Lilian Labs

What Lilian Labs does

Lilian Labs GmbH is a German technology company founded in 2016 in Braunschweig by three physicists (Dr. Sebastian Döring, Dr.-Ing. Alexander Rohr, Dr.-Ing. Torsten Rabe) who commercialised research from TU Braunschweig, University of Göttingen and the Fraunhofer Institute Potsdam into a microfluidic water-analysis platform branded LILIAN. The company's core product is a one-button handheld photometer that, in roughly 60 seconds and without manual sample preparation, simultaneously measures pH, free/combined/total chlorine and additional parameters via disposable SensoStick microchannels containing DPD reagents. The system is positioned as ISO 7393-2 and DIN 19643 compliant and certified for accuracy by an independent German institute; the second-generation LILIAN2 device launched at Interbad 2024 added cross-platform mobile support, two-factor authentication, offline measurement and saline-water compensation.

The LILIAN system is sold as a three-part stack — handheld device (one-time hardware sale), SensoStick consumables (recurring usage-based revenue) and the LILIAN Manager cloud platform with iOS/Android apps (freemium with paid API/alarm modules). Lilian Labs does not sell direct to end customers; instead, the company distributes exclusively through a network of regional partners that cover Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, the Benelux, the Nordics and Iceland, with channel partners also acting as GDPR data-processing controllers in their territories. End-customers are public swimming pools, municipal aquatic centres, hotels, resorts, thermal spas and industrial water-treatment sites — with named references including Düsseldorf Bädergesellschaft, Center Parcs, Tropical Islands, Holstentherme Kaltenkirchen and the Bavarian School of Public Administration. The company has cumulatively delivered over 1,000 LILIAN devices and more than 5 million SensoSticks across Europe, generating 20M+ measured water parameters and approximately €1.0 million in disclosed funding from Volksbank BraWo in 2019. Lilian Labs is privately held, founder-controlled and operates with a headcount of 1-10, signalling a deliberately capital-efficient scale-up.

Name

Lilian Labs

Legal name

Lilian Labs GmbH

Website

https://lilianlabs.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lilian Labs GmbH develops and sells the LILIAN microfluidic water analysis system for swimming pools, hotels, industrial water treatment sites, and regulatory bodies across Europe. The platform combines a handheld photometer, disposable SensoStick consumables, and the LILIAN Manager cloud software, distributed exclusively through regional channel partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Quality Analysis Instrumentation

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEUANAJAB

Laboratory Testing & Analytical Services (in-house/contract labs; microbiology, metals, organics)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Water & Wastewater Utilities/Water Quality Testing, Compliance & Reporting

SECONDARYEUANAIAB

Meter Data Management & Analytics (MDM, validation/estimation/editing, usage insights)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Water & Wastewater Utilities/Customer Metering, Billing & Water Retail Services

Keywords

• Water analysis systems
• Microfluidic photometers
• Pool water testing
• Water quality monitoring
• Disposable test consumables

Headquarters

HQ city

Braunschweig

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. LILIAN hardware device sales: The LILIAN water analysis handheld device is sold as the core hardware product. Customers purchase the device upfront; it is a one-time capital expenditure with no recurring hardware costs beyond accessories. The company also sells waterproof and dustproof smartphones as accessories.
2. SensoStick consumables: SensoSticks are single-use disposable measurement modules (comparable to cuvette-and-reagent combinations) that must be purchased on an ongoing basis. Each SensoStick type targets specific parameters (chlorine, bromine, acid capacity, cyanuric acid, chlorine dioxide). This creates recurring consumable revenue tied to usage frequency.
3. Premium app features (LILIAN Manager): The LILIAN Manager app is free for core functionality. Premium functions such as API setup and the alarm system are paid digital add-on services. This creates an upsell/land-and-expand revenue stream from customers seeking advanced integration and alerting capabilities.
4. Professional services: The company offers software installation, setup, and user training services. Terms of service reference on-site commissioning, acceptance testing, and customer cooperation obligations. Professional services provide an additional revenue stream alongside product sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Lilian Labs develops, manufactures, and distributes the LILIAN water analysis system: a handheld microfluidic photometer device that uses disposable SensoStick consumables to measure pH, chlorine (free, combined, total), bromine, chlorine dioxide, acid capacity, and cyanuric acid in approximately 60 seconds, paired with the LILIAN Manager cloud platform and mobile app for digital documentation, limit value monitoring, and API integration.

Product overview

Lilian Labs offers the LILIAN water analysis system consisting of three core components: (1) the LILIAN/LILIAN2 handheld measuring device with microfluidic technology, (2) disposable SensoStick test strips in multiple variants for different parameters (chlorine, bromine, pH, acid capacity, cyanuric acid, chlorine dioxide), and (3) the LILIAN Manager cloud platform with companion mobile app for data management and documentation. The system delivers precise water quality analysis in ~60 seconds through automated sample preparation, eliminating manual chemical handling. Premium API integration enables connectivity to external digital platforms. Products are developed and manufactured in Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LILIAN System: The core water analysis system consisting of the LILIAN handheld measurement device, SensoSticks (disposable test sticks), and LILIAN Manager software/app.
• SensoSticks
• LILIAN2
• LILIAN Manager
• LILIAN Pro
• Wave

Products and services

• LILIAN Water Analysis Device
• LILIAN2 (Second-generation device) Second-generation handheld water analysis device featuring Android and Apple platform compatibility, reduced seal replacement, battery indicator, digital operating diary, optional two-factor authentication, and offline measurement with up to 10 memory slots for direct measurements without registration. Designed for swimming pool operators, hotels, and industrial water treatment.
• LILIAN Pro Photometer Professional photometer using microfluidic measurement technology for high-precision water analysis. Certified accuracy by an independent German institute. ISO 7393-2 and DIN 19643 compliant. Targeted at professional water analysis applications.
• Wave Photometer Photometer using microfluidic measurement technology, offering simultaneous measurement of pH, free, combined, and total chlorine within approximately 60 seconds. ISO 7393-2 and DIN 19643 compliant. Targeted at water analysis professionals.
• SensoSticks (Disposable Test Consumables) Disposable precision microchannel cuvettes filled with DPD reagents. Available in multiple variants (Pool CL, Pool CL HR, Bromine, Chlorine Dioxide, Acid Capacity, XXL Acid Capacity, CYA/Cyanuric Acid) for measuring different water parameters with the LILIAN device. Use approximately 40x less reagent per measurement than conventional methods. Consumable product generating recurring revenue.
• LILIAN Manager (Cloud Platform) Cloud-based dashboard application for real-time water quality data access, limit value monitoring, automatic alerts, contact management, and measurement organization by facilities and locations. Standardized API enables integration with external digital platforms and data centers. Free core functionality with paid premium features.
• LILIAN Manager App (Mobile) Mobile application (iOS and Android) for conducting measurements, viewing results, and data entry. Available via Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Supports direct measurements without registration with up to 10 memory slots, offline measurement with later pool assignment, and optional two-factor authentication.

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Syclope ElectroniquecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distribution partner for the French market. Syclope Electronique resells and distributes the LILIAN system and SensoSticks to swimming pool operators, hotels, and aquatic centres throughout France. The partnership is strategic and longstanding — the two companies jointly won the Innovation Trophy 2024 at the PDD conference in France.
• Dr. Nüsken Chemie GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor distribution partner covering Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia), Austria, and Switzerland. Specialises in water treatment chemicals and pool management solutions. Dr. Nüsken also serves as a GDPR data processing responsible body for customers in these territories. Actively supports sales through industry seminars (e.g., Autumn seminar with LFT BDS in Saxony).
• WTG Deutschland GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Germany (Soest region). WTG Deutschland provides water technology solutions and resells LILIAN products to pool operators in its territory. Also a GDPR data processing responsible body for German customers.
• Niederer Schneider AGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Switzerland. Resells LILIAN system and SensoSticks to Swiss pool and spa operators. Also a GDPR data processing responsible body for Swiss customers.
• VDH Water TechnologycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for the Netherlands and Belgium. VDH Water Technology is a water technology specialist that resells LILIAN products in Benelux markets. They hosted Lilian Labs at the Swimming Pool Industry Day 2025 in Houten, Netherlands.
• EnviroProcess Sweden ABcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner covering the Nordic market (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland). Resells LILIAN products across Scandinavia. Also a GDPR data processing responsible body for customers in these Nordic countries.
• Laugin ehfcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Iceland. Resells LILIAN system and SensoSticks to Icelandic pool and spa operators. Also a GDPR data processing responsible body for Icelandic customers.
• Team AquaTec / Aquatec Jünger GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distribution partner for Germany (Bavaria). Aquatec Jünger GmbH established the partnership with the Bavarian School of Public Administration (BVS) and facilitated the donation of a LILIAN system for training purposes — demonstrating a marketing/partnership role in addition to pure distribution.
• Van den Heuvel WatertechnologieminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a GDPR data processing responsible body for Belgium and Netherlands. Likely a distribution partner for the Benelux market, though distribution terms are less explicitly described than for other partners.
• Krall KunststoffrecyclingminorOthersSustainability service provider that handles recycling of used SensoSticks. Certified for the United Kingdom market, processing polymer materials from used SensoSticks for reuse in new product manufacturing. Between 2023 and 2025, this partnership saved approximately 55 tonnes of CO2.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Team AquaTec (Aquatec Jünger GmbH): Bavarian pool technology provider and Lilian Labs partner for Bavaria; sells pool equipment and consumables to municipal and commercial pool operators in southern Germany.
• Van den Heuvel Watertechnologie: Benelux water-technology specialist listed as a GDPR processing partner for Belgium and Netherlands; operates in the same pool/process-water measurement and treatment space as Lilian Labs.
• VDH Water Technology: Benelux water-technology specialist and Lilian Labs partner for the Netherlands and Belgium; sells pool and process-water measurement equipment to overlapping European customers.
• Niederer Schneider AG: Swiss water-technology distributor and Lilian Labs' exclusive Swiss partner; supplies pool and industrial water-quality instrumentation in Switzerland.
• Laugin ehf: Icelandic water-technology distributor and Lilian Labs partner for Iceland; sells pool and water-quality equipment to Icelandic pool operators.
• WTG Deutschland GmbH: German water-technology distributor and Lilian Labs partner for the Soest region; supplies pool operators with treatment chemistry, dosing and complementary measurement products in Germany.
• EnviroProcess Sweden AB: Nordic water-technology distributor covering Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland; distributes Lilian Labs products and adjacent pool/industrial water-quality solutions in the Scandinavian market.

Broad incumbents

• Hach (Danaher): Global incumbent in water-quality analysis (photometers, reagents, LIMS) under Danaher. Competes in the broader analytical-instrument category that Lilian Labs targets and represents the large-scale competitive ceiling for any water-analysis startup.

Direct peers

• Syclope Electronique: French manufacturer of pool automation, water-quality analyzers and dosing systems. Exclusive distribution partner for Lilian Labs in France and direct competitor in the same European pool photometer market — co-winner with Lilian Labs of the 2024 Innovation Trophy.

Emerging players

• Dr. Nüsken Chemie GmbH: German water-treatment chemicals and pool-management solutions provider; Lilian Labs' exclusive distribution partner for NRW, Austria and Switzerland. Sells adjacent pool chemistry and water-analysis tools to overlapping municipal and hospitality customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lilianlabs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lilianlabs
• Instagraminstagram.com/lilian_labs

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Lilian Labs