What NBD Nanotechnologies does

NBD Nanotechnologies is a privately held specialty materials company founded in 2012 in the Boston area and now headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts. The company develops molecular-level surface functionalization coatings, additives, and adhesion promoters that confer hydrophobic, oleophobic, oleophilic, and antimicrobial properties to substrates including glass, plastic, metal, and leather. Its technology platform is inspired by the Namib Desert Beetle's surface water-harvesting properties and is built on proprietary hybrid organic/inorganic chemistry that is fluorine-free. The product portfolio comprises four brands: InvisiPrint (anti-fingerprint coatings, with an MBED antimicrobial variant), RepelFlex (a UV-curable coating family with antimicrobial, hard-coat, leather, and soft-touch variants), RepelShell (thermally-stable additives for coating resins requiring less than 5% loading), and NanoGlue (an adhesion promoter enabling 64-200 cross-linking layers with glass for lifetime durability). Patent protection is granted on InvisiPrint, RepelShell, and NanoGlue.

The company operates a B2B enterprise sales model targeting OEM manufacturers across four primary verticals: consumer electronics and displays (InvisiPrint applied to millions of screens annually through screen protector partners), automotive (hydrophobic glass, camera and lidar lenses under testing with multiple OEMs), biometrics and medical devices (RepelFlex MBED on FBI-certified scanners), and industrial applications (RepelShell additives on power plant condenser tubes and athletic footwear). Revenue is generated through one-time licensing or volume-based sales of coating materials and additives to manufacturers for integration during production. Key named customers include Integrated Biometrics, BGZ Brands/BodyGuardz, and Germany's Mendener Präzisionsrohr GmbH (MPG). Distribution leverages direct OEM sales for coatings and a combination of strategic investor channels (BASF Venture Capital, Henkel AG & Co.) and industrial partnerships for additive sales.

The company has raised approximately $16.7 million across disclosed venture and grant funding, including a $5.2 million Series A in 2014 (Phoenix Venture Partners, Supply Chain Ventures) and an $8 million Series B in November 2017 (BASF Venture Capital led, with Henkel AG & Co. and Phoenix Venture Partners). Headcount is reported in the 11-50 range. InvisiPrint received Frost & Sullivan's New Product Innovation Award for anti-fingerprint coatings in 2020. The company is led by co-founders Deckard Sorensen (CEO) and Miguel Galvez (President), with a management team that includes senior commercial and R&D leadership drawn from Polaroid, Henkel, ICI, and Silicon Valley technology companies.

Name

NBD Nanotechnologies

Legal name

NBD Nanotechnologies, Inc.

Website

https://nbdnano.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NBD Nanotechnologies is a specialty materials company developing proprietary fluorine-free surface coatings, additives, and adhesion promoters that provide anti-fingerprint, antimicrobial, and repellency properties for OEM manufacturers in consumer electronics, automotive, biometrics, and industrial sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Chemical Surface Coatings

NAICS

Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551), Paint, Coating, and Adhesive Manufacturing (3255), Adhesive Manufacturing (32552), Research and Development in Nanotechnology (541713)

SIC

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851), Adhesives & Sealants (2891), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty & Functional Coatings (Anti-microbial/Anti-slip/Insulating) (IMAIAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial & Protective Coatings (IMAEAGAB), Coating & Adhesive Raw Materials (Resins, Additives, Solvents) (IMAEAGAK), Adhesives & Sealants Chemicals (IMAEABAA)

Keywords

• Surface coatings
• Nanotechnology coatings
• Antimicrobial coatings
• Fingerprint hiding coatings
• Adhesion promoters

Headquarters

HQ city

Brighton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Specialty Coatings: Sale of proprietary surface coatings (InvisiPrint, RepelFlex) to manufacturers for application to their products
2. Additives: Sale of RepelShell additives that are blended into coating resins and plastic manufacturing processes
3. Adhesion Promoters: Sale of NanoGlue adhesion promoters for improving bonding of coatings to glass surfaces

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

NBD Nanotechnologies develops and sells proprietary nanocoatings (InvisiPrint and RepelFlex families), resin additives (RepelShell), and adhesion promoters (NanoGlue) that modify surface wettability to deliver hydrophobic, oleophobic, oleophilic, and antimicrobial properties. Products are sold to OEM manufacturers for integration into electronics, automotive, biometric, and industrial applications. All products are fluorine-free and solvent-free, with ultra-thin, optically transparent coatings applied via atomized spray or blended directly into resins.

Product overview

NBD Nanotechnologies is a specialty chemical company offering surface coating solutions, additives, and adhesion promoters. The core product portfolio includes two main coating brands: InvisiPrint (fingerprint-hiding coatings including MBED antimicrobial variant) and RepelFlex (a family of UV curable protective coatings with variants for antimicrobial, hard-coat, leather, and soft-touch applications). Supporting these are RepelShell additives for enhancing repellency of coating resins from the inside out, and NanoGlue adhesion promoters for glass bonding. All products are inspired by the Namib Desert Beetle and are Fluorine-free. The company operates from Lexington, MA and focuses on surface wettability solutions for electronics, automotive, industrial, and consumer goods sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• InvisiPrint® A fingerprint-hiding coating that uses oleophilic properties to spread fingerprint oil, allowing light to pass through undeterred and rendering fingerprints invisible at most viewing angles. Combines hydrophobic properties for easy-to-clean characteristics and is intended for OEMs of glass, plastic, and metal-surface products.
• InvisiPrint® MBED Antimicrobial A dual-function fluorine-free, ultra-thin coating combining fingerprint hiding and antimicrobial protection. Reduces stain and odor causing bacteria by greater than 5 log (99.9997%) when tested under ISO 22196, intended for display and high-touch surface applications.
• RepelFlex® A family of UV-curable, transparent, flexible coatings designed to protect and enhance various substrates. Provides invisible protection against microbial growth, dirt, stains, and abrasion. Fluorine-free and solvent-free, applied using atomized spray equipment with a UV cure process, intended for OEM manufacturers.
• RepelFlex® Antimicrobial An ultra-thin transparent coating providing antimicrobial, anti-scratch, and anti-stain protection for hard or soft plastic surfaces. Contains antimicrobial additives creating invisible protection against stain and odor causing bacteria. Atomized spray applied, UV cured, and free of solvents and fluorine.
• RepelFlex® Hard-Coat An ultra-thin hard-coat protecting products against scratching and abrasion, available in antimicrobial formulations. Proprietary polymer and additive combination creates an extremely hard and durable surface with excellent adhesion to rigid and soft plastics. UV cured, fluorine-free, and solvent-free.
• RepelFlex® Leather An ultra-thin coating designed specifically for leather substrates providing a highly durable, scratch- and stain-resistant surface without impacting haptics. Protects leather from staining and prevents leather finishes from transferring to fabrics (crocking). UV curable, free of solvents and fluorine.
• RepelFlex® Soft-Touch A soft-touch coating for plastic substrates providing a highly durable, soft, and silky surface, available with anti-microbial properties. Proprietary polymer combination creates a soft/silky feel while providing hydrophobic and oleophobic properties. UV curable, thin and flexible, available in matte or glossy finishes.
• RepelShell® A thermally-stable powdered additive that modifies surface properties of coatings to become highly hydrophobic and oleophobic. When blended into resin at less than 5% loading, it migrates to the surface, creating a repellent outer layer. Compatible with most liquid coating resins and maintains the mechanical properties of the host coating.
• NanoGlue® A proprietary adhesion promoter designed for improving bonding and durability of adhesives and top coats to glass substrates. Proprietary chemical backbone enables extreme bonding with 64-200 cross-linking layers with glass, dramatically improving resistance to harsh environmental conditions. Approximately 20 nanometers thick.

Quantifiable outcome

• InvisiPrint provides 10-times superior strength at hiding fingerprint smudges compared to traditional coatings
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Ultrasonic Systems, Inc. (USI)majorTechnology or Integration · 1 June 2021USI's proprietary ultrasonic spray coating technology (tCAT) combined with NBD's RepelFlex MBED coating for precise, uniform application on biometric scanners.
• Integrated BiometricscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Partnership to apply RepelFlex MBED antimicrobial coating on IB's entire line of FBI-certified biometric fingerprint scanners. Combined innovative material and application process for superior protection.
• BGZ brands / BodyGuardzmajorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2021BodyGuardz integrated InvisiPrint MBED into their screen protectors and cases within PureGuard antimicrobial formula, providing dual-function coating for device protection.
• Avison YoungminorOthers · 1 March 2019Commercial real estate services firm negotiated 8,412-square-foot lease for NBD Nano's headquarters relocation to Ledgemont Technology Center.
• Mendener Präzisionsrohr GmbH (MPG)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2017German-based international condenser tube manufacturer selected NBD's RepelShell coating for power plant condenser tubes to improve heat transfer efficiency and reduce carbon footprint.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• AkzoNobel: AkzoNobel is a global paints and coatings incumbent with significant presence in automotive, industrial, and specialty coatings. Competes with NBD at the OEM coatings integration layer across the same end-markets.
• PPG Industries: PPG is one of the world's largest paints and coatings companies, supplying industrial, automotive, and specialty coatings globally. While not a niche nano-coating player, PPG competes broadly in the same OEM coatings markets NBD targets (automotive, industrial, electronics).
• Henkel AG & Co. Henkel's Adhesive Technologies business is a global leader in industrial adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings, and is also an NBD investor. Broad incumbent competing in the same industrial coatings and adhesion promoter markets as NBD's NanoGlue and RepelShell.
• 3M: 3M's Electronics Materials and Industrial Adhesives divisions produce protective films, surface treatments, and specialty coatings used in electronics, automotive, and industrial applications. Overlaps with NBD's InvisiPrint, RepelFlex, and NanoGlue at the protective-coating layer.
• BASF Coatings: BASF's coatings division is among the largest global suppliers of automotive OEM coatings, industrial coatings, and coatings additives. Strategic investor BASF Venture Capital's involvement creates both partnership and competitive overlap with NBD's platform.

Emerging players

• Surfactis: Surfactis is a French specialty chemical startup developing bio-sourced surfactants and surface chemistry for industrial and coating applications. Emerging niche player with partial overlap to NBD's specialty additives platform.
• Nano-Care Deutschland: Nano-Care develops fluorinated and fluorine-free nano-coatings for textiles, glass, and surfaces. Comparable emerging player focused on repellent and easy-clean coatings with overlap to NBD's RepelShell omniphobic additive applications.

Direct peers

• HZO Inc. HZO provides nano-coatings (Parylene, plasma, and proprietary thin-film coatings) that protect electronics from water, corrosion, and contaminants. Most direct comparable to NBD's InvisiPrint and RepelFlex protective coatings for consumer electronics and OEM device manufacturers.
• Aculon: Aculon develops proprietary surface treatment technologies including hydrophobic, oleophobic, and anti-fingerprint coatings, plus adhesion promoters for industrial and electronics applications. Closely comparable to NBD's molecular functionalization platform and NanoGlue.
• P2i: P2i is a UK-based nano-coating specialist offering splash-proof and waterproof coatings for smartphones, wearables, and electronics via OEM partnerships. Direct competitor to NBD in OEM-embedded nano-coatings for consumer devices.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3146963
• Xx.com/nbdnano
• Facebookfacebook.com/344418178

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds9 records

Investors12 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NBD Nanotechnologies