AccessGrid, a startup founded by Auston Bunsen, has raised $4.4 million in seed funding to make smartphones work as digital key fobs. The company is based in Miami and builds software that allows organizations to issue and manage digital access credentials through Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. The funding round was led by Blumberg Capital with participation from Builders VC, CEAS Investments, and several angel investors.
Bunsen, who earlier co-founded QuickNode, launched AccessGrid to update how physical access systems function in offices, campuses, and other secured spaces. The idea is to replace plastic cards and physical fobs with phone-based credentials that connect directly to existing access-reader systems. The platform gives companies a way to manage and control access through mobile devices rather than hardware cards.
“I eventually met with some folks at Apple, and they decided to make a bet that I could help further their goals to enable every company to bring the power of Apple Wallet to their door,” said Bunsen.
Turning Phones into Secure Entry Tools
AccessGrid’s technology lets a smartphone or smartwatch act as a key for door entry. Once a digital credential is issued, it can be stored in the mobile wallet and used with a simple tap on a door reader. The system works even if the phone is locked or offline, providing uninterrupted access for users.
The company has designed its platform to connect with the infrastructure that many organizations already use. Rather than asking customers to replace their readers, AccessGrid links to them through software interfaces and secure cloud connections. This setup allows quick adoption without major changes to physical hardware.
Administrators can issue, revoke, or update digital credentials instantly through a central dashboard. When an employee leaves, access can be withdrawn without collecting a badge or key card. If a device is lost, the credential can be removed remotely and replaced within minutes.
AccessGrid supports both Apple and Google wallet credentials as well as wearables. The system uses encryption and secure communication standards to prevent cloning or unauthorized use. Each credential is tied to the individual’s verified identity, and every access event can be logged in real time for security monitoring.
This structure simplifies access control for organizations that manage multiple buildings or large workforces. It removes the need for physical card management and reduces delays that come with reprogramming hardware.
Replacing Outdated Card Systems
Bunsen founded AccessGrid after seeing that access control systems had not kept pace with modern digital tools. Many companies still rely on local servers, physical cards, and proprietary software that cannot integrate with identity platforms or cloud management systems.
AccessGrid provides a cloud layer that connects physical access points to identity providers such as Okta and Microsoft Entra. Through this setup, companies can automate the process of giving and removing access rights. The connection between identity and access ensures that permissions change automatically when employees are onboarded or leave.
The platform uses a software interface rather than a hardware replacement model. Credentials are created digitally and can be sent to users by secure link. When added to a mobile wallet, the credential becomes active immediately. This removes delays associated with printing, shipping, and distributing badges.
AccessGrid’s system uses NFC, the same short-range communication standard found in contactless payments. Credentials remain encrypted in the device’s secure element, and only authenticated users can trigger an unlock. Even if a phone is misplaced, the credential is protected by the phone’s biometric and security layers.
The new funding will allow AccessGrid to expand its engineering team, enhance integrations with wallet providers, and improve its software to support larger enterprise clients. The company is also working on compliance features for industries that have stricter access control requirements, such as healthcare, finance, and education.
By focusing on interoperability, AccessGrid gives customers a way to upgrade their systems without large capital costs. Existing readers can remain in use while digital credentials provide the convenience and security of mobile identity systems.
