Prime Highlights
- Badge secured $17.1 million in funding, showing strong investor confidence in the future of digital wallets.
- The company aims to turn digital wallets into interactive platforms for tickets, loyalty programs, and customer engagement.
Key Facts
- The funding includes a $13.8 million Series A round led by TTV Capital, with participation from Stripe and other investors.
- Founded in 2023, Badge focuses on helping businesses connect with users through widely used wallet platforms like Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.
Background:
Digital wallet startup Badge has raised $17.1 million to develop new mobile wallet features as businesses look beyond apps to reach customers. The funding includes a $13.8 million Series A round led by TTV Capital, with support from Stripe, Synchrony Ventures, and Infinity Ventures.
Founded in 2023 by CEO Eric Senn, Badge plans to turn digital wallets into more useful platforms where users can access tickets, loyalty programs, memberships, and more. The company also previously raised $3.3 million in a seed round backed by QED Investors and Infinity Ventures.
Senn said digital wallets are becoming a key layer within smartphone ecosystems rather than just a built-in feature. He highlighted new features like tickets that let users order food, view maps, and interact with brands. Platforms such as Apple Wallet and Google Wallet are already widely used, giving businesses an easy, built-in way to reach customers.
According to Senn, digital wallets provide guaranteed reach because they come preloaded on devices, making them more effective than asking users to download separate apps. He added that many consumers are experiencing app fatigue, which creates an opportunity for lighter and more seamless engagement through wallets.
However, Badge also acknowledges the risks tied to overuse. The company is working to build safeguards that prevent wallets from becoming overcrowded with unwanted content, similar to email or SMS spam.
As digital payments grow, Badge believes wallets will become a key way for businesses to connect with users. Senn said this change could be so big that future generations may not use physical wallets, changing how people handle money and identity.
