Tracing the Truth in Every Fiber

In an era where supply chain transparency has become both a moral imperative and commercial necessity, Oritain emerged from a powerful scientific insight: every natural product carries within it an immutable fingerprint of its origin.

Founded in 2008 by Dr. Helen Darling and Professor Russell Frew at the University of Otago, Oritain has transformed this scientific principle into a revolutionary verification methodology. Unlike conventional traceability solutions that rely on tags, barcodes, or blockchain—many of which can be manipulated—Oritain's approach measures what's already naturally present within the raw material itself.

By analysing the chemical and isotopic properties that products absorb from their environment, Oritain creates a unique "fingerprint" that cannot be tampered with, replicated, or destroyed. This fingerprinting technology has proven transformative across industries where origin claims carry significant commercial and ethical implications.

What began as an innovative scientific methodology has evolved into a global verification standard, with blue-chip clients including Target, Costco, GAP, Nike, and Lacoste entrusting Oritain to validate their supply chains.

Photo: Rt Hon Sir John Key, Board Chair of Oritain

Partnership

Altered Capital recognised in Oritain a rare combination of scientific innovation, commercial validation, and global scalability. Our investment thesis centred around three compelling factors:

First, the structural tailwinds driving demand for Oritain's solutions—including increasing regulatory burdens around ESG compliance and growing consumer awareness about supply chain integrity—created a robust market opportunity. 

Second, Oritain's competitive moat grows stronger with each verified sample. Their proprietary database of "origin fingerprints" represents an accumulating advantage that becomes increasingly difficult for competitors to replicate. This scientific foundation is buttressed by a portfolio of trademarks and patents that further protect their market position.

Finally, the calibre of Oritain's leadership—including a board featuring Rt. Hon. Sir John Key (New Zealand's 38th Prime Minister) and senior executives from global enterprises—evidenced the vision and execution capability needed to scale a truly global business.