With counterfeit goods on the rise, NIR Watchdog, a spin-off from the SnT at the University of Luxembourg, is offering a ground-breaking solution that instantly authenticates products, comparing scanned data with manufacturer specifications via a mobile app.
“Our vision is clear: we aim to be the absolute benchmark database for original products and materials”, explains Eddie Berkovitch, Head of Vision and Entrepreneurship for the company. The company was officially launched in April 2023. Most of the board members are former doctoral students from Uni.lu, embodying the University’s unique strength in its interdisciplinary research approach.
“What sets the University of Luxembourg apart is its interdisciplinary nature combining researchers from various fields. And thanks to this connection between Machine Learning, Big Data and Blockchain, we have developed an ultimate quality probe for several industries”, adds Berkovitch.
No more laboratory dependance
NIR Watchdog solution uses near-infrared scanning technology to instantly display authentication results on a mobile app. Manufacturers no longer need to send products suspected of being copies to laboratories for long analyses.
The scanned data is compared with original specifications from the manufacturer and secured via blockchain. This allows legal action against counterfeiters using the scanned data as evidence in court.
Today, the company is also exploring new applications, such as a tool to assist police in identifying illegal drugs at a crime scene.
Because counterfeit products pose an issue in many fields, NIR Watchdog is well-positioned to establish itself as a standard across diverse industries. “To date, we have cooperated with a major player in the chocolate industry, but our ambition is to offer our technology to the luxury goods and pharmacology sectors as-well,” adds Berkovitch.
When research meets entrepreneurship
The spin-off was created through the SnT Xplore Venture Programme, which fosters early-stage research ideas with real-world application potential. In the months leading up to the creation of the spin-off, experts support researchers who want to develop an idea into a start-up. Some of these make it to market and continue to develop into promising businesses.
Through the Venture Programme, researchers are exposed to the world of entrepreneurship, gaining an understanding of the importance of solving real-world problems. The Programme is designed to get researchers to interact with potential clients as soon as possible, and develop their ideas iteratively based on customer feedback. NIR Watchdog clearly solves a real-world problem in multiple industries, and the SnT will continue supporting the team as they grow and develop.