AbbeLight
Abbelight SAS is a French life-sciences instrumentation company that develops modular super-resolution microscopy (SMLM nanoscopy) platforms, selling capital equipment, consumable reagent kits, and service plans to academic researchers, biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical-facility laboratories worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersCachan, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AbbeLight does
Abbelight SAS is a French life-sciences instrumentation company founded in 2016 and headquartered in Cachan (Paris region), that develops and commercializes super-resolution microscopy (nanoscopy) systems based on Single Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM). Its flagship SAFe platform is a modular, upgradable bioimaging system compatible with any inverted microscope, offered in four configurations (M45, M90, MN180, MN360) and integrating proprietary ASTER uniform illumination, DAISY detection, DONALD-based Ultimate 3D localization (achieving 15×15×15 nm³ isotropic precision), spectral demixing for simultaneous multi-color SMLM, and the NEO SAFe software suite for acquisition and quantitative analysis. Supporting the platform is a ready-to-use reagent and consumable line (Smart OmniCell Kit, Smart Imaging Kit, Smart Buffer Kit, Smart EVs Kit, Smart Fluorescent Calibration Sample) and tiered Care service plans. The technology was developed over a decade of academic research at CNRS / ISMO / Université Paris-Saclay and ESPCI Paris, and is supported by 90+ scientific publications with impact factors above 13.
Abbelight serves academic and fundamental researchers, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, medical facilities, and microbiology researchers, with an installed base of 100+ systems and 200+ users across 4 continents. Revenue is generated through capital equipment sales of the SAFe platform, recurring consumables (sold both via the shop.abbelight.com e-commerce channel and through direct sales), tiered annual Care service subscriptions (Care 1/2/3 and à la carte), NEO software licensing, and à la carte scientific support services. Distribution combines direct enterprise field sales supported by Field Applications Scientists with a global distributor and partner network. The company is privately held, backed by venture and growth equity (most recently a January 2026 Series B led by AVANT BIO) with co-founders Jean-Baptiste Marie (CEO), Nicolas Bourg (CTO), Sandrine Lévêque-Fort (Scientific Advisor), and Emmanuel Fort.
AbbeLight firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AbbeLight
- Legal name
- Abbelight SAS
- Website
- https://abbelight.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Abbelight SAS is a French life-sciences instrumentation company that develops modular super-resolution microscopy (SMLM nanoscopy) platforms, selling capital equipment, consumable reagent kits, and service plans to academic researchers, biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical-facility laboratories worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AbbeLight industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Scientific Bioimaging Instrumentation
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Scientific Data Management & Data Platforms (SDMS/Data Lakehouse for R&D) (HLAGAJAC)
Keywords
Where AbbeLight is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cachan
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
AbbeLight business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- SAFe Platform Hardware Sales: Modular bioimaging platforms sold in four configurations (SAFe M45, M90, MN180, MN360) designed for different resolution and imaging modality needs. Platforms are adaptable to any inverted microscope and upgradable over time.
- Reagents and Consumables: Recurring revenue from ready-to-use reagent kits including Smart OmniCell Kit, Smart Imaging Kit, Smart Buffer Kit, Smart Fluorescent Calibration Sample, and Smart EVs Kit. Consumables ordered through the AbbeLight e-shop.
- Service Plans (CARE Programs): Tiered instrument service plans (Care 1, Care 2, Care 3, and à la carte) covering repair parts, labor, travel, on-site assessment, warranty extension, and preventive maintenance. Generates recurring service revenue.
- Software Licensing: NEO SAFe Software Suite licensed as part of platform configuration or separately for data analysis. Provides acquisition, treatment, and analysis capabilities across all SMLM modalities.
- Scientific Support Services: Custom scientific support offered à la carte for specific project assistance including project definition, sample preparation, bioimaging, and data analysis.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Smart OmniCell Kit — all-in-one STORM & DNA-PAINT reagent kit |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Smart Imaging Kit — STORM & DNA-PAINT reagents with validated secondaries |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Smart Buffer Kit — QC-validated STORM buffer |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Smart Fluorescent Calibration Sample — reusable QC standard |
| Subscription | Annual | AbbeLight Care 1 — Basic service plan |
| Subscription | Annual | AbbeLight Care 2 — Standard service plan |
| Subscription | Annual | AbbeLight Care 3 — Premium service plan |
| Other | Multi-year contract | À la carte Scientific Support |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
AbbeLight product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AbbeLight designs, manufactures, and sells the modular SAFe bioimaging platform that combines advanced fluorescence microscopy with Single Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM) for super-resolution imaging down to 15x15x15 nm³ precision. The company also sells ready-to-use reagent kits (Smart OmniCell, Smart Imaging, Smart Buffer, Smart EVs) and the NEO SAFe software suite to provide an end-to-end workflow from sample preparation through quantitative 3D data analysis for life sciences researchers.
Product overview
AbbeLight offers the SAFe bioimaging platform, a modular system comprising four configurable setups (M45, M90, MN180, MN360) designed for fluorescence microscopy and Single Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM). The platform integrates hardware modules (SAFe Excitation, SAFe Detection, SAFe Nexus) with the NEO SAFe Software Suite to deliver end-to-end workflows from sample preparation through quantitative data analysis. Supporting consumables include Smart OmniCell, Smart Imaging, Smart Buffer, and Smart EVs kits, complemented by ASTER uniform illumination and Spectral Demixing technologies. The company also provides service Care Plans and an e-commerce shop for consumables.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Abbelight SAFe Platform: The Abbelight SAFe (Super-resolution Automated Fluorescence) bioimaging platform is the company's flagship upgradable modular imaging system compatible with all inverted microscopes, supporting fluorescence microscopy and Single Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM) up to nanoscale resolution. Includes SAFe Excitation, SAFe Detection, SAFe Nexus, and SAFe Neo Software Suite.
- Abbelight Smart Flow
- Abbelight SAFe Neo Software Suite
- Smart OmniCell Kit
- Smart Imaging Kit
- Smart Buffer Kit
- Smart Fluorescent Calibration Sample
- SAFe M45
- SAFe M90
- SAFe MN180
- SAFe MN360
Products and services
- Abbelight SAFe Platform
Quantifiable outcome
- 30× more data per acquisition compared to conventional SMLM systems due to ASTER uniform large field illumination
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use AbbeLight
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AbbeLight technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature8 records
AbbeLight partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)coreCNRS is France's national research agency and one of the world's most prestigious research organizations. AbbeLight was co-founded based on academic research conducted at CNRS (ISMO laboratory). Ongoing R&D collaboration with CNRS researchers including Sandrine Lévèque-Fort as CNRS Research Director and co-director of GDR ImaBio since 2017.
- ISMO (Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d'Orsay)coreISMO (CNRS / Université Paris-Saclay) is the academic laboratory where AbbeLight's core technology was developed. Nicolas Bourg conducted his PhD in Sandrine Lévêque-Fort's team at ISMO developing the 3D SMLM nanoscope. ISMO researchers continue to collaborate with AbbeLight and appear as co-authors on scientific publications.
- Université Paris-SaclaycoreUniversité Paris-Saclay is a major French university and research institution. AbbeLight maintains academic partnerships through this institution, with co-founders having ties to Paris-Saclay through ISMO laboratory.
- ESPCI Paris (École Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles)coreESPCI Paris is a prestigious French engineering school. Emmanuel Fort, co-founder of AbbeLight, is a professor at ESPCI Paris, PSL University, holding the AXA Chair in Biomedical Imaging at the Langevin Institute. Ongoing research collaboration in super-resolution microscopy and wave-matter interactions.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AbbeLight competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Oxford Nanoimaging (ONI): ONI develops the Nanoimager, a compact, benchtop single-molecule localization microscope (SMLM) targeting the same academic and pharma research customers as AbbeLight. ONI's product overlaps directly on super-resolution imaging and DNA-PAINT workflows, making it the closest stage-comparable direct competitor.
- LUMICKS: LUMICKS develops C-Trap and z-Movi single-molecule fluorescence and biophysics instruments used in pharma drug-discovery and academic research. The product portfolio overlaps with AbbeLight's SMLM-based biophysics use cases, particularly in molecular interaction and mechanistic studies.
Broad incumbents
- Leica Microsystems (Danaher): Leica's STELLARIS platform with STORM capability is the dominant super-resolution solution sold to pharma and academic core facilities. As part of Danaher, Leica bundles SMLM with broader confocal, light-sheet and EM workflows, making it the largest incumbent competitor in the same product category.
- Carl Zeiss Microscopy: Zeiss sells the ELYRA super-resolution system (PALM/SIM/STORM) into academic and pharma research labs. As a broad microscopy incumbent with deep core-facility relationships and large global service infrastructure, Zeiss competes with AbbeLight for high-end imaging budget allocations.
- Bruker Nano Surfaces: Bruker's Vutara super-resolution microscope targets the same single-molecule localization research applications as AbbeLight, particularly in structural biology and cellular biophysics. Bruker's broader AFM and nano-surface portfolio gives it enterprise reach that AbbeLight's narrower platform cannot match.
- Nikon Instruments: Nikon's N-STORM and related super-resolution solutions compete in the SMLM/nanoscopy category alongside AbbeLight's SAFe platform. Nikon's large installed base of inverted microscopes and Ti2 systems positions it as an incumbent in core facility purchasing decisions.
Emerging players
- PhaseView: PhaseView is a France-based microscopy company offering quantitative phase imaging and super-resolution solutions. Although smaller and earlier-stage than AbbeLight, it competes in the same European academic and research imaging market.
- CytoTronics: CytoTronics develops Pixelomics, a live-cell, high-throughput electronic imaging platform for cell biology. It represents an emerging alternative approach to high-content cell analysis that could substitute for some SMLM-based phenotyping workflows AbbeLight targets.
Others
- Hamamatsu Photonics: Hamamatsu supplies scientific cameras (Orca, Flash4), detectors and photonics components that are integral to SMLM/nanoscopy systems including AbbeLight's. As a key enabling supplier (and complementary seller of components), it is an ecosystem peer rather than a direct competitor.
- Molecular Devices (Danaher): Molecular Devices sells high-content imaging and screening platforms (ImageXpress) used in pharma drug discovery. While not a direct SMLM competitor, it competes for the same pharma screening and phenotyping budgets that AbbeLight is targeting with its single-cell phenotyping expansion.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AbbeLight social profiles
Digital presenceAbbeLight financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AbbeLight leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
AbbeLight funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AbbeLight M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AbbeLight
What does AbbeLight do?
AbbeLight designs, manufactures, and sells the modular SAFe bioimaging platform that combines advanced fluorescence microscopy with Single Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM) for super-resolution imaging down to 15x15x15 nm³ precision. The company also sells ready-to-use reagent kits (Smart OmniCell, Smart Imaging, Smart Buffer, Smart EVs) and the NEO SAFe software suite to provide an end-to-end workflow from sample preparation through quantitative 3D data analysis for life sciences researchers.
Is AbbeLight a public or private company?
AbbeLight is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was AbbeLight founded?
AbbeLight was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AbbeLight based?
AbbeLight is headquartered in Cachan, France, in the Europe region.
How does AbbeLight make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. SAFe Platform Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are reagents and Consumables, service Plans (CARE Programs), software Licensing and scientific Support Services.
Who are AbbeLight's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Oxford Nanoimaging (ONI) and LUMICKS. Broad incumbents are Leica Microsystems (Danaher), Carl Zeiss Microscopy, Bruker Nano Surfaces and Nikon Instruments. Emerging players are PhaseView and CytoTronics. Others are Hamamatsu Photonics and Molecular Devices (Danaher).
Does AbbeLight have an API?
No public API is recorded for AbbeLight.
What industry is AbbeLight in?
AbbeLight's product category is Scientific Bioimaging Instrumentation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAE, Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments, with a secondary code of HLAGAJAC, Scientific Data Management & Data Platforms (SDMS/Data Lakehouse for R&D). Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3826.