#London #United Kingdom #Sumsub #WEF #AI Fraud

Sumsub Joins World Economic Forum Unicorn Community

On January 12, 2026, Sumsub, a prominent name in identity verification and fraud prevention, announced its participation in the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Unicorn Community. This exclusive program unites high-growth private companies valued over $1 billion who are at the forefront of digital economy innovations. The announcement was made by Andrew Sever, Sumsub's Co-founder and CEO, who is set to present at the upcoming WEF Annual Meeting in Davos.

This inclusion comes at a critical juncture as identity fraud is becoming increasingly sophisticated. The Sumsub Identity Fraud Report 2025-2026 highlights a staggering 180% increase in sophisticated fraud incidents year-over-year. The data reveals that multi-step attacks are rising sharply, from 10% in 2024 to an astonishing 28% in 2025 within the realm of identity fraud. The need for continuous, real-time protection during the entire customer lifecycle is becoming imperative, rendering one-time checks ineffective.

With over 4,000 clients globally and millions of identity verifications conducted each year, Sumsub brings rich practical experience to the WEF community. At the 2026 Annual Meeting, the company will prioritize three key areas: combating AI-enhanced fraud at scale, advancing digital inclusion through smarter verification techniques, and pioneering next-generation AI anti-fraud solutions via international collaboration.

Combatting Complex AI-Driven Threats

As fraud tactics evolve, Sumsub is determined to counter increasingly complex AI-driven threats, such as deepfakes and synthetic identities. The company implements end-to-end monitoring across the user journey, establishing defenses against AI fraudsters who can execute large-scale, coordinated attacks with minimal human intervention.

Promoting Digital Inclusion

In its commitment to digital inclusion, Sumsub addresses significant barriers that often prevent legitimate users from accessing the digital economy. By offering Non-Document Verification and a Reusable Identity suite, Sumsub facilitates secure onboarding in regions prone to document fraud or low-quality identification, empowering users worldwide while ensuring compliance and security. The company actively raises awareness about digital exclusion's risks to sustainable economic growth through initiatives like Greenflag, which is part of the UN SDG Leaders Programme.

Collaborating for Future-Proofing Against AI Fraud

Recognizing the urgency of emerging threats such as deepfakes, Sumsub is exploring long-term solutions. The company launched an AI Academic Program in 2025, collaborating with leading academic institutions like Nanyang Technological University in Singapore to develop critical technologies, including deepfake detection. Sumsub partners with international organizations, including Interpol, through initiatives like SynthWave to enhance understanding of new fraud types and strengthen cross-border responses to crimes driven by AI.

Andrew Sever remarked, “We are honored to join the World Economic Forum Unicorn Community at a time when trust in our digital environment is facing severe challenges. AI is reshaping the landscape for both fraud and defense, and our commitment remains steadfast in bolstering defenses against such threats while fighting digital exclusion.”

Verena Kuhn, who leads Innovator Communities at the World Economic Forum, expressed enthusiasm in welcoming Sumsub, stating, “Sumsub's innovative work in digital trust, fraud prevention, and inclusion is vital for developing a secure digital economy. We are eager to witness their contributions to our global initiatives.”

In joining the WEF Unicorn Community, Sumsub aims to collaborate with other global leaders in various sectors, including government and business, to shape a more trustworthy, inclusive digital economy.

About the World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum is a renowned organization dedicated to improving the state of the world, engaging influential figures across political, business, and civil spheres to address global, regional, and industry challenges.

About Sumsub

Sumsub is recognized as a leading end-to-end verification platform specializing in fraud prevention and compliance. Its adaptable, no-code approach supports various verification needs, ensuring swift alignment with evolving market trends, risks, and regulatory standards. As an acknowledgment of its performance, Sumsub has received accolades from industry leaders including Gartner, Liminal, and KuppingerCole.