Smile Checks

What Smile Checks does

Smile Checks (legal entity: Smile Technology Pte Ltd, UEN 202113264H, incorporated in Singapore) is a digital background verification platform targeting HR and recruitment teams primarily in the Philippines. The platform offers 16+ check types covering identity, employment history, NBI clearance, academic credentials, professional licenses, and character/professional/HR references, and claims direct AI-mediated connections to authoritative Philippine government sources (SSS, NBI, PRC) for real-time validation. The verifiable product surface includes a self-serve web portal (app.getsmilechecks.com), a REST API supporting up to 500 checks per day with real-time webhook updates, CSV bulk import (up to 100 candidates per batch, 5 batches per day), automated reference management, role-based access control, row-level data isolation, and NPC/DPA-compliant data handling.

The company's go-to-market is product-led and multi-channel: a freemium Basic tier with pay-as-you-go credits and free sign-up (no credit card required) sits alongside a Professional tier (250 credits upfront at a 30% discount) and an Enterprise tier (3,000 credits upfront at a 50% discount with dedicated account management, custom ATS integrations, and SLA-backed support). Distribution combines self-serve onboarding with inside sales and enterprise field sales, plus ATS integrations with Zoho Recruit, Greenhouse, Sprout, and Workday. Smile Checks has named reference customers across BPO, distribution, healthcare, hospitality, IT services, real estate, construction, automotive and F&B verticals in the Philippines, and operates from Singapore, Manila, and Shanghai.

Smile Checks is privately held, was founded in 2022, has 11–50 employees, and is not publicly listed. No funding rounds, revenue, ARR, or ownership data are disclosed in the available material. The company has accumulated a dense track record of regional startup recognition (Ideaspace Cohort 10, GIA Jakarta Batch 8, GIA Manila Batch 4, KMC Gold and Bronze, PLDT Innovation Challenge Grand Winner, e27 Top 100, Google Cloud Academy APAC) and 2025 finalist positions at G20 Techsprint and the vLEI Global Hackathon, signaling positioning for broader APAC and financial-identity use cases beyond Philippine pre-employment screening.

Name

Smile Checks

Legal name

Smile Technology Pte Ltd

Website

https://getsmilechecks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Smile Checks is a Singapore-incorporated, Philippines-focused HR tech platform that runs AI-mediated digital background verification across 16+ check types by connecting directly to government data sources (SSS, NBI, PRC) for HR and recruitment teams.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Background Verification Services

NAICS

Investigation and Personal Background Check Services (561611), Employment Placement Agencies (561311)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Employment Verification (Work History & References) (BPACALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Credential, Education & Professional License Verification (BPAKAEAI), Identity Verification (ID, SSN Trace, KYC-lite) (BPACALAD), Fraud Prevention & Identity Verification (IDV/KYC) (BPAMAEAI)

Keywords

• Background verification platform
• Pre-employment screening
• AI-powered HR tech
• Employee background checks
• Digital identity verification

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Credit-Based Background Checks: Pay-as-you-go credit system where companies purchase credits upfront and spend them when initiating background checks. Credits are refunded automatically for cancelled checks or missed reports. Tiered pricing offers 30% off for Professional (250 credits) and 50% off for Enterprise (3,000 credits).
2. Subscription Plans: Three-tier pricing structure: Basic (free with pay-as-you-go credits), Professional (contact sales with 250 credits upfront), and Enterprise (custom pricing with 3,000 credits upfront). Additional revenue from custom credit packages and volume pricing for high-volume organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Smile Checks operates a digital background verification platform that helps HR teams in the Philippines verify candidate identity, employment history, education credentials, criminal records (NBI), professional licenses (PRC), and references in real time. The AI-powered platform connects directly to authoritative Philippine government sources—SSS, NBI, and PRC—and supports 16+ check types delivered via a self-serve web portal with pay-as-you-go credits, REST API for ATS integration, and tiered subscription plans (Basic free, Professional, Enterprise).

Product overview

Smile Checks is a digital background verification platform consisting of the core Smile Checks Verifier Portal (app.getsmilechecks.com), accessible via Basic, Professional, and Enterprise pricing tiers. The platform offers 16+ check types including identity verification, employment history, NBI clearance, academic verification, and reference checks (character, professional, HR). Verification bundles (Basic, Plus, Advanced) enable standardized hiring workflows, while à-la-carte selection allows flexible credit-based purchasing. The REST API integration connects with ATS platforms (Zoho Recruit, Greenhouse) and enterprise HR systems (Sprout, Workday). Reports are delivered via email and platform dashboard with role-based access control.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Smile Checks Background Verification Platform A digital, AI-powered background verification platform that enables HR teams in the Philippines to verify candidate identity (ID & TIN), employment history, NBI clearance, academic credentials, professional licenses (PRC), and character, professional, and HR references through real-time connections to authoritative government sources. The platform serves BPO, distribution, healthcare, hospitality, and technology employers with 16+ check types available via self-serve web portal, pay-as-you-go credits, and REST API integration with ATS platforms.
• Smile Checks Verifier Portal Web-based application (app.getsmilechecks.com) that serves as the operational interface for HR teams to initiate background checks, track verification status in real time, manage candidates, download reports, configure team permissions and roles, and manage API and ATS integrations. Supports multi-user access with role-based permissions, CSV bulk import of up to 100 candidates per batch, reusable verification templates, and report delivery via email and dashboard.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduce Time-to-Hire by up to 80%
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Zoho RecruitcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Zoho Recruit ATS platform allowing HR teams to initiate background checks directly from their existing recruitment workflow. Part of REST API and ATS integration capabilities.
• GreenhousecoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Greenhouse ATS platform enabling seamless background check initiation within the hiring platform. Part of REST API and ATS integration capabilities.
• National Privacy Commission (NPC)coreOthersRegistered with the National Privacy Commission of the Philippines. Logo displayed on contact page indicating official NPC registration for data privacy compliance.
• Singapore Fintech AssociationcoreOthersCertified Fintech by Singapore Fintech Association (2022). Official regulatory recognition of fintech status.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SpringVerify: SpringVerify is an India-based background verification platform offering employment, education, address, and identity checks via API for HR tech buyers. It is the closest emerging-market peer in product, market segment (BPO/IT services), and self-serve SaaS motion.
• Checkr: Checkr is the US leader in API-first, self-serve background check SaaS — the closest analog to Smile Checks' product model and GTM motion (ATS integrations, credit-based pricing, real-time status tracking). Both target high-volume HR screening with developer-first APIs.
• Veremark: Veremark offers global, API-first background screening with employment, education, and reference checks, integrated with ATS platforms. Operates in similar emerging/regional markets with comparable self-serve SaaS pricing model.

Emerging players

• AuthBridge: AuthBridge is an India-based identity verification and background screening provider with API-driven KYC and employment checks. Targets BPO and enterprise HR customers in emerging Asia, overlapping with Smile Checks' vertical focus.
• PimEyes: PimEyes is a face-search/identity verification platform using AI to match identities against web sources. Adjacent in identity-verification AI capability and use cases for fraud prevention, though different end-market (open-web search vs HR screening).
• RefNow: RefNow is a reference-checking SaaS platform with automated, self-serve reference management — directly comparable to Smile Checks' character/professional reference modules and self-serve onboarding motion.
• ValidateMe: ValidateMe is a US background check provider focused on employment and education verification with self-serve ordering. Smaller and more niche than Checkr but offers a comparable product set to Smile Checks.

Broad incumbents

• HireRight: HireRight is a large, established global background screening provider offering employment, criminal, education, and identity checks across 200+ countries. Serves enterprise customers with similar use cases but with a heavier services-led model versus Smile Checks' self-serve SaaS approach.
• Accurate Background: Accurate is a US-based background screening provider serving enterprise HR with employment verification, criminal checks, and ATS integrations. Comparable product scope and ATS integration model, but operates primarily in North America.
• Sterling Check: Sterling is a publicly-traded global background screening incumbent serving enterprise HR and talent acquisition with employment, criminal, and credential verification. Comparable product breadth but a much broader geographic footprint and larger enterprise focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SmileChecks
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@getsmileapi
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smile-checks

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 Smile Checks