FIME
Fime is a France-based, PE-owned testing and certification firm serving payment schemes, issuers, acquirers, vendors, mobility operators, and governments across 180+ countries. It provides cloud-based test platforms, EMV and biometric certification, open banking compliance, and consulting services for secure transaction ecosystems.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersGoulles, France
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What FIME does
Fime is a France-headquartered, PE-backed testing and certification services company specializing in secure transaction ecosystems across payments, smart mobility, and digital identity. Founded in 1962 and now operating as FIME SAS under Gallant Capital Partners ownership, the company provides end-to-end capabilities spanning strategic consulting, cloud-based test platforms (Fime Test Factory, Eval+, Smartspy+, Probe+, TrustAPI+), and laboratory testing services across international and domestic payment schemes including EMVCo, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Discover, UnionPay, eftpos, Interac, RuPay, ATH, and Troy.
The company's technical stack combines ISO 27001-certified cloud platforms with hardware probes, supporting Level 1, 2, and 3 EMV certification, open banking API testing (Berlin Group, STET, PSD2 XS2A), biometric card sensor testing, smart mobility ticketing (EMV in transit, NCMC, account-based ticketing), and emerging trust frameworks including MOSIP, DIACC PCTF, and OpenID Foundation conformance. In April 2026, Fime launched FACT, a trust-as-a-service platform for AI agent transactions. The firm operates 8 regional offices and 12 licensed distributors, serving 3,000+ clients in 180+ countries with a headcount in the 501-1,000 range.
Revenue is generated through three primary streams: (1) testing and certification services billed per project or per certification, (2) annual subscriptions for cloud-based test platforms and hardware tools, and (3) professional services including consulting, payments advisory, lab outsourcing, and Fime Academy training priced at EUR 950 per person per day for public courses. Distribution combines direct enterprise sales, a self-serve PLG motion via cloud platforms, and a global distributor channel. In September 2024, Fime acquired UK-based Consult Hyperion to extend digital identity and smart mobility consulting capabilities, and previously acquired CETECOM in June 2020.
FIME firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FIME
- Legal name
- FIME SAS
- Website
- https://fime.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Fime is a France-based, PE-owned testing and certification firm serving payment schemes, issuers, acquirers, vendors, mobility operators, and governments across 180+ countries. It provides cloud-based test platforms, EMV and biometric certification, open banking compliance, and consulting services for secure transaction ecosystems.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FIME industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Payment Testing and Certification
- NAICS
- Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)
- SIC
- Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Quality Engineering & Test Automation (QE/QA) (BPAEAFAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Enterprise Application Testing & QA Services (BPAEAGAI), QA, Test Automation & Software Quality (Manual/Automated Testing, Performance) (EDABAFAL), Fintech & Payments Partner / ISO Referral Networks (FSAEAMAK)
Keywords
Where FIME is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Goulles
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
FIME business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Testing and Certification Services: Laboratory testing and certification services for payment terminals, cards, biometrics, and digital identity solutions. Services include EMVCo testing, PCI compliance, and scheme certifications (Visa, Mastercard, etc.). Revenue generated through per-project testing fees and certification charges.
- Test Platforms and Tools: Cloud-based test platforms (Eval+, Fime Test Factory) and hardware tools (Smartspy+, Probe+) sold via annual subscriptions. Annual subscription model includes all specification updates and platform access.
- Consulting Services: Strategic and technical consulting engagements covering payment advisory, smart mobility implementations, digital identity frameworks, compliance and risk management, and operational effectiveness.
- Training Services (Fime Academy): Professional training courses on EMV specifications, contactless payments, transit ticketing systems, and certification processes. Pricing at 950 EUR per person per day for public courses, with custom in-company training options.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | Issuer Certification Training - 1 day course |
| Subscription | Annual | Eval+ Cloud Test Platform - Annual Subscription |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Testing and Certification Services |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
FIME product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FIME provides end-to-end testing, certification, and consulting services for payment solutions, smart mobility, and digital identity ecosystems. The company sells proprietary cloud-based test platforms (FIME Test Factory, Eval+, Smartspy+, TrustAPI+, FACT) on annual subscriptions, and delivers laboratory-based EMVCo, PCI, and biometric certification testing, payments advisory, and professional training (FIME Academy) to payment schemes, issuers, acquirers, retailers, vendors, transit operators, governments, and identity providers.
Product overview
FIME is a global consulting and testing company enabling secure transaction solutions across payments, smart mobility, and digital identity. The portfolio combines a unified platform (FIME Test Factory) for cloud-based test management with specialized test tools including Eval+ for Level 2 terminal certification, Smartspy+ for transaction analysis, TrustAPI+ for open banking API testing, and FACT for agentic commerce trust verification. Testing services span card/terminal/mobile certification, biometrics, digital identity, and smart mobility across major international payment schemes (EMVCo, Mastercard, Visa, American Express, JCB, Discover, UnionPay, eftpos, Interac, RuPay) and regional schemes. Consulting services include payments advisory, technical consulting, test strategy, and lab outsourcing. Training is delivered through FIME Academy. The September 2024 acquisition of Consult Hyperion expanded FIME's digital identity and smart mobility consulting capabilities with Hyperlab R&D.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- FACT (Framework for Agentic Commerce Trust): A trust-as-a-service platform designed for financial institutions, merchants, and payment technology providers to manage secure transactions with AI agents.
Products and services
- FIME Test Factory
- Eval+
- Smartspy+
- FACT (Framework for Agentic Commerce Trust)
- TrustAPI+
- Level 1 Test Tools
- Level 2 Test Tools
- Level 3 Test Tools
- EMV 3-D Secure Test Platform
- Open Banking Test Tools
- Transport Test Tools
- Mobile Test Tools
- Instant Payments Test Tools
- Digital Identity Test Tools
- Biometrics Testing Services
- Digital Identity Certification Services
- Card, Terminal, Mobile Testing Services
- Smart Mobility Testing Services
- Payments Advisory
- FIME Academy
- Test Strategy
- Lab Outsourcing
Quantifiable outcome
- Fime's cloud-based certification platform streamlined testing and certification for Saudi payments' new card scheme
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use FIME
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
FIME technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration16 records
AI capability4 records
Feature5 records
FIME partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Digital ID and Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC)coreFime accredited as official auditor of the Pan-Canadian Trust Framework (PCTF), becoming one of the first DIACC-accredited auditors based in Quebec. Enables Fime to perform independent compliance audits for financial institutions, fintechs, governments, identity providers, and technology organizations.
- MOSIPcoreFime secured accreditation from MOSIP to conduct biometric device testing for national digital identity programs. Enables Fime's laboratory to provide independent validation that biometric devices meet industry standards and MOSIP requirements.
- OpenID FoundationcoreOpenID Foundation MoU with FIME Alliance, FIDO Alliance, Raidiam, and TrustID Solutions to develop a conformance test program for digital ID systems. Program aims to support global implementation of digital identity standards.
- France Identité/EUDI Wallet StakeholdersminorFrance formalized a Memorandum of Understanding uniting over 70 organizations including Atos, Thales, Sopra Steria, Infineon, and iDAKTO to coordinate preparations for France's implementation of the European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet.
- Consult HyperioncoreFime acquired Consult Hyperion, an expert in payments, smart mobility, and digital identity, to strengthen its consulting and advisory capabilities. The acquisition expanded Fime's expertise and global reach, serving clients from startups to market leaders.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
FIME competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SGS: SGS is one of the world's largest TIC groups, with electronic and payment-related testing services. Its global lab network and accreditation infrastructure position it as a broad incumbent that could expand deeper into payment certification alongside FIME.
- Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a global testing, inspection and certification (TIC) giant with growing exposure to digital trust, cybersecurity, and payment ecosystem services. Its scale and laboratory footprint make it a credible alternative to FIME for scheme-mandated testing.
- IDEMIA: IDEMIA is a major player in payment cards, biometric authentication, and government digital identity. It competes with FIME in the testing, certification, and standards-setting ecosystem for biometric payment cards, ePassports, and national ID programs.
- Intertek: Intertek is a global TIC leader with capabilities spanning electronics, payments, cybersecurity, and connected devices. Comparable to FIME in serving global payment and identity customers with accreditation-driven testing and certification services.
- TÜV SÜD: TÜV SÜD provides testing and certification across automotive, payment, and digital identity categories. Its global accreditation footprint and ability to bundle testing with broader compliance services make it a broad incumbent comparable to FIME in regulated certification markets.
- Thales (Digital Identity & Security): Thales DIS offers digital identity, payment card issuance, and secure transaction solutions. While broader than FIME's certification focus, Thales competes in adjacent areas including biometric cards, mobile payment security, and digital identity frameworks where FIME also provides testing and certification.
- DEKRA: DEKRA is a leading TIC company with growing digital trust and cybersecurity practices. It is comparable to FIME in providing scheme-aligned certification testing and global laboratory coverage for payment and connectivity products.
Emerging players
- Trustonic: Trustonic provides hardware-backed security platforms for mobile payments, connected cars, and IoT. It is comparable to FIME as an emerging player in the payment security and trusted execution environment ecosystem, where FIME provides adjacent certification and testing services.
Direct peers
- Riscure: Riscure is a specialist in security testing and certification for payment cards, mobile payments, and embedded devices. It overlaps with FIME's biometric, EMVCo, and security evaluation services, serving overlapping chip vendors, terminal makers, and mobile payment providers.
- UL Solutions (Payments & Compliance): UL Solutions' Payments & Compliance business (formerly ICC Solutions) is the most direct competitor to FIME, providing EMVCo Level 1/2/3 terminal testing, scheme certifications, and PCI compliance services. Multiple FIME executives (Sherif Samy, Daniella Ribeiro) were previously at UL, confirming close product and customer overlap.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
FIME social profiles
Digital presenceFIME compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
FIME financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FIME leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
FIME subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
FIME funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FIME M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A3 records
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FIME
What does FIME do?
FIME provides end-to-end testing, certification, and consulting services for payment solutions, smart mobility, and digital identity ecosystems. The company sells proprietary cloud-based test platforms (FIME Test Factory, Eval+, Smartspy+, TrustAPI+, FACT) on annual subscriptions, and delivers laboratory-based EMVCo, PCI, and biometric certification testing, payments advisory, and professional training (FIME Academy) to payment schemes, issuers, acquirers, retailers, vendors, transit operators, governments, and identity providers.
Is FIME a public or private company?
FIME is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was FIME founded?
FIME was founded in 2003. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is FIME based?
FIME is headquartered in Goulles, France, in the Europe region.
How does FIME make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Testing and Certification Services are the primary driver. The others are test Platforms and Tools, consulting Services and training Services (Fime Academy).
Who are FIME's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SGS, Bureau Veritas, IDEMIA, Intertek, TÜV SÜD, Thales (Digital Identity & Security) and DEKRA. Trustonic is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Riscure and UL Solutions (Payments & Compliance).
Does FIME have an API?
Yes. FIME offers a developer portal (portal.fime.cloud) and TrustAPI+ platform for automated open banking API testing. The platform validates PSD2 XS2A requirements, supports The Berlin Group and STET standards, and integrates into CI/CD pipelines. Users can access test environments, generate test reports, and validate fintech integrations remotely.
What industry is FIME in?
FIME's product category is Payment Testing and Certification. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAFAJ, Quality Engineering & Test Automation (QE/QA), with a secondary code of BPAEAGAI, Enterprise Application Testing & QA Services. Its NAICS code is 541380 and its SIC code is 8734.