Alcatraz

Alcatraz AI offers an access control system, Alcatraz Rock, that uses computer vision, AI, and 3D sensing to allow frictionless entry into physical locations. The company was founded by a team of former employees from Apple and Nvidia, led by former Apple Engineer Vince Gaydarzhiev. According to the company’s CEO, Alcatraz is the industry’s first one-factor authentication system capable of multi-person, in-the-flow sensing. This technique allows many people to walk in without interruption for access control while checking for tailgating. The users are not required to face or be very close to the reader. The real-time 3D facial mapping feature also avoids spoofing using photographs, videos, or masks. In February 2021, the company introduced three-factor authentication where the Alcatraz Rock platform is used in conjunction with two other authentication methods, such as a badge reader and a personal identification (PIN) reader. Alternatively, in a one-factor authentication system, Alcatraz Rock will be the primary access control device, whereas, in a two-factor authentication system, Alcatraz Rock will be used with a badge reader.

Unlike other software based on APIs and SDKs which need further development, Alcatraz’s facial recognition system can be deployed off the shelf. Alcatraz AI’s target market includes high-tech companies, healthcare, governments, and banks.

Key customers and partnerships

The company has partnered with several organizations that use/trial its product, including Google, SAP, BrainBox AI, and multiple police departments in the San Francisco Bay area. In October 2020, the company partnered with New York Security Solutions Inc. (developer of security solutions) to expand the market for Alcatraz Rock platform to the East Coast area. In addition, several security service providers, such as Johnson Controls, Axis Communications, PSA Security Network, SAGE Integration, TRL Systems, and Netronix have integrated the Alcatraz platform into their product offerings. In August 2021, the company partnered with Switched On Space, a provider of technology solutions for smart buildings based in the UK, to introduce Alcatraz AI’s autonomous access control to international markets. With this partnership, Alcatraz AI expects to achieve a broader customer base in the UK and European markets by utilizing Switched On Space’s existing customer base in these markets. In November 2022, the company announced its expansion into the European and Middle Eastern markets establishing new offices in these regions.

Funding and financials

In September 2022 Alcatraz raised USD 25 million in a Series A round led by Almaz Capital, to be used to accelerate global expansion and product innovation targeting a variety of use cases for access control.