AquiSense Technologies

What AquiSense Technologies does

AquiSense Technologies, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Erlanger, Kentucky, designs and manufactures UV-C LED-based disinfection systems for water, air, and surface treatment. The company launched PearlAqua in 2012 as the world's first commercial UV-C LED water disinfection product and now operates three core platforms: PearlAqua Micro for point-of-use and OEM integration, PearlAqua Deca for residential and commercial point-of-entry applications, and PearlAqua Kilo/Tera for industrial and municipal scale (up to 6 MGD). Complementary product lines include PearlLab research instruments (Beam, Micro, ThinFilm Beam) and PearlAero air/surface disinfection systems. Core technology is built around mercury-free UV-C LEDs integrated into patented flow-cell reactor designs with proprietary Dynamic Power Control, advanced thermal management, and (for municipal systems) the PearlWiper self-cleaning mechanism, delivering instant on/off, unlimited cycling, temperature-independent operation, and compact form factors versus conventional mercury-vapor UV.

AquiSense runs a dual-channel go-to-market: direct enterprise sales targeting municipal water utilities, industrial manufacturers (beverage, pharmaceutical, oil & gas, power generation), and large commercial accounts, supplemented by an OEM/embedded channel in which AquiSense modules are integrated by partners including Quaba (water dispensers), Resylia (disaster relief), Leidos (NASA International Space Station), AXF Solutions and Isla Urbana (remote and rainwater harvesting systems), and WaterStep (emergency response). Hardware is sold via quote-based, multi-year contracts; the 5+ year LED lamp replacement interval produces an installed-base consumable revenue stream. Manufacturing is conducted at ISO 9001:2015 certified facilities in Kentucky and North Carolina, and the certification portfolio spans EPA UVDGM validation, NSF/ANSI/CAN 61-2024, NSF/ANSI 61, NSF/ANSI 372, WaterMark, REACH, and RoHS.

The company was acquired by Japan's Nikkiso Co Ltd in 2016 and operated as a subsidiary until 2025, when employees and external investors completed a management buyout, restructuring the entity as AquiSense Incorporated with majority employee ownership. Burnt Island Ventures led a Series A in April 2025, followed by an additional financing in April 2026. Cumulative global installations surpassed 510,000 by 2025, with marquee deployments at Halifax Water (world's first full-scale UV-C LED municipal wastewater reactor), Las Vegas Valley Water District, Glitrevannverket (Norway, serving 160,000 people), NV Energy, and a major Irish beverage manufacturer. Leadership includes founder/CEO Oliver Lawal (Past-President of IUVA) and CTO/co-founder Dr. Jennifer Pagán, recipient of the 2025 Bayh-Dole Coalition American Innovator Award.

Name

AquiSense Technologies

Legal name

AquiSense Incorporated

Website

https://aquisense.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AquiSense Technologies designs and manufactures UV-C LED-based disinfection systems for water, air, and surface treatment, serving municipal water utilities, industrial manufacturers (beverage, pharmaceutical, oil & gas), OEMs, and humanitarian organizations across global markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

UV-C LED Water Disinfection Systems

NAICS

Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing (334517), Industrial and Commercial Fan and Blower and Air Purification Equipment Manufacturing (333413)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Industrial & Commercial Fans & Blowers & Air Purifing Equip (3564)

akta.pro primary industry

Disinfection & Oxidation (Chlorine/Chloramine, UV, Ozone, AOP) (EUANABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disinfection & Pathogen Control (UV/Chlorine/Ozone) (EUANADAI), UV Germicidal Light (UV-C) & HVAC Disinfection Systems (HSAOAIAI), Disinfection & Surface Decontamination (Wipes, Sprays, Fogging, UV Robots) (HLAHANAD)

Keywords

• UV-C LED disinfection
• Water treatment systems
• UV disinfection equipment
• Air and surface sanitization
• Municipal water treatment

Headquarters

HQ city

Erlanger

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. UV-C LED Water Treatment Systems (PearlAqua): Sale of UV-C LED disinfection hardware across three platform tiers: PearlAqua Micro (point-of-use), PearlAqua Deca (point-of-entry/residential/commercial), and PearlAqua Kilo/Tera (industrial/municipal scale). Hardware sales are one-time capital purchases with long replacement intervals (5+ years), supplemented by lamp module replacements.
2. Research Tools (PearlLab): Sale and rental of UV-C LED laboratory research instruments (PearlLab Beam, PearlLab Micro, PearlLab ThinFilm) to universities, research institutions, and industrial R&D labs. Short-term rental options are also offered for researchers with temporary needs.
3. OEM Component and Licensing: Supply of UV-C LED reactor modules and systems to OEM partners who integrate AquiSense products into their own branded water treatment, beverage, pharmaceutical, aerospace, and consumer products. Revenue derived from volume component sales to technology integration partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AquiSense Technologies designs, manufactures, and sells UV-C LED-based disinfection systems for water, air, and surface treatment. Its core PearlAqua platform spans point-of-use (Micro), point-of-entry residential/commercial (Deca), and industrial/municipal (Kilo/Tera) tiers; the PearlLab line provides UV research instruments to laboratories; and the PearlAero line covers air and surface disinfection. Products are sold directly to enterprises, municipalities, and OEMs who embed them into their own water treatment, beverage, pharmaceutical, aerospace, and humanitarian systems.

Product overview

AquiSense Technologies offers a comprehensive portfolio of UV-C LED disinfection solutions organized into three product lines: PearlAqua (water treatment), PearlLab (research tools), and PearlAero (air/surface treatment). The PearlAqua platform, introduced in 2012 as the world's first UV-C LED water disinfection product, spans three tiers—PearlAqua Micro (compact point-of-use integration), PearlAqua Deca (residential point-of-entry systems), and PearlAqua Kilo/Tera (industrial and municipal scale disinfection). The PearlLab research tools include Beam, Micro, and ThinFilm Beam for UV dose response studies. The company also offers air and surface disinfection solutions through the PearlAero line. All products use mercury-free UV-C LED technology with benefits including instant on/off operation, unlimited cycling, compact footprint, and temperature-independent performance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PearlAqua: World's first UV-C LED product line for water disinfection, introduced in 2012. Includes PearlAqua Micro, PearlAqua Deca, PearlAqua Kilo, and PearlAqua Tera platforms for point-of-use, point-of-entry, and municipal water treatment.
• PearlLab
• PearlAqua Micro
• PearlAqua Deca
• PearlAqua Kilo and Tera
• PearlAero
• UVinaire

Products and services

• PearlAqua Water Treatment Platform World's first UV-C LED water disinfection product line spanning three tiers (PearlAqua Micro for point-of-use integration, PearlAqua Deca for residential point-of-entry, and PearlAqua Kilo/Tera for industrial and municipal scale). Offers instant full-intensity power, unlimited cycling, remote start/stop, and no heat transfer to process fluid, sold to enterprises, municipalities, and OEM partners across residential, commercial, industrial, and aerospace applications.
• PearlAqua Micro World's smallest UV disinfection system creating the Micro UV category, designed for point-of-use integration with validated UV-C LED disinfection performance and patented flow-cell design. Features configurable flow rates, flexible integration options, optional UV intensity monitoring, and an AutoMate model with integrated flow sensor for automated treatment. Sold to OEMs and partners for embedding into water dispensers, disaster relief units, aerospace systems, and remote community water access programs.
• PearlAqua MicroA Compact UV-C LED point-of-use disinfection module designed for OEM integration into water dispensers and similar applications. Features instant on/off capability and a small footprint enabling seamless integration into countertop and freestanding dispensers for offices, hospitals, schools, and public spaces. Sold to OEM partners such as Quaba (Italy) as an optional UV disinfection module.
• PearlAqua Deca World's first UV-C LED Point-of-Entry residential system designed for whole-home disinfection. Features UV intensity monitoring, Dynamic Power Control for intermittent flows, a 5-year lamp replacement interval, and low maintenance without fragile lamp handling. Sold to homeowners seeking chemical-free, low-maintenance UV water disinfection for drinking water safety.
• PearlAqua Deca 30C Point-of-entry/point-of-use UV-C LED system designed for higher flow rate applications including showers, soda machines, RVs, boats, and tiny homes. Compact design ideal for mobile and decentralized water treatment systems. Deployed by OEM partners including Resylia (COM-W mobile water purification for disaster relief), WaterStep (WOWCart emergency response), and BeyondBlue/Innovation: Africa (Uganda community water access).
• PearlAqua Kilo Large-scale UV-C LED product platform for industrial and municipal water disinfection. Features replaceable LED lamp module with stable UV-C output power, advanced cooling, remote I/O interface for analytics, real-time UV intensity monitoring, instant on/off with unlimited cycling, and flow rates up to 6 MGD (22,712 m³/day). The first and only UV-C LED product to achieve U.S. EPA UVDGM validation and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61-2024 certification. Sold to municipal water utilities, beverage manufacturers, energy utilities, and water reuse operators.
• PearlAqua Tera World's largest UV-C LED product platform for municipal water disinfection. Full-scale reactor designed for outdoor municipal water treatment with flow rates up to 6 MGD (22,712 m³/day), featuring advanced thermal management, replaceable LED lamp module, and optional PearlWiper self-cleaning feature. Deployed at Halifax Water (Eastern Passage), Las Vegas Valley Water District, Southern Nevada Water Authority, CETAQUA Nueva Sucina (Spain), and NV Energy power generation stations.
• PearlLab Beam Compact UV-C LED collimated beam device for laboratory dose-response research. Features narrow-band emission with selectable wavelengths (235nm, 255nm, 265nm, 280nm, 310nm, 365nm), uniform irradiation up to 60mm Petri dishes, active temperature control, and up to 10,000 hours LED lifetime. Available in single, dual, and triple wavelength configurations. Sold and rented to universities, pharmaceutical R&D, government research institutions, and industrial testing laboratories.
• PearlLab Micro Compact flow-through or batch operation research system with interchangeable USB UV-C LED lamp modules and dimming control. Designed for laboratory and field research, wavelength effectiveness studies, photopolymerization testing, and fluorescent slides. Features wavelengths from 255nm on thermally managed boards.
• PearlLab ThinFilm Beam UV-C LED research tool providing uniform fluence delivery to ultra-low UV transmittance process fluids. Designed for testing and processing pharmaceutical fluids with low UVT or applications requiring very high UV doses. Features replaceable LED lamp module (265-280nm) and single-use quartz flow cell.
• PearlAero Micro UV-C LED air disinfection system for small confined rooms, recirculating air-flow systems, research labs, food and beverage process rooms, humidifiers, and fume hood odor control. Uses precise UV disinfection with innovative LED reactor design.
• UV-C LED Surface Disinfection UV-C LED surface disinfection products using UV-C wavelengths (200-280nm) to reduce and destroy harmful bacteria and pathogens on surfaces and PPE equipment. Features instant on/off with no wait time and zero heat transfer.

Quantifiable outcome

• E. coli reduced up to 6-log (99.9999%) at 15 mJ/cm² UV fluence in horticulture irrigation water treatment (PearlLab Beam and PearlAqua Deca systems)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability1 record

Feature8 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.

• GlitrevannverketflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian municipal water utility supplying drinking water to 160,000 people. Partnered with AquiSense and Rambøll for a pilot program at the Setervann water treatment facility, evaluating PearlAqua Kilo for large-scale UV-C LED water disinfection. AquiSense's first European municipal-scale deployment and first large-scale overseas installation.
• RambøllcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDanish engineering consultancy (18,000+ experts globally) working with Glitrevannverket and AquiSense to assess technical, operative, and economic performance of UV-C LED technology for Norwegian municipal water systems.
• Halifax WaterflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal water utility in Halifax, Canada. Partnered with Dalhousie University and AquiSense on the world's first full-scale UV-C LED reactor for municipal wastewater treatment, installed at the Eastern Passage facility since January 2024. Validated that UV-C LED technology performs equal to or better than conventional mercury systems.
• Dalhousie UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner led by Dr. Graham Gagnon at the Centre for Water Resources Studies, with support from NSERC Alliance Advantage grant. Validated UV-C LED technology for municipal wastewater disinfection; published findings in Water Research X. Research demonstrated >3 log reduction of total coliform at full scale.
• Resylia GmbHcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerGerman disaster relief systems manufacturer integrating PearlAqua Deca 30C into the COM-W mobile water purification unit. The combined system provides 14,000+ liters of clean water per day from any non-saline source for humanitarian emergency response.
• QuabacoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerItalian manufacturer of premium water dispensers integrating PearlAqua MicroA as an optional UV disinfection module ('UV Kit') on countertop and freestanding dispensers for offices, hospitals, schools, and public spaces.
• AXF SolutionssupportingOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerUK technology developer partnered with Red Proyecto Gente Foundation (FRPG) to integrate PearlAqua Micro units into bio-organic water filtration systems for remote rainforest and Andean communities in Colombia, providing 80+ liters/day per household.
• Red Proyecto Gente Foundation (FRPG)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization in Colombia implementing off-grid water disinfection systems using UV-C LED PearlAqua Micro in remote communities in rainforests and Andean regions. Programs serve 20-40 families over 6-month technology transfer periods.
• Innovation: AfricasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization bringing solar energy and water infrastructure to rural Africa. Partnered with BeyondBlue and AquiSense to deploy PearlAqua Deca 30C systems in Mbale, Uganda, providing clean water to 2,500 people.
• BeyondBluesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO supporting sustainable development projects in underserved communities. Partnered with Innovation: Africa and AquiSense to install PearlAqua Deca 30C systems in Uganda with remote monitoring capabilities.
• WaterStepsupportingOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLouisville, KY-based NGO providing Water-on-Wheels Cart (WOWCart) mobile water treatment for disaster relief. AquiSense provides PearlAqua Deca units integrated into emergency response carts deployed by EPA-recognized program.
• LeidoscoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLeidos integrated PearlAqua Micro units into the Exploratory Potable Water Dispenser for NASA's International Space Station, providing astronauts aboard the ISS with clean drinking water using AquiSense UV-C LED technology.
• CETAQUA Water Technology CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater technology center in Spain co-financing the LIFE WARRIOR project with AquiSense to deploy PearlAqua Kilo at the Nueva Sucina water reuse plant in Murcia, Spain for agricultural irrigation. Contributed to demonstrated 15% cost reduction and 35% CO2 reduction.
• NV EnergysupportingOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerEnergy utility provider partnered with AquiSense to deploy two PearlAqua Kilo systems for cooling water reuse at the Chuck Lenzie and Harry Allen generation stations in Las Vegas, Nevada, enabling water reuse in a water-scarce region.
• International Light Technologies (ILT)supportingTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration with ILT to offer advanced UV sensors and optometers alongside the PearlLab Beam, creating an integrated UV research package for laboratories. ILT manufactures UV sensors optimized for key disinfection wavelengths.
• Norwegian Institute of Public HealthsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartly funded the Glitrevannverket pilot project evaluating UV-C LED technology for Norwegian municipal water treatment, providing institutional validation alongside Rambøll engineering analysis.
• Nikkiso Co LtdsupportingTechnology or IntegrationFormer parent company (acquired AquiSense in 2016) remains a strategic partner in Japan for regional production and sales distribution. Nikkiso, a Japanese UV-C LED device manufacturer, sold substantially all of AquiSense assets back to management and employees in 2025, maintaining a collaborative relationship in the Japanese domestic market.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Xylem (Wedeco): Xylem's Wedeco brand is one of the largest global suppliers of UV disinfection systems for municipal drinking water and wastewater. Both companies sell UV-based water disinfection systems to municipal and industrial customers, but Wedeco's portfolio is dominated by mercury-lamp technology across a much broader water-treatment franchise.
• Trojan Technologies (Veralto): Trojan Technologies is a leading global UV water disinfection provider, owned by Veralto (spun off from Danaher), serving municipal drinking water, wastewater, and industrial customers. It is a direct comparable in UV water disinfection end markets but is significantly larger and anchored on mercury-lamp systems that AquiSense is positioning to displace.
• Halma plc (Hanovia): Halma's Hanovia subsidiary manufactures UV disinfection systems for industrial, pharmaceutical, and aquatic applications. Both AquiSense and Hanovia serve pharmaceutical water-for-injection and industrial process water with UV-based solutions, but Hanovia operates across a broader safety/environmental portfolio and uses mercury-lamp technology.
• Nikkiso Co., Ltd. Nikkiso Co. is a Japanese manufacturer of UV-C LED devices and AquiSense's former parent company (acquired AquiSense in 2016, divested in 2025). Nikkiso continues to be a strategic partner for Japanese distribution while also being a potential competitor at the device/chip level upstream of AquiSense's reactor systems.
• LG Innotek: LG Innotek is a major Korean manufacturer of UV-C LED chips for sterilization and water/air purification. As one of the leading UV-C LED device suppliers globally, LG Innotek is comparable to AquiSense's upstream component ecosystem and could become a downstream competitor if it expands into finished disinfection systems.

Direct peers

• Atlantium Technologies: Israel-based Atlantium Technologies produces UV disinfection systems for industrial water applications including food & beverage, pharmaceutical, and aquaculture. It is a direct competitor to AquiSense's PearlAqua Kilo platform in industrial process water markets, with comparable flow-rate, monitoring, and validation positioning.

Emerging players

• Watersprint AB: Swedish UV-C LED water disinfection company targeting point-of-use residential and commercial applications. Like AquiSense's PearlAqua Micro and Deca platforms, Watersprint focuses on mercury-free LED UV systems, but operates at a smaller scale and primarily in Nordic/European markets.
• UV Pure Technologies: Canadian manufacturer of UV water disinfection systems, including LED-based units, serving residential, commercial, and light-industrial markets. UV Pure is comparable to AquiSense's smaller PearlAqua platforms but has a more limited global footprint and lacks the large-scale municipal certification AquiSense has achieved.

Others

• Crystal IS (Asahi Kasei): Crystal IS, a subsidiary of Asahi Kasei, manufactures UV-C LED chips used in disinfection applications. Crystal IS sits upstream of AquiSense in the value chain, supplying LED devices that AquiSense integrates into reactors, while also enabling competing UV-C LED system integrators.
• International Light Technologies: ILT manufactures UV sensors, radiometers, and optometers and is a documented AquiSense partner for PearlLab Beam research systems. While not a direct competitor, ILT operates in adjacent UV measurement instrumentation used in disinfection research and validation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCI7XEu5Mpj5Y7K5avdLC9zw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aquisense-incorporated

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AquiSense Technologies