SoloKeys
SoloKeys designs and sells open-source FIDO2 hardware security keys built on the co-developed Trussed® Rust framework, serving individual consumers, developers, and enterprise customers seeking phishing-resistant authentication.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SoloKeys does
SoloKeys, Inc. is a Delaware-incorporated, founder-owned hardware company founded in 2018 by Conor Patrick that designs, manufactures, and sells open-source FIDO2/WebAuthn hardware security keys under the Solo 2 product line. The company's flagship Solo 2 and Solo 2+ keys (priced at $35 and $46 respectively) are built on the Trussed® open-source firmware framework, which SoloKeys co-developed with German security key maker Nitrokey and which is written in Rust with dual Apache 2.0 / MIT licensing. The hardware itself is released under CERN-OHL-S and uses an NXP LPC55S69 secure microcontroller with TrustZone support, asymmetric crypto acceleration, PUF, and filesystem encryption; production takes place at a family-run contract manufacturer in Northern Italy (Emilia-Romagna region). SoloKeys targets four distinct customer segments: individual consumers seeking phishing-resistant personal authentication, developers and security researchers (via the unlocked Solo 2 Hacker variant), enterprise customers purchasing 40+ unit volumes with custom logo branding, and conference or event organizers buying branded swag. The company's revenue model is one-time hardware sales — no subscription, no recurring fees, and free lifetime firmware updates — distributed primarily through a Shopify-powered e-commerce store (solokeys.com), supplemented by Kickstarter and Indiegogo crowdfunding campaigns for major product launches (cumulative $598,623 raised from 8,459 backers across the 2021 Solo V2 campaign) and a direct enterprise sales motion handled via [email protected]. SoloKeys is bootstrapped with no external institutional funding, has shipped over 10,000 devices as of mid-2023, and is recognized with the Mozilla MOSS Foundational Technology Award for its open-source security contributions.
SoloKeys firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SoloKeys
- Legal name
- SoloKeys, Inc.
- Website
- https://solokeys.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- SoloKeys designs and sells open-source FIDO2 hardware security keys built on the co-developed Trussed® Rust framework, serving individual consumers, developers, and enterprise customers seeking phishing-resistant authentication.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SoloKeys industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hardware Security Keys / Two-Factor Authentication Devices
- NAICS
- Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621)
- SIC
- Computer Peripheral Equipment, Nec (3577)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Authentication (MFA/Passwordless/Biometrics) Platforms (BPAMAEAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Device Identity & Certificate-Based Authentication (PKI) (BPAMAEAL)
Keywords
Where SoloKeys is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
SoloKeys business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Security Key Sales: SoloKeys generates revenue through one-time hardware sales of security keys. Customers purchase physical security keys (Solo 2, Solo 2+, Solo 2 Hacker) directly from the website or via crowdfunding platforms. There is no subscription model; firmware updates are free for the lifetime of the device.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Solo 2 - Standard FIDO2 security key |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Solo 2+ - FIDO2 security key with NFC |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Solo 2 Hacker - Development device |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Solo 2C - Compact USB-C variant |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Enterprise Volume Orders |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
SoloKeys product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SoloKeys designs, manufactures, and sells open source FIDO2/WebAuthn hardware security keys (Solo 2 and Solo 2+) for phishing-resistant two-factor authentication and passwordless login. The keys are powered by Trussed®, an open source Rust-based firmware framework co-developed with Nitrokey, with credentials stored locally on-device and never uploaded to the cloud. The company also offers the Solo 2 Hacker development device for custom firmware experimentation and sells protective cases.
Product overview
SoloKeys offers a portfolio of open source FIDO2 security keys built on the Trussed framework. The core product line consists of Solo 2 and Solo 2+ models available in USB-A and USB-C form factors, with the '+' variants adding NFC capability for mobile authentication. Solo 2 Hacker provides a developer-focused variant for custom firmware development. The company also sells protective cases and serves enterprise customers with volume pricing and branded options. All products share the same open source Trussed firmware framework written in Rust, support FIDO2/WebAuthn/U2F standards, and provide hardware-backed cryptographic authentication.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Solo 2: Open source FIDO2 security key built with Trussed, available in USB-A and USB-C variants. Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn authentication with capacitive touch sensor.
- Solo 2+
- Solo 2 Hacker
Products and services
- Solo 2 (USB-A and USB-C FIDO2 security key) Open source FIDO2/WebAuthn hardware security key for consumers and enterprises. Supports FIDO2, WebAuthn, and U2F standards for phishing-resistant passwordless login and two-factor authentication, with approximately 100 passkeys per device and capacitive touch confirmation. Available in USB-A and USB-C form factors at $35.
- Solo 2+ (USB-A and USB-C FIDO2 security key with NFC) Premium version of Solo 2 with NFC tap-to-authenticate on compatible Android and iOS devices, in addition to full FIDO2/WebAuthn/U2F support. Available in USB-A and USB-C form factors at $46.
- Solo 2 Hacker (developer security key) Development version of Solo 2 that allows custom firmware to be flashed, enabling developers and security researchers to build FIDO2 applications and experiment with the Trussed® framework. Works as a standard security key out of the box.
- Pack of Colored Cases for Solo 2 Protective silicone sleeves available in multiple colors for Solo 2 security keys. Sold as a pack at $4.
- Solo 1 Tap USB-A (legacy) First-generation SoloKeys open source security key with USB-A connector. Original product from the company's 2018 launch, predating the Solo 2 line.
Quantifiable outcome
- Eliminates over 80% of account takeover threats for businesses deploying FIDO2 two-factor authentication
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use SoloKeys
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SoloKeys technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
SoloKeys partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NitrokeycoreNitrokey is a German security key competitor and collaborator that co-maintains the Trussed® framework with SoloKeys. They have contributed extensions and improvements to the framework and continue to use SoloKeys firmware in their web authentication products. Together they form the 'Trussed Alliance' of framework implementers, users, and evangelists.
- DoyensecminorThird-party security firm engaged to perform security assessment of Solo firmware v3.0.1. Conducted a 10 person/days audit that discovered and helped remediate vulnerabilities.
- KickstartercoreCrowdfunding platform used for major product launches. Solo V2 campaign launched January 2021 with over 6,000 backers, providing initial funding for manufacturing and inventory.
- IndiegogocoreSecondary crowdfunding platform complementing Kickstarter. Solo V2 campaign raised $598,623 from 8,459 backers for manufacturing and fulfillment.
- NXP SemiconductorscoreChip manufacturer providing the LPC55S69 secure microcontroller used in Solo 2. This NXP chip was chosen for its open source compatibility (no NDAs required), secure boot, TrustZone, asymmetric crypto acceleration, PUF, and filesystem encryption features.
- DBM PartnersminorListed as a partner/sponsor on the Indiegogo campaign page.
- LeetronicsminorListed as a partner/sponsor on the Indiegogo campaign page.
- GiteaminorListed as a partner/sponsor on the Indiegogo campaign page.
- DiceKeysminorSoloKeys collaborated to provide security keys that can be seeded with DiceKey-generated secrets. Partnership featured on Crowd Supply campaign and received coverage in Wired, Forbes, and Hackster News.
- Linux Professional InstituteminorSolo 2 is particularly popular with the Linux and xBSD communities including supporters from the Linux Professional Institute.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SoloKeys competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SoloKeys social profiles
Digital presenceSoloKeys compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
SoloKeys financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SoloKeys leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
SoloKeys funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SoloKeys 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 SoloKeys
What does SoloKeys do?
SoloKeys designs, manufactures, and sells open source FIDO2/WebAuthn hardware security keys (Solo 2 and Solo 2+) for phishing-resistant two-factor authentication and passwordless login. The keys are powered by Trussed®, an open source Rust-based firmware framework co-developed with Nitrokey, with credentials stored locally on-device and never uploaded to the cloud. The company also offers the Solo 2 Hacker development device for custom firmware experimentation and sells protective cases.
Is SoloKeys a public or private company?
SoloKeys is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SoloKeys founded?
SoloKeys was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is SoloKeys based?
SoloKeys is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does SoloKeys make money?
One revenue line is on record: hardware Security Key Sales.
Does SoloKeys have an API?
No public API is recorded for SoloKeys.
What industry is SoloKeys in?
SoloKeys's product category is Hardware Security Keys / Two-Factor Authentication Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAEAE, Authentication (MFA/Passwordless/Biometrics) Platforms, with a secondary code of BPAMAEAL, Device Identity & Certificate-Based Authentication (PKI). Its NAICS code is 561621 and its SIC code is 3577.