Counterfeiting undermines brand reputation, slashes revenue, and poses serious health risks, especially in pharmaceuticals. Recent cases, like the sale of counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines online, highlight the growing dangers of fake products in today’s digital world. While RFID tags, holograms, and blockchain-based systems are a few solutions brands use to combat counterfeiting, these solutions can be limited by high costs, ease of replication, and vulnerability to tampering.
This calls for a more secure and innovative solution like Distinkt’s nanotechnology-based inks. The startup provides a more robust alternative by offering unique, dynamic identifiers that are nearly impossible to replicate. Unlike traditional methods like QR codes or RFID tags, which can be copied or manipulated, Distinkt’s inks change color under specific light conditions. These inks can be applied to various materials and integrate easily with existing digital tracking solutions.
As a technology scouting firm, we were determined to uncover the science behind Distinkt’s technology and explore its potential impact on controlling counterfeits in various industries.
So, we spoke with Luca Venza, the CEO of Distinkt, to gain valuable insights into how the startup creates a long-lasting, anti-counterfeit Nanotechnology ink using its patented technology.
This interview is part of our exclusive Scouted By GreyB Interview series. Here, we talk with innovative startups in multiple industries and showcase their technologies to the world. (Take a look at other startups scouted by GreyB!)
Author Note: While researching, we found startups creating carbon-neutral inks that increase sustainability in packaging. Click on the link to learn more about them.
Luca Venza, Founder and CEO of Distinkt, has a diverse background in technology transfer and startup acceleration. He is also a Founding Partner at Lotus Partners, S.A.
Venza served on the Advisory Board of Sequentia Biotech, highlighting his expertise in biotech. He also held leadership roles as Director of Technology Transfer at IESE Business School, where he helped launch tech startups. He was also part of the World Economic Forum’s Expert Network, which works on emerging technologies and startups. Luca holds an MBA from IESE, and under his leadership, Distinkt participated in programs like Berkeley SkyDeck.
Want to know more about Distinkt Technology and how it compares to advanced technologies like Blockchain? Watch this exclusive conversation with Luca Venza.
Overview: Distinkt’s anti-counterfeiting solutions save millions for companies with its advanced nanotechnology-based inks
Distinkt is a European startup specializing in anti-counterfeiting solutions for the luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and apparel industries. It is a spin-off from the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2).
The startup creates advanced nanotechnology-based inks that change color under ultraviolet and near-infrared light. These inks can be applied to QR codes, logos, and packaging. It allows brands to embed unique, secure identifiers directly onto physical products to ensure they cannot be faked or tampered with.
Distinkt’s technology also integrates with digital platforms, allowing brands to authenticate their goods in real-time through an app. Complementing blockchain and other tracking solutions, Distinkt provides a highly scalable, eco-friendly solution to one of the biggest challenges in global commerce: counterfeiting.
Short on time?
Here are key highlights from the discussion.
Highlights from the conversation with CEO Luca Venza
Can you explain how Distinkt’s ink technology works and its application?
We at Distinkt create unique, nanotechnology-based inks to print identifiers on physical products that cannot be faked. These inks, which change color under fluorescence, are printed in various forms, such as QR codes, logos, or patterns, offering anti-counterfeiting solutions across different industries.
Our inks are versatile and can be printed onto any material, whether fabric, plastic, or glass. They’re embedded in tags, labels, or directly onto products. When exposed to ultraviolet or near-infrared light, these inks change color, creating a visible fluorescent effect.
For example, you can shine a UV light on a banknote or passport and see a color shift from red to yellow or blue to green. This visible effect, coupled with our app, allows brands and distributors to authenticate products digitally and physically.
How does Distinkt’s solution compare to blockchain and other anti-counterfeiting technologies?
Blockchain is complementary to what we do, but it can’t authenticate physical products. We bridge that gap. Adding our encrypted ink to QR codes or physical markings creates a secure physical link that the blockchain can’t provide. Other anti-counterfeiting solutions, like RFID tags and standard QR codes, are more vulnerable to manipulation. Our ink is much harder to replicate, creating a “lock and key” system that ensures authenticity.
What industries have shown the most interest in your technology so far?
Apparel is a significant focus right now, given the volume of counterfeit goods in that sector. The pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries are also quickly adopting our solutions due to the imminent health risks posed by fake products. High-value luxury goods, like handbags and wine, are other areas where we see strong interest.
What challenges has Distinkt faced in bringing this technology to market?
One of the main challenges is educating industries that aren’t familiar with advanced ink technologies. High-security sectors like money and passports immediately understand the value because they’ve worked with similar inks before. However, consumer industries sometimes lack the technical expertise to fully grasp how our solution is different from standard tags or QR codes.
How do you protect Distinkt’s intellectual property?
While we have patents, we keep many core processes secret, like the Coca-Cola recipe. These trade secrets are crucial, as they protect the unique ways we create our inks. Patents can sometimes force you to show your hand, so we’re careful about what we share publicly.
What’s the next step for Distinkt’s growth?
We want to scale our technology to the point where it’s on every QR code. Our ultimate goal is for consumers to be able to authenticate products themselves, ensuring safety and authenticity across every industry, from pharmaceuticals to apparel.
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Meet our Interviewer – Shabaz Khan, Marketing Manager at GreyB
Shabaz Khan, a seasoned marketing manager at GreyB, leads the Scouted By GreyB campaign. With a decade of experience, he specializes in delivering critical insights to Innovation leaders, R&D, and IP teams about evolving tech landscapes, innovation trends, and emerging breakthrough startups. Shabaz excels at aligning research data with business needs and developing strategies to solve innovation challenges. His leadership and problem-solving skills make him a valuable asset in R&D and IP research.
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Authored By: Naveen Kumar, Marketing
