GTS Alive

What GTS Alive does

GTS Alive is the largest global distributor of the International Student Identity Card (ISIC), operating a digital identity ecosystem that connects students, teachers, youth, academic institutions, banks, and merchants across 20 markets and 4 continents. Founded in 2000 (originally as CLEAR CARDS ltd.) and headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, the company issues physical and digital ISIC, ITIC, IYTC, and EYCA cards through a network of 1,600+ academic institutions and 600+ merchant partners, reaching 1.5M+ active users globally with 1M+ IDs issued annually.

The company's core technology stack is the proprietary Alive Platform ERP, which manages ID ordering and issuance, customer and partner databases, marketing tools, and verification solutions across 28 countries. This is complemented by the Alive App (the digital hub for all IDs with NFC-based mobile access), AliveID (digital identity layer), Alive Verify (merchant verification via QR codes and API), Alive Partners (marketing management platform), and EtuGate (cloud-based access control system deployed in 100+ institutions). The platform integrates with Samsung Wallet, Google Cloud Vision (for photo verification), Sentry.io, Microsoft Clarity, and major banking partners via co-branded debit/prepaid card programs.

GTS Alive generates revenue across five streams: one-time card issuance fees, licensing/royalty income from bank co-branding partnerships (Erste Bank Austria ~100K cards, BRD Romania 150K+ annually, DSK Bulgaria, ADIB UAE, ABK Kuwait, Credit Agricole du Maroc), affiliate/referral fees from the merchant discount network, hardware sales from EtuGate access control systems, and recurring subscription revenue from enterprise software deployments. Go-to-market combines enterprise field sales to academic institutions and banks, channel partnerships with exclusive ISIC representative entities in each territory, and direct-to-consumer online ordering through the ISIC website and Alive App. The company operates through wholly-owned subsidiaries in Spain (ViaJoven), India (STIC), Morocco (ESA), and UAE (GTS ALIVE ME DMCC), with a minority stake in Poland (Almatur ID) and joint ventures in Germany/Austria, Australia/New Zealand, and Morocco.

Name

GTS Alive

Legal name

GTS ALIVE Group s.r.o.

Website

https://gtsalive.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

GTS Alive is the largest global distributor of the ISIC student identity card, operating a proprietary digital ID ecosystem across 20 markets. It serves students, teachers, academic institutions, banks, and merchants through card issuance, mobile apps, verification, and access control.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Identity Solutions

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Card Issuing & Program Management Platforms (BPAMAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Open-Loop Prepaid Cards (Network-Branded) (FSAMANAA)

Keywords

• Student identity cards
• Digital ID verification
• Access control systems
• Youth discount programs
• Co-branded payment cards

Headquarters

HQ city

Prague

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Physical and Digital ID Card Issuance: GTS Alive generates revenue through issuing physical and digital student ID cards (ISIC, ITIC, IYTC) across 20 markets. Cards are issued through academic institutions, banks, and direct online channels.
2. Bank Co-branding Partnerships: Revenue from co-branding partnerships with major retail banks (Erste Bank, BRD, DSK, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, ABK, Credit Agricole du Maroc) where banks issue co-branded student debit/prepaid cards with ISIC functionality.
3. Merchant Network and Discount Programs: Revenue derived from the merchant network where businesses pay to offer discounts to the student/youth cardholder base. The Alive Partners platform enables businesses to manage targeted marketing offers.
4. Access Control Systems (EtuGate): Revenue from selling and deploying access control hardware (readers, turnstiles) and cloud-based software solutions to academic institutions and corporate partners.
5. Enterprise Software Subscriptions: Subscription revenue from the Alive Platform ERP and related tools for academic institutions and business partners for ID management, marketing, and verification services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

GTS Alive issues physical and digital student, teacher, and youth identity cards (ISIC, ITIC, IYTC, EYCA) through a proprietary digital ecosystem anchored by the Alive Platform ERP, Alive App, Alive Verify, and Alive Partners. The company also sells EtuGate cloud-based access control systems to academic institutions and licenses co-branded ID + payment card programs to retail banks.

Product overview

GTS Alive operates as a full member of the ISIC Association and the largest global distributor of ISIC cards, offering a comprehensive digital identity ecosystem. The product portfolio centers on student, teacher, and youth ID cards (ISIC, ITIC, IYTC, European Youth Card) available as physical and digital formats, supported by the proprietary Alive Platform ERP that manages ID issuance, partner databases, and verification across 28 countries. The mobile-first Alive App serves as the central hub, consolidating all digital IDs (AliveID), offering discounts via Alive Partners, and enabling mobile access control (Alive App Key with NFC). For merchants, Alive Verify provides QR code scanning, sticker integration, and API-based online verification with analytics. The EtuGate access control system extends ID functionality into physical security for institutions. All products are interconnected through the Alive Platform, creating a unified ID ecosystem connecting 1.5M+ active users with 600+ partners offering 3,000+ discounts across 20 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Alive App: Mobile application for card holders offering a single place for all their IDs with instant verification and access to hundreds of tailor-made offers and discounts.
• AliveID
• Alive Verify
• Alive Partners
• Alive Platform
• EtuGate
• Alive Cares

Products and services

• International Student Identity Card (ISIC) The only internationally accepted student identity card, providing student status verification, access to thousands of discounts worldwide, and participation in the global student community. Available as physical or digital card.
• International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC) The only internationally recognized ID card for full-time teachers and professors, providing specialized discounts and savings both at home and abroad.
• International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) Card carrying many of the same benefits and discounts as the ISIC card, designed for young travelers aged 26 and under.
• European Youth Card (EYCA / EURO<26) International youth ID allowing reductions on cultural activities, shops, transport, eating out, and accommodation in 38 European countries.
• Alive App Mobile application serving as the core digital hub for all ID cards, offering single place for IDs with instant verification, access to tailor-made offers and discounts, push notifications, and mobile access via Alive App Key with NFC.
• AliveID Core digital product included in every ID issued by GTS Alive Group through the Alive Platform. Provides digital card display and verification for B2C and B2B customers.
• Alive Verify Student verification tool for merchants and businesses providing quick and intuitive student ID verification. Also provides businesses with analytics and unique marketing insights into usage of cards and offerings.
• Alive Partners Custom-built marketing management platform enabling businesses to easily manage discounts and marketing offers. Businesses can create highly customizable offers targeting specific audiences and demographics.
• Alive Platform Advanced ERP platform serving as the central system supporting all features of the Alive Digital Offering, including ID ordering and issuance, customer and partner database management, marketing tools, and verification solutions. Utilized in 28 countries worldwide.
• EtuGate Access Control System Cloud-based access control platform with focus on security, EU legislation compliance, and full ISIC/ITIC compatibility. Operates security locks, turnstiles, gates, and elevators. Supports mobile access via NFC through Alive App Key.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1 million+ student IDs issued annually across GTS Alive Group
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability6 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HuaweicoreTechnology or Integration · 7 March 2025GTS Alive Group partnered with Huawei announced March 2025. Details of the partnership scope were being developed.
• Student Discount Cards Limited (SDCL)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025In 2025, GTS Alive entered into a strategic partnership with Student Discount Cards Limited (SDCL), who are part owned by the National Union of Students (NUS), representing and engaging with millions of students across the UK. As the exclusive ISIC representative entity, the team relaunched ISIC with an enhanced value proposition and modernized distribution strategy.
• SantandercoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024ViaJoven (Spain subsidiary) works with Santander by integrating the digital ISIC into the Universidades program for Spanish tertiary institutions. Most cards issued in Spain are digital through this partnership.
• Almatur IDcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024In 2025, GTS Alive expanded to Poland by acquiring a minority stake in Almatur ID, the newly established ISIC exclusive representative in Poland. With a student population of more than one million, Poland is positioned as a key regional hub.
• MastercardcoreTechnology or Integration · 9 July 2023Mastercard collaborates with ABK and ISIC to launch the ISIC Youth prepaid card enabling contactless payment options for students. Partnership enables secure and convenient transactions.
• Samsung ElectronicscoreTechnology or Integration · 29 June 2023ISIC partnered with Samsung Electronics to launch ISIC card in Samsung Wallet. On June 29, 2023, Samsung Electronics rolled out an update to Samsung Pay in South Korea including ISIC card integration into Samsung Wallet. Digital ID shows student name, date of birth, academic institution, validity, and QR code for verification.
• Erste BankcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Long-term relationship with Erste Bank in Austria that co-brands almost 100,000 cards across the country. Success in Austria is largely due to this partnership, with physical payment cards issued.
• Credit Agricole du MaroccoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Co-brand agreement with Credit agricole du Maroc as part of the Education Services Africa (ESA) launch in Morocco in 2022. Issued several thousand digital ID cards to local student and youth community.
• Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership with ABK to introduce the first ISIC Youth prepaid card for students in Kuwait, in collaboration with Mastercard. Launch coincided with high school graduations, providing students with prepaid card plus student ID functionality.
• Sohar Islamic Bank (Oman)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022New partnership launched with Sohar Islamic Bank in Oman as part of GCC expansion in 2022.
• Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2015Strategic partnership issuing co-branded ISIC cards with Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, a top 3 consumer bank in the UAE, since 2015. Most cards in GCC are digital.
• BRD Bank (Société Générale Group)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2012Largest partnership in Romania is a co-branded debit product with BRD bank, one of the largest retail banks in the country, issuing well in excess of 150,000 cards annually.
• DSK Bank (OTP Group)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2012Strong working relationship with DSK Bank in Bulgaria (part of OTP group). Multiple triple co-branded partnerships with universities and colleges leading to issuance of tens of thousands of ID cards across the student segment.
• VodafonecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-standing partnership with Vodafone enabling cooperation to support students with validation and additional benefits through ISIC and ISIC Scholar cards. Vodafone appreciates the flexibility and willingness of GTS Alive.
• SamsungcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCooperation with GTS Alive for various student campaigns and competitions, reaching thousands of students through the ISIC Tour. Proud partners of the ISIC Tour program.
• KFCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKFC has been offering students iconic products at substantial discounts through the ISIC program for several years. Students constitute a significant portion of KFC customers.
• Dr. Max (dr.max)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with GTS Alive to educate young generation in health and beauty. GTS Alive team provides unique database of clients and wide range of marketing activities for unconventional campaigns.
• Charles UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe oldest university in central Europe adopted ISIC as its student ID in 2004. Long-standing partnership for student ID issuance.
• Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCTU has issued ISIC cards to its students since 2005. Cooperation with GTS Alive has always been professional and responsive to university's requirements.
• University of New York in Prague (UNYP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGTS Alive helped UNYP switch completely to digital IDs for faculty, students and alumni, making administrative process much faster and easier. QR codes/barcodes included for library use.
• University of SharjahminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic co-brand relationship in UAE as part of GCC expansion. Currently process of expanding across the GCC region.
• Ajman UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic co-brand relationship in UAE as part of GCC expansion. Several exciting new relationships for growth in the pipeline.
• Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) DubaicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerISIC/ISIC Middle East partnership with RTA in Dubai announced January 2025 for student transport benefits and verification services.
• University of BucharestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISIC and ITIC issued directly through University of Bucharest in Romania.
• Danubius GalatiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISIC and ITIC issued directly through Danubius Galati university in Romania.
• University of Architecture in BucharestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISIC and ITIC issued directly through University of Architecture in Bucharest in Romania.
• Bucharest City HallminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2020, in cooperation with Bucharest City Hall, GTS launched the Bucharest Youth Card project. GTS holds exclusive license for EYCA development and distribution in Romania.
• ISIC AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGTS Alive is a full member of the ISIC Association and is the largest distributor of ISIC cards globally. ISIC established in 1953, the only internationally accepted student identity card endorsed by UNESCO.
• EYCA (European Youth Card Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGTS holds exclusive license for development and distribution of EYCA (European Youth Card, also known as EURO<26) in Romania and Bulgaria. Card allows reductions on cultural activities, shops, transport, eating out and accommodation in 38 European countries.
• STIC Youth Travels (STIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGTS has been active in India since 2011 through its subsidiary STIC Youth Travels. STIC developed contractual relationships with three of the largest high street banking establishments and launched My VAL-U white labeled consumer app.
• ViaJovencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGTS has been active in Spain through daughter company ViaJoven since 2014. ISIC and ITIC cards issued through over 100 academic co-branded relationships.
• Education Services Africa (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal entity in Morocco established as part of North Africa expansion in 2022. Within first 18 months, ESA signed co-brand agreement with Credit agricole du Maroc and several distribution agreements with academic and youth focused organisations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• TOTUM (formerly NUS Extra): UK-based student discount and identity card operated by Student Discount Cards Limited (part-owned by NUS). TOTUM is the most direct functional analogue to GTS Alive's ISIC card, and notably GTS Alive entered a strategic partnership with SDCL in 2025 to relaunch ISIC in the UK, evidencing direct overlap.
• Transact Campus (Roper Technologies): Provider of campus payment, ID, and commerce solutions to higher education institutions across the US. Highly comparable to GTS Alive's EtuGate + Alive Platform combination: integrated campus cards, mobile credentials, and merchant networks serving universities and students.
• TouchNet Payment Solutions (Anthology): Campus commerce and credential management platform owned by Anthology (Blackboard parent). TouchNet handles tuition payments, campus cards, and ID-based services for universities - directly overlapping GTS Alive's Alive Platform ERP and verification offerings for academic institutions.

Broad incumbents

• IDEMIA: Global leader in identity and security solutions, including student ID card issuance, secure credentials, and biometric verification. IDEMIA is a much larger incumbent serving governments and institutions across multiple sectors, providing direct competition for card issuance and verification contracts GTS Alive pursues.
• Entrust: Provider of identity and card issuance solutions, including physical and digital credentials for enterprises, governments, and educational institutions. Comparable to GTS Alive on the secure issuance and identity verification layer of the stack, though operating at much broader enterprise scale.
• Thales Digital Identity & Security: Global identity and access management provider offering digital ID wallets, biometric verification, and secure credentials. Competes with GTS Alive's AliveID, Alive Verify, and NFC mobile access capabilities, especially as Thales expands student and citizen digital ID programs.
• Blackbaud: Provider of software for the social good sector, including higher education student information systems and campus management. Blackbaud is an incumbent in the academic institution software layer where GTS Alive's Alive Platform ERP is deployed at 1,600+ schools, representing both an integration partner and adjacent competitor.

Emerging players

• Pockit: UK-based prepaid card and mobile banking app targeting underbanked and younger demographics. Comparable to GTS Alive's co-branded student prepaid card offerings (e.g., ABK ISIC Youth prepaid with Mastercard) from a youth-focused banking angle, though without the broader student verification ecosystem.
• Curve: All-in-one payment card that consolidates multiple cards into one. Curve competes indirectly with GTS Alive's NFC mobile access and digital wallet strategy as it pushes toward consolidating payment and identity functionality into a single mobile-first credential.
• Atrium Campus Solutions: Campus card and payment platform serving higher education institutions with mobile credentials and integrated commerce. Comparable to GTS Alive's EtuGate and Alive App Key (NFC mobile access) offerings, particularly for universities modernizing from physical to digital student IDs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 GTS Alive