#StartupsEverywhere Profile: Thomas Dawson, Co-Founder & CEO, Pruve Systems
This profile is part of #StartupsEverywhere, an ongoing series highlighting startup leaders in ecosystems across the country. This interview has been edited for length, content, and clarity.
Developing the Next Frontier of Technology in Identity and Access Management
Based in Washington, D.C., Pruve Systems is leveraging a variety of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, to develop workflow systems that are easy, inclusive, and completely secure. Co-Founder and CEO Thomas Dawson, spoke to us about what led to the founding of Pruve, how it’s important to be inclusive in the development of new technologies, and why policymakers should reframe how we think about the development of tech talent.
Tell us about your background. What led you to Pruve Systems?
I am a lawyer, healthcare analyst, and forensic economist who specializes in the development of pricing models for medical services. I became an entrepreneur following a stint as a Capitol Hill Committee staffer. I first met Kawal Arora, who would become my partner and the CTO of Pruve Systems, in Boston where we began exploring ideas about artificial intelligence (AI), data capture, and analytics. Our conversations quickly turned into discussions about deep machine learning and how AI and blockchain could be used to create social and economic fairness in the virtual world. These early conversations about identity and access became the catalyst for Pruve Systems' birth. The germ of our ideas started with the simple question: "Can we help create a new universe where all people are counted? Every person’s identity should be their own whether online or offline." This belief led to the path that Pruve is on today.
What is the work you all are doing at Pruve Systems?
We are in the business of identity and access management. The suite of tools that we have—and continue to roll out—are designed to address the pain points of needing additional personnel resources just to complete rote identity verification tasks. Our systems bring together artificial intelligence, blockchain, and inclusive biometric technologies in order to create secure ways to engage in business online. I want to emphasize the inclusive part of our biometric systems because so much identity-based technology is not built to be able to identify all peoples. We took the time with the development of Pruve to ensure that we get that right from the start and are proud to say we have a 99.5 percent accuracy rate with our identity-based verification tools.
One example of what we offer is our e-signature software. This tool enables users to use our platform to confirm that the correct signatory is actually signing the form in real-time. The system uses photo ID verification, as well as live, video facial recognition in order to make the process fully secure and confirmable. On top of that, we never control the identity information. That data is stored on the blockchain and remains in the user’s control.
The applications for these technologies are so wide-ranging. Whether it’s conducting verified financial transactions or completing verified human resources onboarding processes, our systems can enable all kinds of organizations to conduct secure operations with easy workflows.
Pruve is built using a number of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and the blockchain. What do you think policymakers need to keep in mind as more systems using these technologies come to market and attract the attention of regulators?
Artificial intelligence and biometrics are the next big things in cybersecurity. They are proving to be a powerful combination for a more secure future. While blockchain is an excellent solution for cybersecurity, AI and biometrics provide a better authentication mechanism. The combination of these technologies will improve security, trust, and efficiency, and it is the basis of our technology. This is a game-changer for the security industry, and it's only the beginning. With more applications being made available, the combination will only get stronger and better. As stronger cybersecurity solutions like Pruve Systems come forward, regulators should be proactive about engaging with platforms like Pruve to understand how they can be leveraged to protect private data.
We have seen new privacy laws emerge in a number of different states over the years creating somewhat of a regulatory patchwork across the country. Your platform deals with a lot of sensitive, personal information. How have you all navigated this area and what do you think policymakers can do better to support both privacy safeguards and innovative startups?
In order to maintain a high level of security, Pruve Systems, which thinks of itself as a security-first platform, has engaged in the federal government FedRAMP certification process. FedRAMP requires companies like Pruve Systems, engaged in business with the government, to implement controls in several areas focusing on confidentiality and integrity. The highest level of security, or moderate impact, applies to systems that store personal identifiable information (PII), but do not store any other data. Moreover, our system is backed up regularly and securely to prevent the loss of any PII. While the certification process is not an easy one, we believe it is the best way to ensure that PII is protected. One thing we believe policymakers can do is to offer grants to startups with innovative technology to successfully move through the FedRAMP process. Education about the value of the certification and dollars specific to startups is the key.
Are there any local, state, or federal startup issues that you think should receive more attention from policymakers?
As a technology ecosystem, we have to stop just looking at universities like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to train students in the development of new technologies like artificial intelligence or blockchain. We are creating our own brain strain because we are not training enough new innovators through our own education pipeline, nor are we keeping the talent that we are training in our universities. We can solve this problem if we encourage public and private policies that cast a wide net and train kids that are never thought of as the next generation of inventors and coders.
What are your goals for Pruve Systems moving forward?
Pruve Systems has positioned itself to be the leader in identity and access management. Our goal is for our all-in-one AI-based platform to set the standard for cybersecurity and remote identity verification. This includes obtaining remote signatures, running background checks, and onboarding new employees. We believe that the creation of new technologies using artificial intelligence, biometrics, and blockchain technology can level the economic playing field and improve how all people do business online.
All of the information in this profile was accurate at the date and time of publication.
Engine works to ensure that policymakers look for insight from the startup ecosystem when they are considering programs and legislation that affect entrepreneurs. Together, our voice is louder and more effective. Many of our lawmakers do not have first-hand experience with the country's thriving startup ecosystem, so it’s our job to amplify that perspective. To nominate a person, company, or organization to be featured in our #StartupsEverywhere series, email ian@engine.is.
