Patina has secured $2 million in funding from investors including Betaworks and True Ventures as it looks to reshape the fragrance industry through artificial intelligence and molecular scent research.
Founded by Sean Raspet and Laura Sisson, the company is developing new scent molecules using machine learning and advanced biological modeling. Their foundation model, Sense1, is designed to better understand how scent receptors in the nose respond to molecules, helping create entirely new fragrances and alternatives to rare natural ingredients.
Patina aims to modernize an industry that has seen limited innovation for decades, while also offering more sustainable and scalable scent solutions for fragrance houses, fashion brands, and consumer products. The startup says its technology could reduce reliance on expensive natural extracts while allowing perfumers to develop more unique and customizable scents faster than traditional lab processes.