Certgate

What Certgate does

Certgate is a German private limited company that develops and sells AirID-branded secure authentication solutions for security-critical IT environments. The company's core technology combines smart card reader functionality with Bluetooth and USB connectivity, enabling wireless authentication across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android platforms. AirID's hardware portfolio centers on the AirID2 and AirID2 Mini mobile smart card readers and the AirID NFC Smart Card, the latter featuring post-quantum encryption as a forward hedge against quantum computing threats. The technology delivers proximity-based automatic workstation lock/unlock, eliminating the friction of repeated smart card insertion, and is supported by software products including the AirID Virtual authentication solution, the All-in-One App, the AirID Enterprise Manager (AEM) for centralized device administration, and protocol-level solutions such as the AirID SCP03 Framework and Mobile Secure Network over VPN.

Certgate's customer base is anchored by German federal agencies and large industrial enterprises. Named customers include the Bundesrat, the Bundesrechnungshof, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Siemens AG, Siemens Mobility, Porsche AG, Deutsche Bahn, Raiffeisendruckerei, and cpsd it service (Vienna), spanning government, industrial, automotive, transportation, and financial printing use cases. The primary vertical is Government and Public Sector, where the AirID Government offering is positioned for handling classified (VS-NfD) information, supported by certifications including Microsoft Gold Partner, FIDO Alliance membership, Teletrust membership, Alliance for Cybersecurity (BSI), and the "Security Made in Germany" designation.

The business operates a hybrid go-to-market model combining direct enterprise sales for large accounts with an e-commerce channel for smaller purchases. The company has introduced a Software and Support Service layer that bundles updates and support, indicating a recurring-revenue component on top of hardware sales. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Certgate reports 50,000+ AirID secured clients globally and a 4.9 overall customer rating; no revenue, headcount, funding, or founding-date data is disclosed in the available source material.

Name

Certgate

Legal name

Certgate

Website

https://certgate.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Certgate is a German private company developing AirID-branded secure authentication hardware and software — including Bluetooth smart card readers and post-quantum-encrypted NFC cards — sold primarily to government agencies and large enterprises such as Siemens, Deutsche Bahn, and Porsche.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Secure Authentication Hardware

NAICS

Security Systems Services (56162)

SIC

Computer Peripheral Equipment, Nec (3577)

akta.pro primary industry

3D Secure, Authentication & Access Control (FSAMALAD)

Keywords

• Secure authentication solutions
• Smart card readers
• Identity management
• Encryption technology
• Enterprise IT security

Headquarters

HQ city

Nuremberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Certgate is a privately held German company associated with secure authentication and IT security solutions for security-critical environments. Its commercial engagement centers on the AirID portfolio of Bluetooth- and USB-enabled smart card readers, NFC smart cards with post-quantum encryption, and supporting enterprise management software serving enterprise, government, and transportation customers including Siemens, Porsche, Deutsche Bahn, German federal agencies, and the IAEA.

Product overview

The AirID product portfolio consists of hardware and software authentication solutions. Core hardware products include AirID2 and AirID2 Mini (mobile smart card readers with USB/Bluetooth connectivity), the AirID NFC Smart Card (with post-quantum encryption), and AirID Virtual (virtual authentication). Supporting solutions include the All-in-One App for mobile communication and organization, AirID SCP03 Framework for secure protocol exchange, and AirID Enterprise Manager (AEM) for centralized device management. The products are positioned for security-critical environments including government and enterprise sectors, offering strong authentication and encryption capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AirID2 Mobile smart card reader combining card reader and badge holder functionality, enabling wireless smart card authentication via USB and Bluetooth for enterprise and government users.
• AirID2 Mini Compact version of the AirID2 smart card reader, designed for easy integration into existing corporate IT systems in a smaller form factor.
• AirID NFC Smart Card NFC-based smart card with post-quantum encryption, providing additional hardware security layer for authentication in security-critical environments.
• All-in-One App Comprehensive mobile application for secure communication and organization, available for iOS iPhone Indigo with Blackberry MDM support.
• All-in-One App for iOS iPhone Indigo with Blackberry MDM Secure and efficient communication and organization solution for iOS iPhone Indigo with Blackberry MDM integration.
• AirID Virtual Virtual authentication solution representing the next evolution of software-based authentication technology for digital identity management.
• AirID SCP03 Framework Security protocol framework enabling secure information exchange using SCP03 cryptographic protocols between smart card and reader.
• AirID Enterprise Manager (AEM) Server-side management program for enterprise deployment and centralized administration of AirID devices and users across an organization.
• Mobile Secure Network over VPN Channels Solution for establishing secure mobile connections to enterprise networks through encrypted VPN channels.
• AirID Software and Support Service Flexible, cost-effective software updates and support service covering all AirID products and services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50000+ AirID secured clients globally
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• certgateminorGTM or Marketing Partnercertgate is mentioned positively in a Siemens AG testimonial praising the collaboration. Siemens representative Diana Srebrzynski stated 'Die Zusammenarbeit mit certgate ist fantastisch. Hier wird Partnerschaft noch ganz groß geschrieben' indicating certgate operates as a partner in enterprise GTM activities.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Atos (Evidian IAM): Atos' Evidian identity and access management portfolio targets European enterprises and governments with strong-authentication and PKI solutions, overlapping AirID's regulated-buyer footprint.
• RSA Security: RSA provides enterprise authentication and identity assurance (hardware tokens, SecurID, IAM). While more software-centric, RSA competes with AirID for enterprise two-factor and strong-authentication budgets.
• Okta: Okta is a leading cloud identity provider whose passwordless and adaptive MFA offerings compete for the same enterprise authentication wallet share that funds smart card reader deployments like AirID.
• IDEMIA: IDEMIA is a major issuer of secure identity documents, smart cards, and authentication devices for governments and enterprises. It operates in the same high-assurance authentication market where AirID is positioned.
• HID Global: HID Global is a dominant provider of smart cards, readers, and physical/logical access control, with deep government and enterprise distribution. AirID is a niche specialist competing against HID's broad portfolio.
• Thales (incl. Gemalto): Thales' digital security business (formerly Gemalto) provides smart cards, identity, and strong authentication solutions for governments and enterprises globally. It competes with AirID across government and regulated-enterprise authentication deployments.

Emerging players

• Nitrokey: Nitrokey is a smaller European vendor of open-source hardware security keys and smart card-based authenticators with a strong German/DACH and privacy-focused customer base, directly overlapping AirID's niche.

Others

• NXP Semiconductors: NXP supplies the secure elements and NFC chips that underpin smart card readers and contactless credentials. It is an enabling/component peer for hardware players like AirID rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Identiv: Identiv designs and manufactures smart card readers, NFC/RFID readers, and physical access credentials — directly overlapping AirID's hardware reader portfolio and government/enterprise customer profile.
• Yubico: Yubico makes FIDO-compatible security keys and smart card-based authentication devices (YubiKey) that compete head-to-head with AirID2/AirID2 Mini in enterprise strong-authentication use cases. Both target the same high-assurance user base with hardware-bound credentials.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Certgate