LiquiGlide
LiquiGlide is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based materials science company founded in 2012 that develops proprietary frictionless surface coatings enabling viscous liquids to dispense completely from packaging, serving consumer packaged goods and packaging converter customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What LiquiGlide does
LiquiGlide is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based materials science company founded in 2012 that has developed a proprietary surface-coating technology enabling viscous liquids to slide out of packaging without residue. The technology consists of frictionless, liquid-repellent coatings applied to container interiors, addressing product waste and incomplete dispensing across consumer goods packaging applications. The company originated from MIT research, with founder Kripa Varanasi serving as Co-Founder, Chief Scientific Advisor, and Board Director, and was incubated via the MIT delta v accelerator and MassChallenge in its earliest stage. LiquiGlide appears to operate as a single-product technology firm; no additional product lines or platform extensions are disclosed in the available data.
The business model and revenue mechanics are not publicly disclosed. There is no pricing information, no named customer base, no disclosed revenue, and no published go-to-market strategy. The company has raised approximately $44.6 million cumulatively across equity and debt instruments from 2012 through 2021, with the most significant activity being a $13.5 million round in April 2021 followed by an $8 million venture loan facility from Horizon Technology Finance Corporation in June 2021 ($2M drawn at closing). The customer base, distribution model, and pricing structure remain undisclosed, and no operating signals have been recorded in the available data beyond June 2021.
Headcount is reported in the 11-50 range, consistent with a small commercial-stage materials technology firm. The company holds no public listing, maintains a minimal public footprint, and operates from Cambridge, with no disclosed international offices or geographic expansion signals. Its competitive position is anchored in the proprietary nature of its coating platform and its MIT research lineage, though no formal patent portfolio or licensing terms are enumerated in the input.
LiquiGlide firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LiquiGlide
- Website
- https://liquiglide.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- LiquiGlide is a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based materials science company founded in 2012 that develops proprietary frictionless surface coatings enabling viscous liquids to dispense completely from packaging, serving consumer packaged goods and packaging converter customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LiquiGlide industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Packaging Surface Coatings
- NAICS
- Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551), Toilet Preparation Manufacturing (32562)
- SIC
- Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lightweighting & Material Reduction Solutions (Downgauging, Right-Sizing) (IMALAMAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cosmetic Tubes (Squeeze, Airless Tubes) (IMALAJAF), Injection Blow-Molded Containers (Pharma/Cosmetic Bottles) (IMANAGAB)
Keywords
Where LiquiGlide is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
LiquiGlide business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
LiquiGlide product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LiquiGlide develops and commercializes proprietary surface coating technology that creates frictionless, liquid-repellent surfaces inside packaging containers. The technology enables viscous liquids and products to slide effortlessly out of containers without residue, eliminating product waste and enabling complete dispensing for consumer goods and packaging applications.
Product overview
LiquiGlide offers innovative frictionless packaging technology as its core product offering. The technology consists of surface coatings that create liquid-repellent surfaces, allowing liquids to flow easily without residue. Based on the limited available information, the company appears to operate as a single-product technology firm focused on packaging applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Frictionless Packaging Technology Surface coating technology that creates liquid-repellent, frictionless surfaces for packaging containers, enabling viscous liquids to flow easily and dispense completely without residue. Targeted at consumer goods manufacturers and packaging companies producing products such as toothpaste, lotions, condiments, and other viscous fluids.
Companies that use LiquiGlide
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles1 record
LiquiGlide technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
LiquiGlide partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights2 records
LiquiGlide competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Adaptive Surface Technologies: Adaptive Surface Technologies develops SLIPS (Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous Surfaces) and other liquid-repellent coatings — a closely adjacent technology platform to LiquiGlide's frictionless coatings, serving industrial and consumer anti-fouling, anti-icing, and packaging-related applications.
Broad incumbents
- Hempel Foundation: Hempel is a global coatings manufacturer serving marine, protective, and industrial markets. While not focused on packaging, its scale in specialty surface chemistry and established customer relationships make it a credible broad incumbent that could either partner with or compete against LiquiGlide in coating IP.
- AkzoNobel: AkzoNobel is one of the world's largest paints and coatings producers with extensive specialty-coatings R&D and existing packaging-coatings product lines. Its scale and integration with consumer-goods packaging customers position it as both a potential partner and a major competitive threat to LiquiGlide.
- PPG Industries: PPG is a global specialty coatings leader with packaging coatings and industrial coatings divisions. Its deep R&D resources and established CPG relationships could enable it to develop frictionless or waste-reducing packaging coatings internally, creating downstream competitive pressure on LiquiGlide's licensing model.
- The Sherwin-Williams Company: Sherwin-Williams is a major coatings manufacturer with growing specialty and industrial coating segments. While primarily architectural, its R&D capabilities and packaging-adjacent product development make it a broad incumbent comparable to LiquiGlide's specialty coatings space.
- RPM International: RPM International owns a portfolio of specialty coatings brands serving industrial, commercial, and consumer markets. Its acquisition-driven model and focus on niche, high-margin coatings segments make it a relevant comparable for how a small specialty coating innovator could scale through industry consolidation.
- Dow Inc. Dow is a major materials science company with packaging and specialty plastics businesses serving CPG customers directly. Its downstream involvement in packaging and ability to develop alternative surface solutions make it a broad incumbent comparable to LiquiGlide's packaging-coatings value chain position.
- BASF: BASF is a global chemical and materials giant with extensive surface-treatment chemistry and packaging-related product lines. Its scale of R&D investment and ability to bundle coating solutions with raw materials for packaging converters make it a broad incumbent comparable to LiquiGlide's specialty coatings business.
Regional players
- NatureWorks: NatureWorks produces bio-based polymers used in packaging applications and is heavily involved in sustainability-driven packaging innovation. While focused on materials rather than coatings, its positioning in sustainable packaging solutions overlaps with LiquiGlide's waste-reduction value proposition for CPG brand owners.
Emerging players
- AptarGroup: Aptar is a global leader in dispensing systems and packaging components for beauty, personal care, home care, and food/beverage markets. Its focus on premium dispensing technology and large CPG customer base make it a relevant adjacent player whose packaging components could integrate or compete with LiquiGlide's coating technology.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat1 record
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
LiquiGlide social profiles
Digital presenceLiquiGlide financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LiquiGlide leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
LiquiGlide funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors11 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LiquiGlide M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LiquiGlide
What does LiquiGlide do?
LiquiGlide develops and commercializes proprietary surface coating technology that creates frictionless, liquid-repellent surfaces inside packaging containers. The technology enables viscous liquids and products to slide effortlessly out of containers without residue, eliminating product waste and enabling complete dispensing for consumer goods and packaging applications.
Is LiquiGlide a public or private company?
LiquiGlide is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was LiquiGlide founded?
LiquiGlide was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is LiquiGlide based?
LiquiGlide is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
Who are LiquiGlide's main competitors?
Adaptive Surface Technologies is listed as a direct peer. Broad incumbents are Hempel Foundation, AkzoNobel, PPG Industries, The Sherwin-Williams Company, RPM International, Dow Inc. and BASF. NatureWorks is listed as a regional player. AptarGroup is listed as an emerging player.
Does LiquiGlide have an API?
No public API is recorded for LiquiGlide.
What industry is LiquiGlide in?
LiquiGlide's product category is Packaging Surface Coatings. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALAMAG, Lightweighting & Material Reduction Solutions (Downgauging, Right-Sizing), with a secondary code of IMALAJAF, Cosmetic Tubes (Squeeze, Airless Tubes). Its NAICS code is 32551 and its SIC code is 2851.