Who we are

We’re bringing next-generation technology to an age-old practice.

Philosopher's Ink was founded by three chemists based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Our technology grew out of years of cutting-edge fundamental research into metal materials that sit at the boundary between individual molecules and bulk metal.

That science is now a product: a real gold paint that forms a continuous metallic film on almost any surface, revealing every ridge, fiber, and texture beneath it.

Gold has never done this before.

Founders

Marcus Tofanelli, PhD - Chief Science Officer

Marcus received his PhD in chemistry from Colorado State University in 2016. He is currently a Co-Founder of Revalix Labs in Fort Collins, and is the main intellectual driver of Philosopher’s Ink technology. Marcus is an active academic contributor in the gold nanotechnology space, with over 18 peer reviewed publications since 2012 and over 1000 citations.

Chelsea Ducote - Chief Creative Officer

Chelsea holds a BS in biochemistry and BFA in graphic design from Colorado State University and currently drives resin development at a startup in Loveland, Colorado. As a co-founder of Philosopher's Ink, she is the creative force behind our brand and the practicing artist at the heart of our product development — exploring what our material can do in creative hands and defining what it means for the art world.

Alexander R. Hendricks, PhD - Chief Executive Officer

Alex received his PhD in chemistry from Colorado State University (CSU) in 2023. He is currently the Chief Innovation Officer and Co-Founder of AEMS Corp based in Fort Collins, is on the Board of a nanomaterials startup, and is a volunteer grant reviewer for Colorado’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). His main contributions at Philosopher’s Ink are in business development and strategy.