TruTag Technologies

TruTag Technologies provides robust product authentication and supply chain security solutions for governments and businesses across various sectors. Founded in 2011 by Dr. Hank Wuh, Michael O'Neill, and Peter Wong, the company emerged from the venture accelerator Skai Ventures with a focus on leveraging advanced materials for real-world security challenges. Dr. Wuh, an orthopedic surgeon and serial entrepreneur with degrees from Johns Hopkins and Harvard, brought a deep background in biomedical innovation, while O'Neill contributed extensive experience in optical technology and security. Wong's expertise lies in strategic guidance for technology companies, particularly around intellectual property and corporate finance.

The core of TruTag's offering is an edible, microscopic barcode. These 'TruTags' are constructed from nano-porous silica, a material recognized as safe for consumption, and can be applied directly onto products like pharmaceuticals or food items. Each silica particle is embedded with a unique spectral code that is invisible to the naked eye but can be read by proprietary scanners or even a standard smartphone app. This creates a secure and difficult-to-replicate link between a physical item and its digital record in a supply chain, effectively turning each product into a traceable data point. The technology serves clients in industries plagued by counterfeiting, including pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, electronics, and consumer goods.

The company's business model centers on providing this comprehensive authentication platform. Revenue is generated from the sale of the physical TruTags and likely through access to their scanning hardware and cloud-based verification software. A key achievement includes a strategic partnership with Sumitomo Corporation of Americas to expand the solution's reach across multiple industries. In late 2024, Crane NXT acquired the Smart Packaging assets of TruTag, allowing TruTag to sharpen its focus on its Smart Medicine and Drug Delivery business segments. This strategic move followed years of development and funding, including a Series C round in 2019 and a Series D in 2021, with total funding reaching over $64 million from investors like Presidio Ventures, Pangaea Ventures, and Happiness Capital.

Keywords: product authentication, supply chain security, anti-counterfeiting, edible barcodes, nano-porous silica, brand protection, track and trace, spectral coding, pharmaceutical security, food traceability, digital health, product digitization, mobile authentication, advanced materials, asset tracking, counterfeit protection, supply chain visibility, secure labels, on-dose authentication