d9 Designs
d9 Designs Inc. is a privately held ingredient and consumer products company that develops and licenses patented deuterated caffeine (d9-Caffeine) under sub-brands Deura9 (ingestible) and Elustra (topical), serving performance nutrition, energy, and skincare brands via B2B licensing and forthcoming owned brands Derma9 and Deuzy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersConcord, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What d9 Designs does
d9 Designs Inc. is a privately held consumer products and ingredient-licensing company (founded and headquartered in Concord, MA) operating as a commercialization subsidiary of Lennham Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Its core technology is d9-Caffeine — a patented deuterated form of caffeine in which 9 of 10 hydrogen atoms are replaced with deuterium — engineered into two proprietary ingredient brands: Deura9 for ingestible applications (pre-workout, functional beverages, energy) and Elustra for topical skincare applications. The technology is differentiated at the molecular level rather than via formulation tricks, with peer-reviewed clinical evidence supporting 3x longer duration of effect, 5–10x lower exposure to primary caffeine metabolites, smoother energy delivery, and improved topical stability relative to conventional caffeine.
The company operates a dual commercialization model. On the B2B side, it licenses d9-Caffeine to consumer brands — most notably an exclusive agreement with Nutrabolt covering the powdered pre-workout category, which yielded the May 2025 launch of C4 AlphaBomb ($54.99 retail price, distributed across 125+ countries via DTC, Amazon, and major U.S. retailers). On the B2C side, the company is building two owned brands: Derma9 skincare (powered by Elustra, with Eye-Volution eye serum as the lead SKU, target launch Q1 2026) and Deuzy energy shots (powered by Deura9, target launch Q1 2027). The IP estate comprises 4 issued U.S. patents with protection through 2039, plus GRAS regulatory clearance obtained in June 2024 enabling U.S. food, beverage, and cosmetic applications.
Customer end-markets span performance nutrition consumers (athletes seeking crash-free energy), energy-product consumers (those sensitive to conventional caffeine metabolites), and skincare consumers (anti-aging, hydration), with B2B brand partners serving as a secondary channel. Pricing for licensing and ingredient sales is quote-based; consumer retail pricing on the Nutrabolt partner SKU is $54.99. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed, and the team is described as 1–10 employees with leadership including Co-CEO Brad Sippy (inventor on 17 issued U.S. patents, prior $110M Tremeau raise), Co-CEO Jeffrey Wren (ex-UCB, ex-BioSerenity), CSO Bruce Lavin MD/MPH (ex-Sanofi, Novartis, BMS, UCB), CCO Joshua Wren, and CFO Rusty Rohrbaugh, CFA.
d9 Designs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- d9 Designs
- Legal name
- d9 Designs Inc.
- Website
- https://d9designs.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- d9 Designs Inc. is a privately held ingredient and consumer products company that develops and licenses patented deuterated caffeine (d9-Caffeine) under sub-brands Deura9 (ingestible) and Elustra (topical), serving performance nutrition, energy, and skincare brands via B2B licensing and forthcoming owned brands Derma9 and Deuzy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
d9 Designs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Chemical Ingredients
- NAICS
- Food Manufacturing (311)
- SIC
- Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Energy Drinks & Energy Shots (CRADAHAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Functional Beverages (Vitamins, Probiotics, Nootropics, etc.) (CRADAHAL), Functional Shot Production (Wellness/Immunity/Focus Shots) (AFAFAFAI), Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF)
Keywords
Where d9 Designs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Concord
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
d9 Designs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Technology Licensing: d9 Designs licenses its patented d9-Caffeine technology to brands across distinct verticals including pre-workout supplements, functional beverages, and cosmetics. The exclusive licensing agreement with Nutrabolt for powdered pre-workout space represents the first commercial application.
- Own Branded Products: Development and commercialization of proprietary brands including Derma9 skincare (powered by Elustra, launching Q1 2026) and Deuzy energy shots (powered by Deura9, launching Q1 2027), sold through direct-to-consumer and retail channels.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | C4 AlphaBomb pre-workout containing Deura9 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
d9 Designs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
d9 Designs develops, manufactures, and licenses d9-Caffeine (deuterated caffeine), a patented ingredient in which 9 of 10 hydrogen atoms are replaced with deuterium to deliver longer-lasting, smoother caffeine effects. The technology is offered in two forms — Deura9 for ingestible applications (pre-workout supplements, functional beverages, energy shots) and Elustra for topical skincare — and is commercialized both through B2B ingredient licensing deals with consumer brands (e.g., exclusive Nutrabolt deal for C4 pre-workout) and through the company's own branded consumer product lines (Derma9 skincare, Deuzy energy shots, Eye-Volution eye serum).
Product overview
d9 Designs is a consumer products manufacturer that has developed d9-Caffeine (deuterated caffeine) technology — the first major innovation in the caffeine molecule. The company's portfolio includes two proprietary ingredient brands: Deura9™ for ingestible applications (energy, pre-workout, functional beverages) and Elustra™ for topical skincare applications. d9 Designs commercializes its technology through two branded product lines — Derma9™ skincare (launching Q1 2026) and Deuzy™ energy shots (launching Q1 2027) — as well as through licensing partnerships with industry leaders like Nutrabolt (C4 pre-workout products).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Derma9™: d9-Caffeine focused skincare brand delivering prolonged firming and wrinkle-smoothing benefits with Elustra technology. Estimated Launch: Q1 2026.
- Deuzy™
Quantifiable outcome
- 3x longer duration of stimulatory effects compared to ordinary caffeine
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use d9 Designs
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
d9 Designs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
d9 Designs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- NutraboltflagshipExclusive licensing agreement granting Nutrabolt rights to utilize patented Deura9 (d9-Caffeine) in the powdered pre-workout supplement space. Nutrabolt is a global leader in performance nutrition and owner of C4, the #1 selling global pre-workout brand. The first commercial product, C4 AlphaBomb, launched May 10, 2025, containing 336mg caffeine complex including Deura9 for explosive sensory experience. Nutrabolt's portfolio is distributed in over 125 countries through DTC, Amazon, and major retailers.
- C4 Energy (Nutrabolt Brand)coreFeatured partner brand for first commercial application of Deura9 technology. C4 AlphaBomb pre-workout is the first product on the market harnessing the power of Deura9, setting a new standard for the pre-workout category.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
d9 Designs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Celsius Holdings: Celsius is a public functional energy drink company with science-driven positioning, premium pricing, and multi-channel distribution (DTC, convenience, fitness retail) — closely comparable to d9 Designs' energy shot/pre-workout commercialization strategy and target consumer.
- Alani Nu: Alani Nu is a fast-growing functional energy and nutrition brand with strong female consumer pull and DTC-plus-retail distribution; mirrors d9 Designs' combination of branded consumer launch with founder-led, science-marketed positioning.
- Bloom Nutrition: Bloom is a functional beverage and greens brand targeting female consumers with a social/DTC-led go-to-market model — comparable to d9 Designs' planned Deuzy energy shot launch in target demographic and channel mix.
- DECIEM / The Ordinary: The Ordinary is a science-forward, ingredient-centric skincare brand with caffeine-based eye/topical SKUs; compares to d9 Designs' Derma9 / Eye-Volution skincare launch with similar ingredient-first, clinical-evidence marketing approach.
Broad incumbents
- Monster Beverage Corporation: Monster is the dominant global energy drink incumbent with broad SKU coverage of the energy drink category that d9 Designs' Deura9/Deuzy ultimately compete in, although at vastly different scale.
- Red Bull: Red Bull is the brand-defining energy drink incumbent, anchoring the caffeine-energy consumer category that d9 Designs' technology platform serves through licensing and branded entries.
- Keurig Dr Pepper: Keurig Dr Pepper is a large incumbent in caffeinated beverages (coffee, energy, soft drinks); a potential strategic acquirer/partner for d9-Caffeine across multiple consumer verticals and a benchmark for category scale.
- Olay (Procter & Gamble): Olay is a mainstream skincare brand with multiple caffeine-containing anti-aging SKUs; a direct competitor to Derma9 in retail skincare channels despite very different scale.
- La Roche-Posay (L'Oréal): La Roche-Posay is a dermo-cosmetic leader positioned on clinical efficacy and tolerability — closely analogous to Derma9's dermatological, clinically validated skincare positioning.
Others
- Nutrabolt (C4): Nutrabolt is d9 Designs' anchor licensing partner and category leader in pre-workout; treated as a peer given overlapping pre-workout/caffeine category exposure rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
d9 Designs social profiles
Digital presenced9 Designs compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
d9 Designs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
d9 Designs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
d9 Designs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
d9 Designs 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 d9 Designs
What does d9 Designs do?
d9 Designs develops, manufactures, and licenses d9-Caffeine (deuterated caffeine), a patented ingredient in which 9 of 10 hydrogen atoms are replaced with deuterium to deliver longer-lasting, smoother caffeine effects. The technology is offered in two forms — Deura9 for ingestible applications (pre-workout supplements, functional beverages, energy shots) and Elustra for topical skincare — and is commercialized both through B2B ingredient licensing deals with consumer brands (e.g., exclusive Nutrabolt deal for C4 pre-workout) and through the company's own branded consumer product lines (Derma9 skincare, Deuzy energy shots, Eye-Volution eye serum).
Is d9 Designs a public or private company?
d9 Designs is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was d9 Designs founded?
d9 Designs was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is d9 Designs based?
d9 Designs is headquartered in Concord, United States, in the North America region.
How does d9 Designs make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Technology Licensing is the primary driver. The others are own Branded Products.
Who are d9 Designs's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Celsius Holdings, Alani Nu, Bloom Nutrition and DECIEM / The Ordinary. Broad incumbents are Monster Beverage Corporation, Red Bull, Keurig Dr Pepper, Olay (Procter & Gamble) and La Roche-Posay (L'Oréal). Nutrabolt (C4) is listed as an others.
Does d9 Designs have an API?
No public API is recorded for d9 Designs.
What industry is d9 Designs in?
d9 Designs's product category is Specialty Chemical Ingredients. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAHAJ, Energy Drinks & Energy Shots, with a secondary code of CRADAHAL, Functional Beverages (Vitamins, Probiotics, Nootropics, etc.). Its NAICS code is 311 and its SIC code is 2833.