Link to Article in German
In August 2024, OwnerChip, a Vienna-based startup co-founded by business angel Niki Futter, made headlines by equipping the world’s most expensive newly built violin with advanced counterfeit protection. This initiative underscores OwnerChip’s commitment to safeguarding the authenticity of luxury items through innovative technology.
OwnerChip’s Mission Against Counterfeiting
Counterfeiting remains a significant global issue, with the Austrian customs alone registering 7,072 shipments of fake products in 2023, totaling nearly €36 million in seized goods. In response to this challenge, Michael Schramm founded OwnerChip, offering Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to verify the authenticity of luxury goods and artworks.
From Gin Bottles to Masterpieces
OwnerChip’s journey began in September 2022 with a project involving a limited edition of 1,000 bottles of Styrian gin “Stin,” each embedded with NFC chips. This allowed customers to scan the bottle and access detailed product information, enhancing customer engagement and trust. Building on this success, OwnerChip expanded its services to artists and marketplaces, providing embedded blockchain-enabled NFC chips for new creations and digital certification tools for secondary markets.
Securing the World’s Most Expensive New Violin
One of OwnerChip’s most prestigious projects involves securing a violin crafted by Styrian luthier Edgar Russ, residing in Cremona. This exceptional instrument is adorned with rare osmium, featuring 541 crystalline osmium pieces and 298 gemstones. Valued between five to six million euros, it is slated for auction at the end of the year. OwnerChip’s NFC chip not only verifies the violin’s authenticity but also documents its history, including performances and ownership, ensuring transparency and trust for future custodians.
