How Ava Risk’s BQT Plans to Revolutionize Mobile Access with UniKey Deal
Ava Risk Group’s BQT Solutions has inked a five-year supply and co-development agreement with US-based UniKey Technologies, targeting the booming mobile credential access market with new NFC/BLE readers.
- Five-year Master Supply and Services Agreement with UniKey Technologies
- Co-development of five new NFC/BLE access control reader form factors
- Minimum purchase commitments expected to generate US$3 million revenue
- Exclusive North American supply rights and global distribution outside North America
- Launch planned for H2 FY2026 with strong market growth potential
Strategic Partnership with UniKey Technologies
Ava Risk Group Limited (ASX – AVA) has announced a significant milestone for its Access Control division, BQT Solutions, by signing a five-year Master Supply and Services Agreement with UniKey Technologies, a leading US mobile credential and smart-access technology company. This partnership marks a strategic leap for BQT, positioning it as a key hardware partner in the rapidly evolving mobile access control market.
The agreement centers on the co-development of a new range of NFC and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) access control readers, designed to support advanced mobile credential technologies including DESFire EV3, Apple Wallet, and Google Wallet. The collaboration will see BQT leverage its industrial design and manufacturing expertise alongside UniKey’s firmware and mobile credential know-how.
Revenue Visibility and Market Expansion
Under the contract, UniKey has committed to minimum purchases over five years, expected to generate approximately US$3 million (A$4.6 million) in revenue for BQT. This provides a predictable revenue stream and strong visibility of future manufacturing volumes, a notable advantage in an industry often subject to fluctuating demand.
Importantly, BQT secures exclusive supply rights for the co-developed readers in the North American market, a region forecasted to experience over 20% annual growth in mobile and wallet-based credential adoption. Outside North America, BQT retains global distribution rights, enabling the company to expand its footprint internationally under its own brand.
Addressing a Fast-Growing Market Segment
The mobile-first access control segment is one of the fastest-growing areas within global security, driven by enterprises and governments migrating from legacy 125kHz technologies to more secure and convenient mobile credential solutions. The new reader range aims to meet this demand with advanced security features such as AES-256 encryption and support for secure communication protocols.
Neville Joyce, CFO and Acting CEO of Ava Risk Group, described the deal as transformational, highlighting the strong margins, recurring revenue potential, and the establishment of a next-generation product platform. The engineering phase is already underway, with a product launch anticipated at the ISC West Trade Show in March 2026.
Looking Ahead
This agreement not only strengthens Ava Risk Group’s position in the access control market but also aligns with broader industry trends favoring mobile and contactless security solutions. The success of the co-developed readers and their market adoption will be critical to unlocking the full potential of this partnership.
Bottom Line?
With a solid five-year contract and exclusive North American rights, Ava Risk’s BQT is poised to capitalize on the mobile access control revolution.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the co-developed readers meet performance and market expectations upon launch?
- How will competitors respond to BQT’s expanded product portfolio and exclusive North American supply position?
- What are the risks if mobile credential adoption rates slow or technology standards evolve unexpectedly?
