ABLE Labs

What ABLE Labs does

ABLE Labs (에이블랩스) is a South Korean lab automation company founded in February 2021 and headquartered in Songdo, Incheon, with a US subsidiary established in Boston/Cambridge in 2024. The company develops compact liquid handling robots powered by proprietary air-displacement pipetting (ADP) technology, targeting the underserved small-to-mid scale segment of biomedical research with a three-tier product lineup: NOTABLE (1- and 8-channel entry-level), NOTABLE96 (96-channel high-throughput at 5,500+ wells/hour), and SUITABLE (flagship 8-span open platform with API-based integration and ODM/OEM support). All products run on Windy, a proprietary no-code GUI software enabling drag-and-drop protocol design with verified CV < 4% precision at 1 µL, differentiating the company from both high-cost global incumbents (Hamilton, Tecan, PerkinElmer) and low-cost open-source alternatives.

The company serves pharmaceutical R&D (e.g., Samsung Biologics, Bioneer), academic research (KAIST, Pusan National University), government research institutes (KRIBB, KRICT), and diagnostic companies, with more than 40 institutions deployed. Revenue mechanics are anchored on one-time hardware sales priced at approximately 50% of incumbent alternatives (NOTABLE around KRW 30M vs. KRW 100-300M for global systems), supplemented by professional services including IQ/OQ/PQ validation and FSE-driven installation. A Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) subscription bundling hardware and Windy software is planned but not yet commercialized; ODM/OEM custom development and accessories/consumables form additional streams. Distribution is direct enterprise field sales in Korea complemented by a global partner/distributor network for international markets, with demand capture through the website (demo requests, catalog downloads, newsletter subscription) and international exhibitions (CES, SLAS, BIO KOREA, BIO USA).

Go-to-market is sales-led, anchored on 30-minute expert consultations, on-site or remote live demos, and hands-on Proof-of-Concept trials using the customer's own protocols prior to purchase decision — a model that has driven reported outcomes including ~70% sample prep time reduction, 3× throughput vs. manual operations, and KRW 500M annual savings for Bioneer. The company has raised approximately KRW 5.2 billion in cumulative pre-Series A funding from FuturePlay, Mirae Asset Ventures, and Wonik Investment Partners, is currently raising a Series A targeting KRW 12 billion for global expansion, and has secured Korean government designations (2025 Global Infant Unicorn, MOTIE biofoundry project lead, ISO 13485/9001 certifications, MFDS in-vitro diagnostic manufacturing license).

Name

ABLE Labs

Legal name

주식회사 에이블랩스

Website

https://ablelabsinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ABLE Labs is a South Korean lab automation company developing compact, no-code liquid handling robots (NOTABLE, NOTABLE96, SUITABLE) for biomedical research. It serves pharma R&D, academic labs, and diagnostic companies with affordable alternatives to global incumbents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laboratory Automation Equipment

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821)

akta.pro primary industry

Liquid Handling & Laboratory Automation (Pipettes, Robots, Workstations) (HLAGAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Laboratory Automation, Sample Prep & Liquid Handling (IVD Lab Diagnostics) (HLAHAAAN), Lab Automation, Instrument Control & Workflow Orchestration Software (HLAGAJAG), Lab Middleware, Instrument Connectivity & Automation (HLACAMAI)

Keywords

• Liquid handling robots
• Lab automation
• Automated pipetting systems
• Biomedical research equipment
• High-throughput screening

Headquarters

HQ city

Incheon

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of liquid handling automation robots (NOTABLE, NOTABLE96, SUITABLE) and accessories/consumables. One-time capital purchase model. Prices positioned at approximately 50% of incumbent global vendors. Government R&D funding eligible.
2. Software Subscription (Windy / RaaS): Cloud-based software platform (Windy) for protocol design and execution. RaaS (Robot-as-a-Service) subscription model planned, bundling hardware and software as a robot service offering.
3. Professional Services: Installation, on-boarding, IQ/OQ/PQ validation support, and technical training services. Field Service Engineer (FSE) support including remote and on-site visits.
4. ODM/OEM Custom Development: Custom development services for OEM/ODM partners, tailoring liquid handling systems to specific workflow requirements. SUITABLE platform specifically mentioned as ODM/OEM compatible.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ABLE Labs designs, manufactures, and sells liquid handling automation robots for biomedical research laboratories. Its product portfolio spans the entry-level NOTABLE (1- and 8-channel pipetting), the mid-tier NOTABLE96 (96-channel high-throughput screening at 5,500+ wells/hour), and the flagship SUITABLE (8-span independent channel open platform with API-based third-party integration). All robots are controlled by the proprietary Windy no-code GUI software. The company also provides IQ/OQ/PQ validation services, accessories/consumables, and ODM/OEM custom development.

Product overview

ABLE Labs offers a 3-tier liquid handling robot portfolio (NOTABLE, NOTABLE96, SUITABLE) powered by the proprietary Windy no-code GUI software. The lineup progresses from entry-level 1/8-channel automation (NOTABLE) to 96-channel high-throughput screening (NOTABLE96) to flagship open-platform 8-span independent control with API integration (SUITABLE). All products share the drag-and-drop Windy interface for unified user experience. The company provides integrated lab automation solutions combining hardware robots with external equipment, plus validation services for regulated environments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NOTABLE: Entry-level liquid handling automation robot supporting 1-channel and 8-channel pipetting. Designed for academic labs, biotech companies, and diagnostic companies as first automation choice. Features drag-and-drop no-code software, CV < 4% precision at 1µL.
• NOTABLE96
• SUITABLE
• Windy

Products and services

• NOTABLE Entry-level liquid handling robot supporting 1-channel and 8-channel pipetting for small-scale research labs, biotech companies, and diagnostic companies. Features drag-and-drop no-code Windy GUI, CV less than 4% precision at 1µL, and 1-hour setup without coding. Government R&D funding eligible.
• NOTABLE96 High-throughput 96-channel liquid handling robot for large-scale screening and pharmaceutical R&D. Processes 5,500+ wells per hour with simultaneous 96-channel dispensing, sharing the same Windy no-code interface as NOTABLE for seamless scaling.
• SUITABLE Flagship open-platform liquid handling system with 8-span independent channel control, 24 deck slots, API-based external equipment integration, and ODM/OEM extensibility. Domestic production and support.
• Windy No-code Software GUI-based no-code protocol design software with a 3-step wizard (Labware setup, Well selection, Options & Run). Supports Transfer, Mix, Serial Dilution, and other operations with local file storage, protocol save/reuse, and cloud/server-ready API architecture.
• Accessories & Consumables Tip boxes, magnetic modules, and other consumables for the NOTABLE series liquid handlers. Magnetic module supports bead-based extraction workflows.
• Lab Automation Solutions Integrated automation solutions connecting NOTABLE liquid handlers with external equipment and third-party systems via API. Combines hardware robots with software into unified lab automation workflows, including robot arm integration and Biosero-style automation cases.
• IQ/OQ/PQ Validation Support Installation Qualification, Operational Qualification, and Performance Qualification validation support services providing validation reports for diagnostic companies and regulated environments.
• ODM/OEM Custom Development Custom development services for OEM/ODM partners, tailoring liquid handling systems to specific workflow requirements on the SUITABLE open platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• ~70% reduction in sample preparation time
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Portrai (포트래이)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2025Strategic MOU to jointly develop Spatial Transcriptomics sample preprocessing automation (Visium HD-based). Combines ABLE Labs' intelligent liquid handling robot with Portrai's spatial biology analysis algorithms. Goal: integrated workflow achieving 'high-reproducibility data production → AI model enhancement → target success rate improvement' closed loop for precision drug development.
• Johns Hopkins University (존스홉킨스대학교)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2024Collaboration under GITCC (Global Industry Technology Cooperation Center) project. Jointly developing 'NextGen OrganoidScan' — a next-generation AI-based organoid drug efficacy evaluation platform. ABLE Labs develops automated culturing and drug efficacy evaluation systems. Project runs through July 2027, extendable to 2029 if selected as outstanding.
• Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH, 한국생산기술연구원)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024KITECH introduced NOTABLE for their lab automation workflows. Active case study of NOTABLE deployment in a national research institute setting.
• BioResearch AI (바이오리서치에이아이)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2023MOU signed December 2023 for 'Pharma 4.0' innovation acceleration. Combines ABLE Labs' lab automation with BioResearch AI's AI-driven data analytics platform for end-to-end automation from experiment design through data-driven decision making in drug discovery. Jointly targeting next-generation pharma-biotech infrastructure for global market expansion.
• Aronteer (아론티어)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating together in the Ministry of Industry's AI-based target-specific drug manufacturing autonomous lab technology development project. Aronteer's AI designs optimal ADC drug candidates while ABLE Labs' intelligent robots perform 24/7 precision verification experiments. Project running through 2029.
• CurevitBio (큐빛바이오)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in GITCC NextGen OrganoidScan project. Developing LFM (Light Field Microscopy)-based ultra-fast 3D imaging system for organoid evaluation. Combined with ABLE Labs' automated liquid handling for integrated drug evaluation platform.
• Korea Institute of Chemical Research (KRICT, 한국화학연구원)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in multiple projects including GITCC organoid evaluation platform and automation journey case study. KRICT is both a customer and development partner for lab automation solutions.
• Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST, 광주과학기술원)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in GITCC NextGen OrganoidScan project. Contributes LFM-based imaging technology to the integrated organoid drug evaluation platform alongside ABLE Labs' automation systems.
• A&L Inc (에이앤아이)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of consortium for national project on biofoundry automation liquid handling robot development (Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy). Together with Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI, 한국전기연구원), developing biofoundry-specific automation liquid handling robot technology.
• Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI, 한국전기연구원)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of consortium for national biofoundry liquid handling robot development project (Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy). Contributing to system integration and automation standards for biofoundry applications.
• MUST Accelerator (머스트액셀러레이터)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSelected for MUST.CONNECT 2024 global expansion program alongside 7 other startups. NTU Singapore partnership for joint R&D. ABLE Labs participated in Singapore roadshow and global investor meetings through this program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Hamilton Company: US/Swiss manufacturer of precision liquid handling robots (Microlab STAR, Nimbus, etc.) serving pharmaceutical, biotech and clinical diagnostics labs. Most direct global incumbent competing against ABLE Labs' NOTABLE/NOTABLE96/SUITABLE on the same workflows.
• Tecan: Swiss liquid handling and laboratory automation leader (Freedom EVO, Fluent, Cavro) with a strong installed base in pharma R&D and diagnostics. Directly comparable product category and target customers to ABLE Labs.
• Beckman Coulter Life Sciences (Danaher): Major manufacturer of automated liquid handlers (Biomek i-Series), plate readers and lab automation platforms. One of the three global incumbents ABLE Labs positions against in pharma R&D and academic markets.
• PerkinElmer (Revvity): Global life sciences and diagnostics vendor offering the JANUS liquid handling platform and integrated lab automation. Comparable product and customer base in pharma and academic research.
• Gilson: Pipette and liquid handling automation specialist (PIPETMAX, GX-271) serving analytical chemistry and life sciences. Overlaps with ABLE Labs in benchtop liquid handling workflows.
• Analytik Jena: German manufacturer of laboratory analytical instruments including liquid handling automation. Comparable mid-sized life science tools vendor competing across price and regional tiers.

Emerging players

• Opentrons Labworks: Open-source, low-cost pipetting robot maker (OT-2) targeting academic and small-lab users with a Python protocol ecosystem. Competes most directly with ABLE Labs' entry-level NOTABLE on price and accessibility.
• Andrew Alliance (Waters): Pipetting robot + cloud software platform acquired by Waters. Comparable combination of compact liquid handling hardware with no-code software, similar to ABLE Labs' NOTABLE + Windy strategy.
• Formulatrix: Laboratory automation provider offering liquid handling and protein crystallization robots. Comparable niche focus on researcher-centric lab automation and custom workflows.

Broad incumbents

• SPT Labtech (formerly Biosero): Provider of lab automation hardware and software orchestration (Green Button Go scheduler, which is integrated with ABLE Labs' portfolio). Overlaps in workflow scheduling and consumable-handling robotics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ablelabs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ablelabsinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Compliance19 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors9 records

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about ABLE Labs