Gints Grāķis (Handwave)

Overview

Gints Grāķis, associated with Handwave, is a prominent figure in the field of biometrics and financial technology. As of 2025, Handwave stands as a pioneering startup in Europe, specializing in palm-based biometric payment and identification solutions. Based in Riga, Latvia, Handwave aims to revolutionize how personal authentication and transactions are conducted by offering a technology that combines both surface and subdermal vein imaging to create a unique, secure ID. This innovative approach sets Handwave apart from other biometric solutions by ensuring enhanced privacy and security.

Recent Developments

In the past couple of years, Handwave has made significant strides in the biometric payment sector. Here are some notable developments:

August 2025: Handwave raised €3.6 million in Seed funding to expand its palm-based technology in Europe and the US. This funding round is a testament to the growing confidence in Handwave’s innovative solutions.
- Source
August 2025: The startup announced a $4.2 million seed funding round led by Practica Capital. This funding aims to support further product development, regulatory certifications, and live retail pilots.
- Source
July 2025: Described as an "alternative to Amazon's palm payments," Handwave received positive attention from TechCrunch for offering a competitive and independent solution for palm-based transactions in Europe.
- Source

Personal Information

Attribute	Information
Full Name	Gints Grāķis
Nationality	Latvian
Occupation	CEO, Entrepreneur
Known For	Handwave, biometric technology

Early Life and Education

There is limited publicly available information regarding Gints Grāķis’ early life and educational background. As a pioneering entrepreneur in the biometrics field, Grāķis has likely built his expertise through extensive experience in technology and innovation. Details on his formative years and the influences that led him to focus on biometric solutions remain undisclosed.

Career and Notable Achievements

Gints Grāķis has emerged as an influential figure in the biometrics and fintech industries through his leadership at Handwave. The startup, founded in 2021, quickly made a name for itself by introducing advanced biometric solutions for payments and identity verification. Handwave’s technology:

Allows users to authenticate and complete transactions using palm scans.
Offers a secure, efficient alternative to traditional payment methods.
Has gained a stronghold in the European market, with plans for expansion into the US. Grāķis’ achievements are marked by the seamless integration of technology and consumer needs, establishing Handwave as a leader in privacy-first biometric solutions.

Current Work and Impact

As of 2025, Gints Grāķis continues to lead Handwave in its mission to revolutionize the biometric sector. His work ensures that Handwave remains at the forefront of technological advancements, addressing key challenges such as privacy, security, and user-friendliness in biometrics. The company's partnerships and ongoing product development underscore Grāķis’ commitment to shaping the future of transactions and personal identification.

Conclusion

Gints Grāķis’ role in the biometrics sector, particularly through his work with Handwave, illustrates the potential for biometric technologies to transform everyday transactions. As Handwave expands its footprint across Europe and the US, its impact on reducing transaction times and enhancing security continues to grow. Grāķis' efforts not only signify technological progress but also highlight a shift towards more secure, convenient, and privacy-conscious solutions in personal and financial verification. His leadership in overcoming the challenges of biometric authentication positions him as a key influencer in the industry’s evolution.