ScentifAI Joins Silicon Catalyst to Expand into North America

TOKYO, JAPAN, November 11, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- ScentifAI, a Tokyo-based startup developing CMOS odor imaging sensors, has joined the portfolio of Silicon Catalyst Japan Inc. (SCJ) to expand its presence in North America. The collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on October 7, 2026, with Silicon Catalyst, LLC, an incubator focused on semiconductor and microtechnology startups.

Founded in September 2025, ScentifAI is led by Shunichiro Kuroki, the company's Representative Director and CEO. The firm's CMOS odor imaging sensor captures odors as high-resolution "chemical fingerprints," offering a unique approach to machine olfaction. The sensor boasts a high resolution, with about 57,000 pixels on a 1.2 mm² sensing area, and integrates all peripheral circuitry, including drivers, on a single silicon die of approximately 3 mm². This design ensures a small footprint and low-cost production, making it scalable for various applications.

Paul Pickering, Managing Partner at Silicon Catalyst, brings extensive experience in the semiconductor and sensor industries, having previously served as Chief Revenue Officer of MEMS foundry Micralyne. His role will involve direct customer development in North America, focusing on sectors such as physical AI and robotics, food and beverage, healthcare, and industrial safety.

ScentifAI's technology aims to address the limitations of traditional electronic noses by combining proprietary sensing membranes with a standard CMOS process. This approach not only enhances resolution but also enables the sensor to capture a wide range of chemical environments, surpassing the olfactory receptor types found in a dog's nose.

Over the coming months, ScentifAI plans to initiate co-development projects with North American customers, expand its chemical-fingerprint data collection, and secure additional capital from global investors. The company is also building a multimodal data platform that pairs chemical-fingerprint data with digital-olfaction AI, aiming to provide a comprehensive solution for various industries.

This collaboration marks a significant step for ScentifAI in its mission to bring advanced olfactory technology to the North American market, leveraging Silicon Catalyst's expertise and industry connections.