
Potion
AI for product formulation
Financial History
Leadership Team
Key people at Potion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Potion?
Potion was founded in 2019 by Alex Stec (Founder) and Yahya Syed (Founder) and Hejab Malik (Founder).

AI for product formulation
Key people at Potion.
Potion was founded in 2019 by Alex Stec (Founder) and Yahya Syed (Founder) and Hejab Malik (Founder).
Potion AI is an artificial intelligence company specializing in the beauty and personal care industry, providing an AI-powered platform that streamlines product formulation, ingredient management, and regulatory compliance. Its technology helps formulators—from indie brands to large contract manufacturers—accelerate innovation by automating repetitive tasks such as ingredient research, deformulation, and compliance screening, allowing them to focus on creativity and product development. Founded in 2018 and based in San Francisco, Potion AI serves the cosmetics R&D ecosystem globally, supporting over 10,000 users with patented AI tools that transform product development workflows[1][2][3][4].
Potion AI was founded in 2018 by Hejab Malik and his team, who initially developed a patented AI system capable of converting product briefs into starter formulations. Their early attempt to launch a skincare brand exposed them to the complexities of raw material sourcing, regulatory hurdles, and stability testing. This firsthand experience motivated them to pivot from being a beauty brand to building a technology platform that empowers the entire beauty industry. This shift allowed Potion AI to focus on creating AI tools that help product developers move from concept to market faster and more efficiently[3][4].
Potion AI rides the wave of AI-driven transformation in the beauty and personal care sector, a market traditionally reliant on trial-and-error and manual research. The timing is critical as regulatory landscapes become more complex and the demand for faster, more innovative product development grows. By embedding AI into formulation workflows, Potion AI addresses inefficiencies and unlocks new possibilities for creativity and speed. Its influence extends beyond individual companies by setting new standards for how AI can augment human expertise in R&D, thus shaping the future of the beauty tech ecosystem[3][4].
Looking ahead, Potion AI is poised to deepen its impact by expanding its AI capabilities and enterprise offerings, including secure private cloud solutions for proprietary data management. As AI adoption accelerates in beauty R&D, trends such as generative AI and advanced data integration will likely shape Potion’s evolution. The company’s commitment to preserving the human touch while automating routine tasks positions it well to remain a key enabler of innovation. Investors and industry watchers should note Potion AI’s potential to redefine product development speed and creativity in a highly competitive market[3][7].
In summary, Potion AI exemplifies how AI can revolutionize product formulation in beauty, turning complex, time-consuming processes into streamlined, insight-driven workflows that empower formulators worldwide.
Potion was founded in 2019 by Alex Stec (Founder) and Yahya Syed (Founder) and Hejab Malik (Founder).
Key people at Potion.