The Slovenian company Netis is one of six companies worldwide that signed a contract with the US government at the end of June for co-financing the development of privacy-preserving technologies for the use and sharing of travel and immigration documents. In the first of four phases, Netis received just under 200 thousand dollars. The remaining amount, totaling 1.7 million dollars, will be gradually transferred by the US government over the next two years, provided they meet the goals required to advance to the next phase.The first phase focuses on proof of concept, while the subsequent phases involve developing a prototype and conducting a pilot test in an operational environment. “We want to reach the end, as this is an important opportunity and a testament to our work so far,” said Sebastjan Pirih, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Netis.
Supporting the Development of Components for Digital Credentials
The call for proposals that Netis applied to was published by the Directorate for Science and Technology at the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This call is part of the SVIP (Silicon Valley Innovation Program), through which the DHS collaborates with startups to address specific challenges faced by various government agencies, such as the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These agencies check a vast number of people daily and aim to accelerate their processes through the digitization of procedures.
This particular call focused on developing components for the digitization of credentials based on open W3C and VCDM standards. The challenges specified included two areas: the enhancement of digital wallets and the development of components for verifiers—organizations that verify the authenticity of digital proofs. “Each company had to present its past achievements, justify its vision, and showcase the technology already developed in this field,” explained Pirih.
Sebastjan Pirih at the Netis booth during SVIP Demo Week.
Verification of Digital Documents with Mobile Phones
Netis submitted the MIDVA solution in the tender, using components from their MyNextID platform, designed to digitalize and verify credentials. It serves both companies that digitalize proofs (certificates, attestations, diplomas) and those that verify them. The key feature is the digital wallet for end users, where various documents are securely stored.
As part of the collaboration with DHS, they will develop a component for verifiers. The practical goal is to enable inspectors at border crossings to use a mobile phone or other device to check users’ documents presented through their digital wallet.
Privacy and Security Are Essential
“Our solution consists of two parts. The first is a platform that allows the DHS and their offices to easily authorize employees to verify specific documents and monitor the verification process. The second is a digital wallet with special features for authorized personnel conducting document verification,” said Alen Horvat, Technical Director at Netis. He explained that ensuring security and privacy is crucial in this process. “This means selectively displaying and verifying data—only what someone is authorized to see—and ensuring interoperability so that various documents from different countries can be verified with a single application.”
Alen Horvat, the technical director of Netis, presenting the MIDVA solution at SVIP Demo Week.
The MIDVA platform will be used to verify the documents of citizens, visitors, and immigrants. Horvat gives an example: a traveler in the USA would have travel documents, such as ESTA, stored in their digital wallet, and an inspector would be authorized to verify these documents. Identifying the individual and verifying the document’s validity would only require scanning a QR code, without revealing other information. “The possibilities for further use are enormous, as it allows authorized employees to verify any appropriately structured digital document via mobile devices simply by scanning a QR code,” said Horvat.
End-goal: Commercialization and Acquisition
Is there a likelihood that they will use Netis’ solution? “Yes, co-financing means that there is a high probability that they will actually use our platform,” confirmed Tomislav Mučić, CEO of Netis. “The program is designed so that we regularly communicate with the DHS, allowing us to continuously check how effective we are in solving challenges. The mutual goal is to develop a solution to the point that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security purchases it for its own needs,” he added, explaining that DHS also connects them with other stakeholders who have similar needs.
Tomislav Mučić, the director of Netis d.o.o.
Netis had known for some time that DHS was testing these technologies, as the first call for applications was conducted back in 2018. “We did not apply at that time, but this time around, we were aware of our progress and relevance, and therefore understood we had realistic chances of being accepted into the program,” Pirih explained. In the first phase of the process, they had to prepare extensive documentation, including a description of the technical solution, various financial documents, and a project timeline. After successfully completing this phase, they were invited for an interview to present their solution to representatives of DHS and their agencies. The official contract was signed a few months after they received notification that they had been selected.
Visiting the USA: First Trip in June, Second in Fall
This June, they made their first visit to the USA, where they participated in the SVIP Demo Week in Washington. At the event, companies selected from previous years’ calls and this year’s selectees presented together. “It was interesting and beneficial to personally communicate with representatives of the U.S. government and representatives of large technology companies like Microsoft. The discussions were direct and relaxed, and the visitors genuinely spoke about the challenges, needs, and expectations regarding our solutions. Such feedback is very valuable for further development,” said Pirih.
They are now in weekly contact with DHS representatives and are expected to meet in person again in the fall. “Our goal is to achieve all key success indicators by then to ensure the possibility of moving to the next phase,” said Pirih. They are also considering potential collaboration with a company developing hardware under the SVIP program, into which Netis’ software could be integrated. “This would allow us to cover all identity verification scenarios, either through personal inspection by inspectors or through physical devices.”
Support That Will Increase Global Confidence
“Being selected for the SVIP program is an outstanding reference, as only three European companies have managed to get in,” said Mučić. Netis has been active in the field of decentralized technologies since 2018, working closely with the European Commission and participating in various standardization committees.
According to Mučić, confidence in new technologies often begins with public sector support, as companies wait for a signal or approval from the government before starting their own implementation. “Recognition from such an influential country as the USA is therefore an extremely important signal to other countries and organizations,” said Mučić, who believes this reference is crucial for Netis’ position in the global market, and “especially because it builds trust in the field of solutions we are developing.”
This article was originally published in the renowned Slovenian magazine Časnik Finance and translated by our team to make it available for our international readers.