Why a16z, Lightspeed bet on this Singapore parent-tech startup

As a parent of two, Kieran Donovan understands the headache of untangling parental controls on every new online game. From restricting chats, filtering out inappropriate language, to disabling in-app purchases – redoing these steps can be troublesome and tedious. 

The problem was convincing enough for Donovan to quit his law firm in October 2022 to build Singapore- and US-based k-ID, which aims to make it easier and safer for parents and kids to configure age-appropriate settings in multiplayer games.

Photo credit: k-ID

Launched in March 2024, k-ID has raised close to US$51 million, including a recent US$45m series A round led by high-profile investors a16z and Lightspeed Venture Partners.

The startup’s platform enables parents to scan a QR code and adjust the in-game features accessible to their children. Once set up, “parents can use the same credential to validate their child’s entry into different games from different publishers,” Donovan, who is co-founder and CEO at k-ID, tells Tech in Asia in a recent interview.

However, this model hinges significantly on the participation of game developers and publishers. Thus, what incentives would prompt them to join k-ID?

Compliance is costly and painful

In a 2022 report commissioned by the Global Cybersecurity Forum, researchers found that 72% of children around the world have experienced at least one type of cyberthreat online – targeted ads, bullying or harassment, or even sexual approaches from strangers.

To prevent this, game developers offer options for parents to protect their kids in online games. However, parents need to set this up in each game.

k-ID co-founder and CEO Kieran Donovan/ Photo credit: k-ID

Donovan believes that his firm’s single sign-on solution is simpler and more effective than most current settings, as it doesn’t force children to confirm (or in some cases, lie) about their age and it works across different games. 

Beyond parental controls, complying with a patchwork of global privacy and safety regulations also burdens many game studios.

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For game developers and publishers, k-ID could help ensure global compliance and thereby avoid hefty fines, according to the co-founder. The startup maintains a compliance database of over 200 countries and hires experts and advisors that work directly with regulators or game industry groups around the world. 

Building the same orbit

“Old-school” tech but massive investor interest