Alex Wiltschko

Alex Wiltschko is the founder and CEO of Osmo, a science and technology company focused on developing artificial intelligence for scent detection and olfactory neuroscience. Wiltschko earned a bachelor's degree in neuroscience from the University of Michigan and a doctorate in olfactory neuroscience from Harvard University. After completing his doctoral studies, Wiltschko founded and sold two artificial intelligence companies—one to a biotechnology firm and another to Twitter, where he established the deep learning group. He later joined Google Brain and created Alphabet's olfaction group. At Google Research, Wiltschko led a team that used machine learning to help computers predict how different molecules smell based on their structure.

Osmo originated as a research project during Wiltschko's tenure at Google and was later launched as an independent startup with support from Lux Capital and Google Ventures. The company received $60 million in Series A funding to develop its proprietary platform, described as "AI for scent," which enables brands to create data-driven fragrances with increased speed and precision. Osmo's system integrates multiple AI models and proprietary datasets to deliver Olfactory Intelligence, allowing the computational design, testing, and evaluation of molecules prior to production. The company later announced a $70 million Series B funding round to expand its Olfactory Intelligence platform and its New Jersey manufacturing facility.

Wiltschko's work at Osmo has resulted in several technological advancements, including the introduction of the Scent Teleportation process, which digitally captures and recreates scents. Osmo achieved complete scent recreation with the replication of a fresh-cut summer plum. The company's AI technology has also enabled the development of proprietary fragrance molecules, including Glossine, Fractaline, and Quasarine. Osmo has reported publishing more patents on new fragrance ingredients than the rest of the industry combined. The company operates across three business lines: discovering new fragrance ingredients for large B2B clients, white-labeling AI tools for multinational consumer packaged goods companies, and collaborating with independent brands to design and manufacture custom fragrance oils.

Wiltschko has expanded Osmo's applications beyond perfumery by converting molecular structures into digital signatures, enabling high-accuracy scent identification. This technology supports the detection of counterfeit goods, explosives, and potential public health threats. Wiltschko has also explored the potential of scent in early disease detection, as molecules released from the body may signal health issues before symptoms appear. This mission is personal for Wiltschko, whose father died of brain cancer, a condition some evidence suggests has a unique scent.

As a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer, Osmo is part of a global network of innovators leveraging technology to address significant social challenges. Wiltschko has been featured in outlets such as Fortune, CNBC, and the World Economic Forum, and has spoken at events including Flagship Pioneering's AI Summit. Through advancements in molecular data, machine learning, and fragrance design, Osmo is contributing to the evolution of artificial intelligence and the life sciences.