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Potion

AI-powered beauty formulation and ingredient discovery

Overview

Potion AI builds AI-powered tools for the beauty and personal care industry to speed up product development. Its platform includes an AI-powered search engine that lets formulators find ingredients using natural language, reducing discovery time. It also offers reverse engineering capabilities that analyze benchmark products by inputting INCI lists, automatically suggesting potential raw materials and predicted concentration ranges. Data security and privacy are core, protecting proprietary information as users work. Compared with others, Potion AI emphasizes broad accessibility and automation to help both small businesses and large brands accelerate formulation work, not just inventing new techniques. The company aims to democratize advanced technology in cosmetics, empowering teams to focus on strategy, creativity, and innovation. Backed by investors like Y Combinator, Potion AI continues to evolve its platform to meet the needs of the beauty industry.

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About Potion

Simplify's Rating
Why Potion is rated
B-
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Data & AnalyticsConsumer SoftwareAI & Machine LearningConsumer Goods

Company Size

1-10

Company Stage

Seed

Total Funding

$130K

Headquarters

San Francisco, CA

Founded

2018

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Simplify's take

What believers are saying

  • Potion served 10,000+ users by September 2025, showing broad practitioner adoption.
  • Client growth hit 47% month-over-month in February 2025, signaling strong pull.
  • Free discovery tools and premium private-cloud products create a land-and-expand funnel.

What critics are saying

  • Incumbents like IBM, L'Oréal, and in-house labs can commoditize formulation software fast.
  • Potion still depends on beauty R&D adoption; stalled pilots kill subscription growth in 2027.
  • Free discovery access invites copycats; one major platform bundle can erase Potion’s differentiation.

What makes Potion unique

  • Potion’s reverse-engineering engine turns INCI lists into starting formulas in minutes.
  • Patented models plus regulatory screening tie formulation, compliance, and market research together.
  • kdc/one and ParagonCorp partnerships anchor Potion inside real production and compliance workflows.

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Funding

Total Funding

$130k

Below

Industry Average

Funded Over

1 Rounds

Notable Investors:
Seed funding is usually the first official round after pre-seed, when a startup has a prototype or concept. It’s typically used to develop the product, test the market, and start building the team. Investors here are often angel investors or early-stage venture capitalists.
Seed Funding Comparison
Below Average

Industry standards

$3.3M
$130k
$1.5M
$2M
$2.3M
$3M

Benefits

  • Hybrid Work Options

Company News

PR Newswire
May 2nd, 2024
Independent Creative Strategy, Branding And Experience Design Agency Hyperquake Acquires Award-Winning Design And Technology Studio Potion

New Relationship Strengthens Both Entities While Expanding Storybuilding® Group Creative and Digital ExpertiseCINCINNATI and NEW YORK, May 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyperquake, the independent creative strategy, branding and experience design agency, is very proud to announce its immediate acquisition of Brooklyn-based Potion.Launched in 2005, under the leadership of Founder Phillip R. Tiongson, Potion has built a far-reaching reputation and track-record for innovation in inclusive digital storytelling and immersive content creation. Championing universal design values through its groundbreaking work for clients spanning leading brands, agencies and cultural institutions, Potion's awards recognition includes a Webby Award; several top MUSE, Core77 Design and APEX Awards; multiple finalist honors in the National Design Awards; as well as inclusion in Communications Arts Interactive Annuals and Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, among many other prestigious accolades.While financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, Potion will retain its identity, its full staff and its headquarters in the historic Brooklyn Navy Yard. Of vital importance to all parties are the heightened opportunities to collaborate in bringing expanded offerings to their clients, especially through Hyperquake's Storybuilding® group, which is dedicated to innovation in experience design.According to Hyperquake's CEO Colin Crotty, this strategic acquisition provides his company with its first presence in New York City, the media capital of the world. The development also reflects Hyperquake's commitment to expanding digital offerings and enhancing creative capabilities to better serve clients in a world that is increasingly digital-first."We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Potion's ultra-talented team to the Hyperquake family," Crotty began. "This win-win development allows us to offer our clients an unlimited range of digital solutions through our Storybuilding expertise, where Potion pairs seamlessly

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