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Paris, January 16, 2025
- C.S.T, internationally renowned for its breakthrough technology in securing identity documents, reaches a major milestone in its development with the arrival of a new investor.
- This operation ensures C.S.T an entirely French shareholding structure, preserving and reinforcing a unique and strategic expertise.
- C.S.T will leverage C4 Industries’ entrepreneurial platform to accelerate its industrialization and international expansion.
Crime Science Technology, a key player in identity document security, announces the arrival of C4 Industries as an anchor investor.
Today, C.S.T reaches a new milestone in its development. C4 Industries, anchor investor in several companies and a cornerstone of the C4 entrepreneurial platform founded by Pascal Cagni – business leader, GM of Apple EMEIA (2000-2012), hired by Steve Jobs – becomes C.S.T’s anchor investor. Through this participation, the aim is to accelerate the deployment of C.S.T’s solutions in France and internationally, leveraging its technological edge.
This partnership will enable C.S.T to benefit from C4’s entrepreneurial platform expertise, supported by its operational team and pool of Operating Partners. This operation marks the exit from the capital of Covestro – a global leader in high-tech polymers and a DAX-listed company. Covestro played a crucial role in supporting C.S.T’s industrialization, and both companies will continue collaborating to produce and market secure plastics for identity documents, providing C.S.T with recurring revenue. This milestone also represents the exit of the Hauts-de-France Region funds, a long-standing partner whose commitment since C.S.T.’s inception has been a determining factor in its early development.
Founded by Cosimo Prete – a Lille-based entrepreneur and former forensic science expert in document fraud – C.S.T has developed ID security features acknowledged both in France and internationally. In 2023, the company received the French Tech International Business Award and the Grand Jury Award from CCI France International under the high patronage of the French President, Emmanuel Macron.
C.S.T’s success is underpinned by the development of breakthrough technology designed to secure identity documents by allowing to visually distinguish, within seconds and without prior training, an authentic document from a counterfeit one. The core of this technology lies in the integration of molecules that change color depending on the angle and observation conditions. Known as O.V.M (Optical Variable Material), this technology is patented in some 30 countries and approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO – the UN regulatory body for identity document standards) and FRONTEX (the European Border and Coast Guard Agency). Its complexity and innovative nature make it highly resistant to counterfeiting. Meeting the needs of industry players, governments, and international institutions, the solution is easy to verify, intuitive, and di\icult to forge.
C.S.T’s patented technology is becoming an international standard: over 500 million citizens have access to it across fifteen countries worldwide, where it secures their identity cards, passports and driving licences. Renowned for their reliability, documents featuring this innovation have received awards in several countries, including Germany (2021), Australia and Turkey (2023), and Latvia (2024).
In parallel, C.S.T continues its development in the market for product and consumer good authentication and traceability. Its strategic partnership with Philaposte (The French Post group – La Poste Groupe) allows the application of C.S.T’s technology to multiple use cases: tax stamps, tobacco labels, alcohol, and luxury goods.
C4 Industries, now anchor investor in C.S.T, brings its expertise from over 50 investments in technology startups – nine of which have become unicorns – and heritage preservation companies. This partnership strengthens C.S.T’s governance, enabling it to accelerate the deployment of its solutions across various markets.
Cosimo Prete, President and Founder of C.S.T:
“I am honored to welcome C4 Industries as the anchor investor in the company and to begin a new chapter in our development. Alongside my partners, Jérôme Comar and Gautier Alloyez, and our dedicated teams, we have established an innovative company renowned for its expertise in the challenging market of identity document security. This partnership with C4 Industries is rooted in strong shared values: the pursuit of innovation and excellence in service of the common good. We are determined to continue this journey, accelerating the deployment of our solutions both in France and internationally, while continuing to promote French expertise and French Tech.”
Pascal Cagni, President of C4 Industries:
“At C4 Industries, we are committed to supporting exceptional entrepreneurs who are driving innovative and high-potential projects. C.S.T is a true French ‘success story’, already recognized internationally. Its unique technology stands out in a critical market – identity document security. C.S.T embodies the excellence we aim to support, and we are excited to accompany them on their journey to help accelerate their growth on the global stage.”
About C.S.T – Crime Science Technology
Founded by Cosimo Prete – a Lille-based entrepreneur and former forensic science expert – Crime Science Technology (C.S.T) o\ers disruptive technologies to governments and major industries to secure identity documents. Its technology, patented in some 30 countries and recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and FRONTEX, features unique color-changing properties depending on angle and observation conditions, ensuring optimal protection for o\icial documents. Today, over 500 million citizens have access to it in fifteen countries worldwide, where it secures their identity cards, passports and driving licences. In parallel, C.S.T markets innovative technologies for fingerprint development, which are used by the French forensic experts, the FBI, and Scotland Yard.
