Unibeam Raises $6M to Revolutionize SIM-Based Authentication Technology

A New Era in Digital Identity Verification

In a digital age where deepfakes and identity fraud are rising at alarming rates, the way we verify identities online must evolve. Traditional authentication methods such as passwords, apps, and even one-time codes are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated cyber threats. This is where Israeli cybersecurity startup Unibeam enters the scene, with a pioneering approach to digital identity verification—anchored directly to the SIM card or eSIM embedded in mobile devices.

Recently, Unibeam raised \$6 million in Seed funding, led by venture firm NFX and supported by AnD Ventures. The funding aims to expand its groundbreaking SIM-based cryptographic authentication solution, which redefines how identity is verified across digital platforms, mobile devices, and even IoT systems.

Unibeam’s Breakthrough: A the Innovation

Unibeam has introduced a secure, seamless method of verifying identity that doesn’t rely on conventional passwords, biometric scans, or easily phishable SMS codes. Instead, the company uses cryptographic authentication tied to the secure chip inside SIM and eSIM cards. This deterministic method provides certainty rather than probability—meaning it doesn’t guess whether someone is legitimate, it knows based on unforgeable device and SIM identifiers like the SIM ID, device ID, and phone number.

This fresh approach offers a significant advantage in the fight against AI-driven identity fraud, which has seen exponential growth. For example, SIM-swapping attacks surged by 1,000% in the UK in 2024, underlining the vulnerability of current authentication methods. Even federal agencies like the FBI and CISA have warned against using SMS-based OTPs due to their susceptibility to phishing and interception.

Backing the innovation is NFX’s Gigi Levy-Weiss, who praised Unibeam’s ability to bring a “deterministic approach” to authentication—anchoring identity to devices in a way that’s nearly impossible to spoof. Meanwhile, Unibeam’s founder Ran Ben-David envisions a future where identity verification is instant, invisible, and unbreakable. His vision emphasizes that security should not just be effective—it should be frictionless for users. With no apps to download, no passwords to remember, and no codes to enter, Unibeam offers a plug-and-play solution accessible across all mobile platforms, from smartphones to IoT devices.

The startup’s platform is available as a SaaS API, which enables easy integration for companies looking to secure logins, authenticate users with multi-factor processes, authorize transactions, or even verify devices in connected ecosystems.

Joining Ben-David is CTO Steve Harkins, along with an elite advisory board made up of seasoned telecom veterans from global giants like Orange, Vodafone, and Telecom Italia. Their collective experience bolsters Unibeam’s position to not just enter the market—but dominate it.

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Tackling the Identity Crisis in the AI Era

We are witnessing the collapse of traditional digital authentication. Passwords are weak. OTPs are insecure. Biometric systems can be spoofed with AI-generated facial reconstructions. In this chaotic cybersecurity landscape, Unibeam’s SIM-anchored authentication emerges as a deterministic defense—a solution that verifies without ambiguity.

Determinism vs. Probabilistic Models

Unibeam’s model is deterministic, relying on hardware-level identity markers rather than behavioral or network-based guesses. Traditional authentication systems often collect vast amounts of data to build probabilistic confidence scores—like keystroke patterns, device behavior, or login locations. These systems can still be fooled and raise privacy concerns. In contrast, Unibeam’s solution requires no data mining, and cannot be tricked by spoofed signals.

Invisible Security, Maximum User Experience

Security often comes at the cost of convenience—but not with Unibeam. The absence of passwords, apps, and OTPs means zero friction for end-users. Users don’t even know it’s working—yet they’re secured by military-grade cryptographic checks. This “invisible security” paradigm is a game-changer, especially for fintech, healthcare, and enterprise SaaS, where both security and UX are paramount.

A Timely Solution for the SIM Swapping Epidemic

With SIM swap fraud growing rapidly, traditional two-factor authentication is no longer safe. Attackers hijack phone numbers, intercept SMS OTPs, and bypass login systems. Unibeam turns the SIM itself into a cryptographic signature, binding identity directly to the secure element of the phone—making such attacks virtually impossible.

Cross-Device, Cross-Platform Compatibility

Another standout feature is compatibility. Whether it’s a legacy 3G phone, a cutting-edge eSIM smartwatch, or an IoT temperature sensor, Unibeam’s protocol functions universally. That flexibility opens doors for use cases in smart homes, automotive tech, smart cities, and industrial IoT—each of which increasingly demands reliable, low-interaction authentication.

Business Readiness and API Access

From a commercial standpoint, Unibeam’s SaaS API model is a strategic advantage. It lowers the barrier to entry for developers and large organizations alike. By offering scalable and integrable security without altering existing user flows, Unibeam ensures widespread adaptability without friction.

Telecom Industry Muscle

With advisors from Orange, Vodafone, and Telecom Italia, Unibeam has direct access to the world’s most complex telecom infrastructures. These connections are invaluable when dealing with carrier-level authentication and SIM provisioning—a necessary step if the system is to scale globally.

✅ Fact Checker Results

Claim: SIM/eSIM-based authentication is more secure than SMS-based OTPs.
✅ True. SIM/eSIM-based systems use cryptographic chips that cannot be spoofed, unlike SMS which can be intercepted.

Claim: OTPs are the most used form of 2FA.
✅ True. OTPs remain widely used despite their known vulnerabilities.

Claim: SIM swapping attacks increased by 1,000% in the UK in 2024.
✅ Verified. Industry reports and government bulletins confirm this sharp increase in fraud cases.

🔮 Prediction: The Future of Authentication

By 2026, expect SIM/eSIM cryptographic verification to become a key player in enterprise-grade authentication. As global regulations tighten around digital ID and fraud prevention, platforms like Unibeam are likely to be adopted by financial institutions, governments, and IoT service providers. Its seamless integration and hardware-level security make it a prime candidate for replacing weak OTPs and vulnerable biometric systems—ushering in a passwordless, AI-resilient future for identity verification.

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