Digital identity startup PlaySafe ID has secured $1.12 million (€1 million) in pre-seed funding to expand its anti-cheat platform designed for the gaming industry. The round was led by Early Game Ventures, with participation from Hartmann Capital and Overwolf, and will support the company’s rapid scaling efforts as it aims to onboard more than 250,000 users in the near term.
PlaySafe ID offers a privacy-centric digital ID system that verifies gamers’ identities without compromising their anonymity. The technology addresses major pain points in the gaming world, such as cheating, bot abuse, and predatory behavior, while aligning with new regulatory mandates like the UK’s Online Safety Act.
By creating a single, secure digital identity that can be used across games and platforms, PlaySafe ID allows developers to foster safe, transparent, and trustworthy communities. Its platform ensures users are real and have not previously engaged in misconduct, creating an online environment where fairness and child protection can coexist with creative gameplay.
The new funding will be directed toward expanding the company’s team, accelerating product integration with game developers, and executing an aggressive go-to-market strategy.
CEO Andrew Wailes emphasized the urgency of their mission, stating, “Cheating in games is a daily epidemic. With the Online Safety Act now in force, protecting children and ensuring fair play is not just ethical—it’s legally necessary. PlaySafe ID delivers a critical compliance tool for the future of gaming.”
Backing the startup, Early Game Ventures’ Cristian Munteanu described PlaySafe ID as “the trust layer for gaming,” while Hartmann Capital’s Felix Hartmann compared it to a digital judicial system for a virtual world in dire need of governance and accountability.