Givaudan targets startup potential with latest investment

Major fragrance player Givaudan has announced that it is investing in a Sensorwake, a French startup company in the consumer tech sector.

Sensorwake, a company responsible for creating the world’s first olfactive alarm clock, has worked with Givaudan over the previous two years to create a collection of scents for the product, and the companies have enjoyed what they describe as a ‘strong partnership’.

Sensorwake was discovered by the Google International Innovation Competition and won the ‘Google Growth Engine’ programme, as well as two innovation awards at CES in Las Vegas.  

The company designs and markets internationally innovative products aimed at improving the wellbeing of consumers on a daily basis thanks to perfumes.

Startup: power up

Financial details of the investment are yet to be revealed, but Givaudan has spoken about the motivation behind the move and the value placed by the company on partnering for innovation.

We’re proud to invest in Sensorwake and further develop our existing partnership. It’s great to support young talent and partner with startups that share the same commitment and vision towards innovation in fragrances,” says Gilles Andrier, Givaudan CEO.

Fruits of the partnership

So far, the two companies have worked together on two main projects: the Sensorwake clock and Oria, an olfactive device to help people sleep.

  • Sensorwake is a ‘revolutionary’ alarm clock that wakes you up in the morning by diffusing your favourite scents.
  • Oria uses two Givaudan sleep patents developed by its Science & Technology Centre of Excellence in Ashford. The smart device aims to improve people’s quality of sleep via the power of scent.

We look forward to strengthening this collaboration and working together on new digital projects to enhance the daily lives of consumers across the world,” says Andrier.