AccessGrid, a startup making it possible for phones to replace physical key fobs, has raised $4.4 million in seed funding led by Harlem Capital, with participation from Exceptional Capital, Spice Capital, and HF0 Accelerator.
Founded by Auston Bunsen, co-founder of blockchain platform QuickNode, AccessGrid is building APIs that let companies manage digital access credentials directly inside Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.
“We’re helping every company bring the power of Apple Wallet to their doors,” said Auston Bunsen, CEO and founder of AccessGrid. “It works even when your phone is locked, or in the case of iPhone, even when it’s dead.”
Reimagining Physical Access for the Digital Age
The access control industry hasn’t changed much since the 1990s — most systems still rely on on-premises servers, outdated keycards, and unencrypted connections that are vulnerable to hacks. AccessGrid aims to replace this legacy infrastructure with a cloud-based, API-first solution that issues encrypted, uncloneable digital keys.
These credentials can be revoked instantly via the cloud, eliminating the risks and inefficiencies of traditional badge systems.
“We’re bringing physical security systems up to 2025 standards,” Bunsen said. “Our platform replaces static ID cards with encrypted, instantly manageable credentials.”
AccessGrid uses dual-layer, military-grade encryption and multi-factor authentication across all systems. “Security is foundational for us — not a feature,” Bunsen added.
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A Developer Platform for Access, Not Another App
Unlike competitors such as SwiftConnect and Sharry, AccessGrid isn’t building a middleware product or a consumer-facing app. It’s a pure-play developer platform, allowing property tech companies, enterprises, and automakers to embed digital key access directly into their products.
“We don’t sell service contracts or retrofit hardware,” Bunsen explained. “We’re API-only — purpose-built for developers who want to make access smarter and more secure.”
From QuickNode to Keyless Access
After scaling QuickNode — which raised over $60 million and became one of the leading Web3 infrastructure providers — Bunsen left the company in late 2024. During a meeting with Apple, he saw the potential for digital keys to become a universal standard, enabling phones to unlock everything from office doors to cars.
AccessGrid officially launched in April 2025, and the company plans to use its new funding to strengthen security, launch new products, and expand into automotive integrations.
“Our vision is a world where everything you need a key for — your home, office, or car — unlocks automatically because you’re nearby,” Bunsen said. “You’ll never lose your key again, because it’s always with you.”
About AccessGrid
AccessGrid is a developer platform that turns smartphones into secure digital keys. Its APIs enable businesses to issue and manage encrypted, cloud-controlled access credentials via Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, bringing modern, frictionless access control to buildings, devices, and vehicles.
