Shaping adaptable anticounterfeiting global approach

In Africa, a child dies from malaria every five minutes due to counterfeit antimalarial drugs. This stark reality became the driving force behind Ennoventure’s pursuit of a reliable anti-counterfeiting solution. Today, the company’s solution safeguards products from counterfeiting and empowers consumers by making product authentication accessible and transparent. In a conversation, Padmakumar Nair, Founder and CEO of Ennoventure Inc., talks about the company’s success in delivering a powerful, practical tool that enhances brand trust and ensures product integrity. Excerpts…

Q. What were the significant funding milestones in Ennoventure’s journey, and how did they influence the company’s growth?

Ennoventure Inc. has achieved several significant funding milestones since its inception in 2018, each contributing to its growth and global expansion in the fight against counterfeiting. Ennoventure secured $1 million in seed funding from angel investors, providing the initial capital to develop its patented invisible cryptographic signature technology aimed at authenticating product packaging without altering existing manufacturing processes. At present, we have presence in the USA, UAE, India, and beyond.

Q. How does Ennoventure’s technology work to prevent counterfeiting?

Ennoventure’s SaaS-based brand protection solution, is built to integrate seamlessly into existing packaging design, without requiring any process changes or added CAPEX. Brands simply upload their artwork onto our portal, download the encrypted version, and print it as usual. Once the product reaches the market, end consumers can verify its authenticity by scanning it via a microsite or a customizable dedicated app. At the heart of our technology is an invisible cryptographic code embedded into the packaging using AI and cryptography, making it impossible for counterfeiters to detect or replicate. Unlike visible tracking systems, Ennoventure’s technology operates silently and securely. Additionally, the platform serves an educational purpose, offering insights such as product composition, manufacturing date, and potential side effects.

Q. What industries does Ennoventure serve, and how does its business model operate?

Ennoventure serves a diverse range of industries where product authenticity is critical, including pharmaceuticals, FMCG, agrochemicals, automotive, and personal care. These sectors face significant challenges from counterfeiting and parallel trade, which can compromise consumer safety, brand integrity, and revenue. We operate primarily as a B2B company, collaborating with brand managers, product heads, and packaging leads who are focused on ensuring product authenticity and consumer trust.

Q. How has Ennoventure influenced its approach to global anti-counterfeiting solutions?

Ennoventure’s presence across the USA, India, and the GCC has played a pivotal role in shaping a truly global and adaptable approach to anti-counterfeiting. Each region brings unique challenges, ranging from regulatory demands and consumer behavior to the scale and sophistication of counterfeiting networks. Our exposure to these diverse markets has enabled us to build a solution that is scalable, and operationally seamless. Across these regions, our focus has been on innovation and scalable integration, aligning with global compliance standards and the expectations of mature markets. We’ve gained deep insights into large-scale manufacturing ecosystems and supply chain complexities, allowing us to engineer a solution that works without disrupting existing workflows, reinforcing our commitment to agile, mobile-first authentication.

Q. How does Ennoventure distinguish itself in the anti-counterfeiting industry?

Ennoventure sets itself apart in the anti-counterfeiting space through its non-intrusive, AI and cryptography-powered solution that embeds invisible cryptographic signatures directly onto product packaging, without requiring any changes to existing design, ink, or manufacturing processes. Unlike traditional methods such as QR codes, holograms, or stickers that are easily replicated or tampered with, our covert and non-reproducible technology ensures a much higher level of security. Our SaaS platform, enables brands to encrypt packaging artwork seamlessly, while our product authentication app allows real-time product verification using just a smartphone. To enhance the consumer journey further, we transform the moment of authentication into a brand engagement opportunity. With the ability to deploy in under 48 hours, no CAPEX requirements, Ennoventure delivers a cost-effective, scalable, and secure solution that protects products, educates consumers, and builds trust across the value chain.

Q. Which notable companies have partnered with Ennoventure to implement its anti-counterfeiting technology?

Ennoventure has partnered with major brands including Nestlé, Reckitt, DENSO and CNH to implement its advanced anti-counterfeiting technology. These collaborations span key sectors such as FMCG and automotive parts, where product authenticity is critical. By integrating Ennoventure’s invisible, non-reproducible cryptographic signatures, these companies are enhancing product security and ensuring customer trust.

Q. Which new markets is Ennoventure targeting for expansion?

Ennoventure is strategically expanding into several key international markets to address the growing demand for advanced anti-counterfeiting solutions. The company is focusing on expanding in the United States, in addition to strengthening its presence in Europe, and India.