What NEXT Biometrics does

NEXT Biometrics Group ASA is a Norwegian public company (Oslo Stock Exchange: NEXT.OL, listed December 2015) that develops and sells fingerprint biometric sensors based on its proprietary Active Thermal® technology, which measures heat transfer to capture 3D fingerprint depth and perform hardware-level liveness detection. The company's portfolio includes FAP20 (Basalt series) and FAP30 (Granite) sensors, Access 100/200 sensors, the Oyster III USB fingerprint reader, a Windows Hello-certified Securepad touchpad, SDKs (Power and Lite), and facial recognition software delivered through a Paravision partnership. Certifications include FBI PIV/FAP30, Aadhaar L1, MOSIP, NIBSS (Nigeria), and China ID, positioning the products for large-scale government ID, banking/financial inclusion, laptop OEM, and access control deployments across India, Bangladesh, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Pakistan, Nigeria, and the Americas.

NEXT generates revenue primarily through B2B hardware sales of sensors and finished readers to OEM partners and regional distributors, with an explicit strategic shift in July 2026 toward a fabless IP licensing model focused on its Anywhere-on-Display biometric technology and co-developed with Taiwanese display partner Giantplus. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales with a channel/distributor network (ACPL in India, XM Holder and Hengyu in China, Newland in Nigeria, EOD Gear for US Federal, plus the Wiser joint venture in China) and system-integrator partnerships for MOSIP and Aadhaar implementations. Design wins have grown to 85 cumulative (including a record 21 new wins in 2025) and the company has shipped 10M+ sensors over its 25-year operating history, serving billions of users annually across national ID programs.

The company is currently in a stressed financial and strategic position: revenue declined from $48.3M (2022) to $13.4M (2025) and Q1 2026 revenue of NOK 1M was down 40% YoY, EBITDA remains deeply negative, and operations have been funded through successive capital raises including NOK 60M (2023), NOK 40M (2024), NOK 20M (2025), an ongoing NOK 50M rights issue, and NOK 13M of convertible loans from existing shareholders. Management is reducing normalized OPEX from ~NOK 73M to a NOK 45M target by January 2027, has announced CFO and board changes, plans to divest the legacy fingerprint sensor business, and is considering delisting from Euronext Oslo as part of the transition to an IP-licensing business.

Name

NEXT Biometrics

Legal name

NEXT Biometrics Group ASA

Website

https://nextbiometrics.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NEXT Biometrics is a Norwegian public company that develops Active Thermal fingerprint sensors and biometric IP for government ID, banking, laptop OEM, and access control customers, and is pivoting to fabless licensing of its Anywhere-on-Display biometric technology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biometric Authentication Hardware

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

Biometric Input Devices (Fingerprint/Face/Iris Scanners) (HDACAFAI)

Keywords

• Fingerprint sensors
• Biometric authentication
• Active thermal sensing
• Identity verification
• Access control hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Fingerprint Sensor Hardware Sales: NEXT Biometrics generates revenue primarily through the sale of fingerprint sensors (FAP20, FAP30) to OEM partners, distributors, and directly to device manufacturers. Sensors are sold for integration into government ID devices, POS terminals, laptops, access control systems, and smartphones.
2. Fingerprint Reader Sales: Sale of finished fingerprint reader products including the Oyster III USB reader for enterprise and government applications.
3. Intellectual Property Licensing: NEXT Biometrics is transitioning toward an IP licensing business model, allowing partners to license and use NEXT's Active Thermal innovations and Anywhere-on-Display technology in their devices. This represents a shift from manufacturing-led sensor sales to a fabless, licensing-based approach.
4. SDK/Software Licensing: NEXT Biometrics offers SDK products (Power SDK and Lite SDK) for biometric functionality including enrollment, verification (1:1 matching) and identification (1:many matching), sold to device manufacturers and system integrators.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NEXT Biometrics designs and sells high-security fingerprint biometric sensors built on its proprietary Active Thermal technology, which captures heat flow and 3D ridge depth for hardware-level liveness detection. Its portfolio includes FAP 20 and FAP 30 sensors (Basalt, Granite, Access 100/200), the Oyster III USB fingerprint reader, touchpad modules with integrated sensors, biometric SDKs, and facial recognition software, sold primarily to OEMs, government programs, banks, and system integrators. The company is also transitioning toward an IP licensing model for its Anywhere-on-Display full-screen smartphone biometric technology.

Product overview

NEXT Biometrics offers a comprehensive biometric authentication portfolio built on proprietary Active Thermal technology. The core product line includes FAP 20 and FAP 30 fingerprint sensors (Basalt, Granite, Access series) for government ID, banking, and access control applications, complemented by the Oyster III USB fingerprint reader. The company also provides touchpad solutions (ForcePad, Clickpad Plus, Securepad, Clickpad) with optional integrated fingerprint sensors for laptops, facial recognition software via Paravision partnership, and development kits (Power SDK, Lite SDK) for integration. The strategic pivot toward 'Anywhere-on-Display' technology represents a next-generation product direction for full-screen smartphone biometric authentication.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Active Thermal®: Proprietary thermal fingerprint sensing technology using heat detection and 3D imaging for authentication with built-in hardware anti-spoofing
• NEXT Basalt Sensor Series
• NEXT Granite Sensor
• NEXT Access 200 Sensor
• NEXT Access 100 Sensor
• NEXT Oyster III
• ForcePad
• Clickpad Plus
• Securepad
• Clickpad

Products and services

• NEXT Granite Sensor (FAP 30) High-security FAP 30 biometric fingerprint sensor with a 20.32 x 25.4 mm active sensing area, designed for government ID, banking, elections, and high-security access control applications. FBI PIV certified.
• NEXT Basalt Sensor Series (FAP 20) FAP 20 biometric fingerprint sensor series with 15.24 x 20.32 mm active sensing area, including the Basalt L1 Slim variant for compact integration. FBI PIV certified with enhanced anti-spoofing for sensitive government and financial applications.
• NEXT Access 200 Sensor Compact fingerprint sensor with a 12x12 mm active sensing area for small-footprint devices, providing good image quality and low biometric error rates.
• NEXT Access 100 Sensor Fingerprint sensor with a 12x17 mm active sensing area for fast, convenient fingerprint enrollment and authentication with low biometric error rates.
• NEXT Oyster III Fingerprint Reader USB-connected fingerprint reader with metal housing featuring Active Thermal technology, LED finger placement indicators, and liveness detection for SSO and enterprise access control applications.
• NEXT Biometrics Power SDK Full biometric functionality SDK including enrollment, verification (1:1 matching) and identification (1:many matching) with sub-1-second processing time, sold to device manufacturers and system integrators.
• NEXT Biometrics Lite SDK Lightweight SDK for embedded platforms with restricted resources, enabling simple yet effective biometric integration.
• Facial Recognition Software AI-powered facial recognition software offering facial detection, verification (1:1), identification (1:N), profile face matching at extreme angles, and dual authentication. Deployable via cloud, on-premises, or edge, built with Paravision computer vision technology.
• ForcePad Advanced laptop touchpad with variable pressure detection, haptic feedback, customizable gestures, palm rejection technology, and adaptive baseline update for stability in complex environments.
• Clickpad Plus World's first dual-layer NFC touchpad with mobile sensing distance over 25mm, integrated NFC tag, and multi-screen collaboration capabilities for laptops.
• Securepad Touchpad with integrated fingerprint sensor, Windows Hello Certification, MOH/MOC support, and frequency-hopping algorithm for anti-interference in corporate laptop applications.
• Clickpad Standard laptop touchpad with palm rejection, Microsoft PTP compliance, Windows 10/11 gesture compliance, and self-adaptive baseline update mechanism.

Quantifiable outcome

• 69% gross margin in Q4 2025, up from 40% year-over-year, driven by favorable product mix
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability5 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wiser GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 12 June 2024Jointly owned company created with Chinese partner Wiser to accelerate growth ambitions in China. Wiser brings local market expertise and distribution capabilities for NEXT's biometric solutions.
• Chinese Tier-1 Healthcare CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 February 2024Strategic partnership for healthcare and medical insurance market in China. Partnership targets the growing digital health and insurance verification market using NEXT biometric sensors.
• ACPL (India)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Indian OEM partner with Aadhaar L1 certification capability. Multi-year MoU for sensor supply and ongoing purchase orders for government ID and payment applications in India.
• EOD GearminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Partnership to make NEXT's fingerprint products available for the U.S. Federal Government market. EOD Gear serves as channel partner for government customers.
• XM HoldercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Chinese distributor with NOK 18 million purchase orders. Serves as distributor for NEXT sensors in the Chinese market.
• HengyuminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Chinese distribution partner with design win and initial purchase order for NEXT fingerprint sensors.
• Newland Payment TechnologycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020First integrated biometric fingerprint POS device certified by NIBSS in Nigeria. Partnership for financial inclusion initiative supporting the Nigerian government's banking access programs.
• Giantplus Technology Co., Ltd.coreTechnology or IntegrationTaiwanese display technology partner co-developing full-screen fingerprint biometric authentication for smartphones. Partnership follows U.S. patent approval and aims to commercialize 'anywhere-on-display' biometric technology across entire smartphone screens. Prototype planned for Mobile World Congress 2027.
• Arrow ElectronicsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal provider of electronic components and enterprise computing solutions. Arrow provides value to customers by connecting them to technology solutions, serving as a distribution channel for components.
• GlobalLogicminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDigital engineering company and Hitachi Group Company. GlobalLogic helps brands design and build innovative products, platforms, and digital experiences, potentially supporting NEXT's integration and deployment efforts.
• Credence IDminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIntegration partner designing NEXT's Active Thermal FAP20 fingerprint sensor with enhanced anti-spoofing software into lower-cost devices for developing markets in Africa, Latin America, and South East Asia.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Fingerprint Cards: Swedish fingerprint sensor maker and NEXT's most direct competitor. Multiple NEXT senior executives (including the CEO) previously held leadership roles at Fingerprint Cards during its growth phase, indicating deep operational overlap and head-to-head competition in the same fingerprint sensor market.
• Egis Technology: Taiwanese fingerprint sensor company competing in the same markets as NEXT, particularly in mobile and PC applications. NEXT's SVP for South-East Asia was previously President of Egis Technology China, indicating direct operational familiarity.
• IDEMIA: Global leader in biometric identity solutions, including fingerprint sensors deployed in government ID programs (similar to India's Aadhaar). Directly comparable to NEXT's government ID and national identity programs business.
• Precise Biometrics: Swedish fingerprint biometric software and algorithm specialist with focus on government ID and embedded applications. Comparable to NEXT in its focus on fingerprint biometric authentication, particularly in identity programs.
• Suprema: Korean biometrics company specializing in fingerprint and facial recognition for access control and time/attendance applications. Directly comparable to NEXT's access control and physical security product lines.

Broad incumbents

• Goodix Technology: Chinese fabless semiconductor leader in fingerprint sensors, dominating the global smartphone fingerprint IC market. Represents the entrenched competitor NEXT would need to displace with its Anywhere-on-Display technology pivot into the smartphone market.
• Synaptics: Multi-modal biometrics and human interface solutions provider, including fingerprint sensors and touch controllers. Comparable to NEXT's touchpad and biometric sensor product lines for the laptop and notebook OEM segment.
• Thales Group: Major government ID and identity solutions provider with biometric sensor offerings as part of a broader portfolio of digital identity and security products. Comparable to NEXT in the government and national ID market segment.
• HID Global (Assa Abloy): Provider of biometric access control solutions and identity technologies, serving enterprise and government markets. Comparable to NEXT in access control and enterprise biometric authentication segments.
• Qualcomm: Through its 3D Sonic ultrasonic fingerprint sensors, Qualcomm is a major player in smartphone biometrics. Represents a competitor NEXT would face when pursuing smartphone OEM design wins for its Anywhere-on-Display technology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NEXT_Biometrics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/next-biometrics

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NEXT Biometrics