shareholder and beneficial ownership information from registry documents. Continuous KYC refresh, automated case reviews, immutable audit trails, and an AI Agent enable compliance teams to onboard and monitor corporate clients with reduced manual effort.
Product overview
Know Your Customer Limited offers a modular SaaS ecosystem called the KYC Sphere for Business KYC/KYB compliance, corporate onboarding, and periodic review processes. The core platform consists of three integrated modules: KYC Workspace (cloud-based compliance platform with risk engine, workflows, and audit trails), KYC Data (real-time registry access via single REST API with automated OCR/NLP data extraction), and KYC Review (perpetual KYC refreshes and continuous AML screening). Clients can combine these modular components via 'Build Your Own Solution' or opt for fully 'Bespoke Solutions' with custom development. Additional offerings include Business KYC Reports and an AI Agent with 140+ registry connections enabling KYB without integration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- KYC Sphere: The award-winning SaaS ecosystem and API platform provided by Know Your Customer Limited for business KYC and KYB verification, encompassing KYC Workspace, KYC Data, KYC Review, and related modules.
- RegTalks
Products and services
- KYC Workspace Cloud-based compliance workspace where compliance teams collaborate, review auto-sourced KYC/AML information, and conduct due diligence with risk-engine-driven workflows and immutable audit trails, available through the KYC Data single API.
- KYC Data Real-time registry access module delivering official incorporation documents and shareholder information from 500+ company registries in 140+ countries through a single REST API, with automated data extraction via OCR, ML, and NLP.
- KYC Review Perpetual KYC refresh and continuous AML screening module providing automated case reviews, ongoing monitoring, backlog remediation, and Proof of Identity expiry alerts for always-on corporate compliance.
- Bespoke Solution Custom KYB solution service including tailored compliance workflows, integration with internal services and legacy systems, Power BI report generation, UI theming, hosted customer portals, and data migration for enterprise clients with bespoke requirements.
- Business KYC Report Pre-built on-demand corporate verification report providing vital information on company shareholder structures and official mandatory documents retrieved from company registries in real time, sold as individual reports.
- AI Agent AI-powered agent leveraging 140+ live registry connections that enables KYB verification without requiring an integration, delivering real-time business verification and automated UBO identification.
Quantifiable outcome
- 95% faster onboarding for corporate clients
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Know Your Customer Limited
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Know Your Customer Limited technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
AI capability8 records
Feature6 records
Know Your Customer Limited partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and integration partner.
- DBS Bank (Hong Kong)coreStrategic partnership deploying AI-powered compliance platform for automated SME onboarding and real-time business verification across 140+ jurisdictions. Replaces weeks of manual document collection with near-instant processing, improving operational efficiency and creating transparent audit trails for regulatory examinations.
- Standard CharteredcorePartnership to enhance SME client onboarding processes and boost financing efficiency through automated KYC verification. Standard Chartered Hong Kong leverages Know Your Customer's platform via CDI to simplify loan applications and enable non-face-to-face account opening.
- OFXmajorCollaboration to secure global payments with enhanced business verification capabilities. OFX integrates Know Your Customer's registry access to verify corporate customers across multiple jurisdictions for global payment services.
- AxiommajorPartnership to integrate real-time business verification into AxiomXchange OTC platform for digital asset trading. Provides access to 140+ global company registries for automated business KYC processes.
- First AMLmajorStrategic partnership to tackle global KYB compliance challenges. First AML's all-in-one AML platform integrates Know Your Customer's real-time registry data to enhance comprehensive entity KYC capabilities.
- OrbitalmajorPartnership to strengthen compliance for Orbital's global stablecoin and traditional payments platform. Integration provides real-time business verification and AML screening for cross-border payment services.
- CRIFintegration partnerGlobal technology partnership providing credit and business information systems, analytics, and digital solutions integration for enhanced KYC data capabilities.
- Microsoftintegration partnerTechnology partnership leveraging Microsoft's cloud infrastructure and enterprise platform capabilities for scalable KYC compliance solutions.
- LSEG World-Check Oneintegration partnerPartnership with LSEG business providing financial markets data infrastructure for enhanced AML screening and risk intelligence within the KYC platform.
- TransUnionintegration partnerPartnership providing global information and insights solutions for identity verification and fraud prevention integration.
- Napierintegration partnerCompliance technology partnership combining Napier's financial crime compliance expertise with Know Your Customer's registry data for enhanced AML solutions.
- Dow Jones Risk & Complianceintegration partnerPartnership providing best-in-class risk data and due diligence services for managing regulatory and reputational risk within KYC workflows.
- HAWK:AIintegration partnerAML surveillance technology partnership for banks, payment companies and fintechs, combining Know Your Customer's registry data with Hawk AI's transaction monitoring capabilities.
- GBGintegration partnerPartnership providing digital identity and fraud solutions for enhanced customer verification across 70+ countries.
- Provenirintegration partnerAI-powered risk decisioning partnership combining Know Your Customer's registry data with Provenir's risk assessment platform for fintechs.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Know Your Customer Limited competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Middesk: Middesk is a US-based business verification and KYB platform providing real-time access to Secretary of State data, beneficial ownership, and underwriting data for fintechs and banks. Highly comparable to Know Your Customer on product focus (corporate onboarding/UBO), target buyer (banks, fintechs, payments companies), and API-first delivery model.
- Sumsub: Sumsub is a global verification platform covering KYC, KYB, AML screening, and transaction monitoring for fintechs, crypto, and financial institutions. Directly competes with KYC Ltd. on corporate onboarding, UBO identification, and continuous AML screening across multiple jurisdictions.
- ComplyAdvantage: ComplyAdvantage provides AI-driven AML and KYC data, screening, and monitoring for banks, fintechs, and payments companies. Overlaps with KYC Ltd.'s AML screening and continuous monitoring modules and serves a similar regulated financial institution buyer base.
- Bureau: Bureau offers digital identity, KYC, KYB, and fraud prevention solutions aimed at banks, fintechs, and consumer-facing apps. Highly comparable in product scope (identity + business verification) and customer base across APAC and emerging markets.
- Trulioo: Trulioo provides global identity verification and business verification (KYC/KYB) via API, serving banks, payments, fintechs, and crypto companies. Closely mirrors KYC Ltd.'s global-registry, API-first approach with multi-jurisdiction coverage.
- Onfido (Entrust): Onfido (acquired by Entrust) provides AI-based identity verification and KYC automation for regulated industries. Comparable on KYC onboarding automation and enterprise banking/fintech buyers, though more weighted to individual IDV than corporate KYB.
- Veriff: Veriff offers AI-driven identity verification and KYC solutions for financial services, fintechs, and crypto companies. Overlaps with KYC Ltd. on regulated onboarding automation, AML-relevant data capture, and global customer footprint.
Emerging players
- Persona: Persona is an identity verification platform with growing KYB/business onboarding capabilities. Comparable as an API-first KYC/KYB platform for fintechs and financial institutions, though more weighted toward consumer identity than registry-driven corporate verification.
Broad incumbents
- LSEG World-Check / Risk Intelligence: LSEG World-Check is the dominant AML watchlist and adverse-media screening dataset used by global banks and an integration partner of KYC Ltd.; an incumbent in the surrounding risk-intelligence stack with potential to expand into KYB automation.
- Dow Jones Risk & Compliance: Dow Jones Risk & Compliance provides sanctions, PEP, adverse media, and beneficial ownership data for KYC/AML programs. An established incumbent data vendor (also a KYC Ltd. integration partner) competing for the same bank compliance budget.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Know Your Customer Limited social profiles
Digital presenceKnow Your Customer Limited compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Know Your Customer Limited financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Know Your Customer Limited leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Know Your Customer Limited funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Know Your Customer Limited M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Know Your Customer Limited
What does Know Your Customer Limited do?
Know Your Customer Limited operates a modular SaaS ecosystem (KYC Sphere) that automates business KYC and KYB onboarding, UBO identification, and ongoing AML compliance for financial institutions and regulated businesses. The platform delivers real-time access to official company data across 500+ registries in 140+ countries via a single REST API, using AI, OCR, and NLP to extract shareholder and beneficial ownership information from registry documents. Continuous KYC refresh, automated case reviews, immutable audit trails, and an AI Agent enable compliance teams to onboard and monitor corporate clients with reduced manual effort.
Is Know Your Customer Limited a public or private company?
Know Your Customer Limited is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Know Your Customer Limited founded?
Know Your Customer Limited was founded in 2015. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Know Your Customer Limited based?
Know Your Customer Limited is headquartered in Wan Chai, Hong Kong SAR China, in the Asia region.
How does Know Your Customer Limited make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. SaaS Platform Subscription is the primary driver. The others are business KYC Reports and API Access.
Who are Know Your Customer Limited's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Middesk, Sumsub, ComplyAdvantage, Bureau, Trulioo, Onfido (Entrust) and Veriff. Persona is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are LSEG World-Check / Risk Intelligence and Dow Jones Risk & Compliance.
Does Know Your Customer Limited have an API?
Yes. Know Your Customer provides a single REST API that powers their KYC/KYB compliance platform. The API enables real-time access to official company registries in 140+ countries, automated UBO identification, AML screening, and ID verification. The KYC Data module is described as accessible via 'one single API', and the platform supports integration capabilities through APIs for front-end and back-end systems. Developer documentation is at knowyourcustomer.com/products/kyc-data.
What industry is Know Your Customer Limited in?
Know Your Customer Limited's product category is RegTech Compliance Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAGAFAB, KYC/KYB & Customer Onboarding (CIP, beneficial ownership, screening), with a secondary code of FSAMAMAK, Beneficial Ownership (UBO) & Corporate Registry Verification (KYB). Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7370.