Fragrance tech startup Patina announced it has raised $2 million in funding from investors including Betaworks and True Ventures. The company is focusing on creating new fragrance molecules using advanced molecular design, machine learning, and scent research technologies. Currently, most scent molecules used in consumer goods are produced by a handful of laboratories, and Patina aims to fundamentally transform this industry, which has not seen innovation in half a century. This is according to Techcrunch.com reports.
The company was founded by Sean Raspet and Laura Sisson. Raspet is a perfumer interested in human sensory organs, while Sisson is an expert from the fields of food and software engineering. They met at a scent art gallery in New York in 2024 and soon began developing a foundational model called Sense1, which allows for understanding scents at a biological level. This model simulates odor receptors in the nose and serves to create the first universal code for scent and taste.
Currently, researchers use vague terms like "floral" or "woody" to describe scents, which causes misunderstandings across different languages and regions. By working at the receptor level, Patina has the ability to create molecules that have never existed before and recreate the world's rarest natural ingredients. The startup is already in negotiations with major perfume houses and fashion brands to create custom scents.
At a time when producing natural ingredients, such as rose oil, is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive, the synthetic alternatives offered by Patina could be a solution. These molecules do not require plant extracts and consume significantly less water and petrochemical products during the production process. This reduces environmental impact and ensures sustainability.
AI technology has made the process of creating scents cheaper and faster. A process that previously took years is now being accomplished in a few weeks. Small companies like Patina aim to protect intellectual property and help perfumers create their own unique styles. Competition is intensifying in this field with startups like Osmo and giants like Givaudan and Symrise.
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