Microbium
Microbium is a Slovenian microbiological services and instrumentation company that combines proprietary automated water-quality detection hardware (MPN Analyser PRO, Micro Aquatest) with accredited laboratory testing and forensic contamination investigations for public water utilities, defense, and industrial customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersLjubljana, Slovenia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Microbium does
Microbium napredne tehnologije d.o.o. is a Slovenian private limited company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Trbovlje, with a BSL-2 microbiological laboratory in Ljubljana-Dobrunje opened in September 2025. The firm operates an integrated platform of microbiological laboratory services and proprietary monitoring hardware/software for water quality and contamination control. Core products include the Microbium® MPN Analyser PRO — an ISO 9308-2-compliant automated device for detection and quantification of E. coli and coliform bacteria in drinking, recreational and wastewater, using a 24-chamber chromogenic cartridge read by an LED sensor lid with results in 8 hours and a reusable, plastic-free design — plus the simpler presence/absence Micro Aquatest (AOAC-certified), the in-development reusable Microbium® ETC Analyser for Enterococcus sp. detection in wastewater, and a companion Android app (Microbium® MPN) for Bluetooth-connected result capture and reporting. Revenue is generated from three streams: (1) hardware sales of MPN Analyser kits (Starter and Advanced packages) and Micro Aquatest kits, (2) accredited laboratory services spanning antimicrobial efficacy testing (cosmetics, biocides, textiles/plastics, water disinfectants), forensic contamination control and prevention, and (3) integration and resale of Badger Meter s::can physical/chemical monitoring probes. Pricing is quote-based via direct contact, with free initial consultation, recurring consumable revenue from reagents/sample bottles, and co-financing from Slovenian/EU R&D grants (notably DEMO PILOTI NOO and RRI NOO 2023).
The company targets industrial and public-sector customers across water utilities (e.g., Abwasserverband Braunschweig in Germany, Gore District Council in New Zealand, JKP Grosuplje and JKP Prodnik in Slovenia, JP Komunala Črnomelj), chemical/coatings (Helios TBLUS), cosmetics R&D, retail/hospitality (Mercator/Maximarket, Terme Topolšica, Petrol), and military/defense (NATO Mountain Warfare Centre of Excellence). Distribution is primarily direct (website contact form, named inside-sales staff Damir Kunej and Lan Zupančič) supplemented by event-driven channel activation at IFAT Munich (2024, 2026) and consortium pilots such as the DEMO PILOTI smart water-supply project. The company has cumulatively worked with 70–100+ customers and collaborates with research institutions including the Jožef Stefan Institute, National Institute of Biology, and University of Ljubljana/Maribor.
Microbium has positioned itself as a credibility-led, deep-tech niche player in microbiological monitoring, anchored by the GZS Gold National Innovation Award 2025 (Top 10 of 245 Slovenian innovations) and selection into the NATO DIANA Cohort 2026. Its defensible differentiator is the combination of proprietary automated detection hardware with forensic microbiology expertise — enabling both rapid on-site detection and source-tracing of contamination — plus an emerging IoT/AI predictive water-quality platform under the DEMO PILOTI consortium. The business is currently small (~5–15 employees), grant-supported, and at an inflection point between domestic laboratory-services leadership and international hardware-and-platform commercialization.
Microbium firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Microbium
- Legal name
- Microbium napredne tehnologije d.o.o.
- Website
- https://microbium.si
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Microbium is a Slovenian microbiological services and instrumentation company that combines proprietary automated water-quality detection hardware (MPN Analyser PRO, Micro Aquatest) with accredited laboratory testing and forensic contamination investigations for public water utilities, defense, and industrial customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Microbium industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Microbiological Detection Equipment and Water Quality Monitoring
- NAICS
- Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories (6215), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Microbiology & Infectious Disease Diagnostics (culture, rapid antigen, syndromic panels) (HLAAALAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Microbiological Reference Cultures, Strains & Controls (Food Micro) (AFALAKAF)
Keywords
Where Microbium is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ljubljana
- HQ country
- Slovenia
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Microbium business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Laboratory testing services (professional services): Fee-for-service microbiological and antimicrobial testing including customized protocols (antimicrobial efficacy testing, contamination control & prevention studies, cosmetic challenge tests, bottled water investigations). Recurring/transactional revenue from industrial clients.
- MPN Analyser PRO product sales (hardware + consumables): Sale of hardware kits in two packages: Starter Kit (1 device/day, includes 10L incubator, 20 reagents, 20 sample bottles, cleaning kit) and Advanced Kit (6 devices/day, 56L incubator, 50 reagents, 50 sample bottles). Recurring consumable revenue from MPN reagents and 100 mL sample bottles with sodium thiosulfate.
- Micro Aquatest product sales: Sale of Micro Aquatest demo kits and consumables (reagent + sterile sample bottle) for hospitality and pool/camp operators performing routine water quality checks.
- Physical & chemical monitoring solution distribution: Resale and integration of Badger Meter s::can probes and monitoring systems for online, inline, submersible, field, and tank installations.
- Public R&D grant co-financing: Non-dilutive co-financing from Slovenian/EU recovery & resilience funds (NOO) and other public tenders (RRI NOO 2023, JR DEMO Piloti NOO, Horizon 2020 Urbantech, DigiFed, SPIRIT) supporting R&D projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | MPN Analyser PRO Starter Kit — up to 1 sample/day, includes 1 device, 10L incubator, Android software, 20 reagents, 20 sample bottles, cleaning kit. |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | MPN Analyser PRO Advanced Kit — up to 6 samples/day, includes 6 devices, 56L incubator, 50 reagents, 50 sample bottles. |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Micro Aquatest demo kit — reagent + sterile sample bottle for presence/absence E. coli and coliform testing. |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Laboratory services (antimicrobial testing, contamination control, cosmetic testing) — quote-based, free initial consultation offered. |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Microbium product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Microbium provides microbiological detection and monitoring solutions combining proprietary hardware products (the Microbium® MPN Analyser PRO automated ISO 9308-2-compliant E. coli/coliform detection device, the Microbium® Micro Aquatest presence/absence test kit, and the in-development Microbium® ETC Analyser for wastewater) with accredited laboratory services including antimicrobial efficacy testing, forensic contamination control & prevention, and physical & chemical water monitoring (via Badger Meter s::can probes). The offering is targeted at public water utilities, industrial manufacturers (cosmetics, biocides, paints, water disinfectants), defense/military, and research institutes for both routine on-site rapid detection and forensic source-tracing of microbial contamination.
Product overview
Microbium d.o.o. (Microbium napredne tehnologije d.o.o.) operates an integrated platform of microbiological laboratory services and in-house-developed monitoring hardware/software for water-quality and contamination control. The portfolio combines a core automated detection device — the Microbium® MPN Analyser PRO, with its companion Microbium® MPN Android app — with the simpler presence/absence Microbium® Micro Aquatest test, the in-development reusable Microbium® ETC Analyser for wastewater, a network of accredited laboratory services (Antimicrobial Testing for cosmetics, biocides, textiles/plastics, and water disinfectants, plus Contamination Control & Prevention), and a Physical & Chemical Monitoring line that integrates Badger Meter S::CAN sensors. Together these products and services cover the full contamination-control workflow: on-site rapid detection, in-lab standardized testing, forensic source tracing, and continuous AI-supported online monitoring.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Microbium® MPN Analyser (Pro): Automated microbiological analyser for the detection of E. coli and coliform bacteria in drinking water, wastewater and recreational water, compliant with ISO 9308-2. Available in Starter and Advanced packages; includes a mobile app for real-time results.
- Microbium® Micro Aquatest
- Microbium® ETC Analyser
Products and services
- Microbium® MPN Analyser PRO Automated device for detection, quantification and reporting of E. coli and coliform bacteria in drinking water, wastewater and recreational water, compliant with ISO 9308-2. Uses a 24-compartment chromogenic MPN cartridge read by an LED sensor lid, with first results in 8 hours, a detection limit of 1 CFU/100 mL, and a reusable zero-waste design. Sold as a Starter Kit (1 sample/day) and Advanced Kit (up to 6 samples/day), bundled with a Microbium incubator and Android app.
- Microbium® Micro Aquatest
Quantifiable outcome
- 90% reduction in analysis costs vs lab methods (Triglav National Park)
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Microbium
Customer profileNamed customers17 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Microbium technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability4 records
Feature7 records
Microbium partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Badger Meter (s::can)flagshipBadger Meter is featured as a partner logo on Microbium's homepage and is the supplier of s::can physical & chemical water-quality monitoring probes, sensors and devices that Microbium integrates, distributes and deploys for its water monitoring customers.
- LuminUltra (Canada)flagshipCanadian partner collaborating with Microbium on forensic microbiological investigations (e.g., the Mercator/Maximarket waterborne infection case) using advanced molecular methods to identify contamination sources, supporting international expert cooperation.
- Valter Group d.o.o.coreConsortium partner in the DEMO PILOTI project for smart water-supply management, led by David Sodnik. Together with Microbium, Infotim Ržišnik Perc, Ekstera and Pareto AI, the consortium built an AI-powered real-time water-quality monitoring system.
- Infotim Ržišnik Perc d.o.o.coreConsortium partner in the DEMO PILOTI project; team of Uros Rovtar and Iztok Pavlin. Co-host of the 'Online Microbiology' webinar (4 February 2026) where they presented the EMR Fusion environment integration with MPN Analyser monitoring.
- Ekstera d.o.o.coreConsortium partner in the DEMO PILOTI project, with team members Jure Naglič and Aleksandra K., contributing to the AI-driven water-quality monitoring solution.
- Pareto AIcoreConsortium partner in the DEMO PILOTI project, with team members Dejan Petelin and Miha Mlakar, providing AI capabilities for the smart water-supply management platform.
- JP Komunala Črnomelj d.o.o.corePilot user and operational environment for the DEMO PILOTI project, with team members Samo Kavčič, Tomaž Vesel and Bojan Klemenčič, providing first-hand operational testing and feedback of the AI water-quality system.
- Jožef Stefan Institute LjubljanaminorListed as a research and collaboration partner in Microbium's 'Sodelujemo z' (We collaborate with) section, supporting research and innovation in microbiology.
- National Institute of Biology (Nacionalni inštitut za biologijo)minorSlovenian research institute listed among Microbium's collaboration partners.
- University of Ljubljana / University of Maribor (Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)minorSlovenian university faculties listed as Microbium's collaboration partners, supporting research, talent and student-labour pipeline.
- Chemical Institute of Slovenia (Kemijski inštitut Slovenije)minorSlovenian research institute listed among Microbium's collaboration partners, also a customer of the MPN Analyser.
- SPIRIT Agency (Slovenia)minorSlovenian public agency for entrepreneurship, internationalization, foreign investments and technology listed as one of Microbium's collaboration partners.
- DomelminorSlovenian company featured as a partner logo on Microbium's homepage; specific relationship details are not publicly disclosed.
- NATO Mountain Warfare Centre of Excellence (MW COE)flagshipOperational partner in NATO DIANA Cohort 2026; deployed the MPN Analyzer in its test centre and provided expert support for testing the device in real mountain/warfare environments for water resilience applications.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Microbium competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Hach (Danaher): Global water-quality analysis company offering microbiological, physical, and chemical testing instruments and reagents. Comparable to Microbium's combined MPN Analyser + s::can physical/chemical monitoring offering, with much broader global distribution.
- bioMérieux: Global in-vitro diagnostics and industrial microbiology company with significant water and industrial microbial testing offerings. Comparable to Microbium's antimicrobial efficacy testing (cosmetics, biocides) and contamination control services.
- IDEXX Laboratories: Global leader in water microbiology testing (Colilert, Quanti-Tray) and the dominant standard for E. coli/coliform enumeration. Directly comparable to Microbium's MPN Analyser PRO product line and ISO 9308-2-aligned rapid microbiological detection methods.
- SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions (Veolia): Global water-services and treatment provider offering monitoring, chemical, and digital solutions to industrial and municipal customers. Comparable to Microbium's AI/IoT predictive water-quality monitoring roadmap and physical/chemical sensor integration.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific: Major life-sciences and laboratory services/equipment provider with broad microbiology, water-testing, and lab-services capabilities. Comparable as a competitor for Microbium's antimicrobial testing laboratory services and ISO-standard microbiological methods.
Emerging players
- Real Tech Inc. Canadian provider of real-time water-quality sensors and UV-VIS analyzers for municipal and industrial water applications. Comparable to Microbium's continuous online monitoring ambition via the DEMO PILOTI platform and S::CAN integration.
- Accepta: Specialist in water-treatment chemicals and water-testing technologies, serving industrial and municipal water customers. Comparable target market to Microbium's industrial contamination control and antimicrobial testing services, particularly in water disinfection.
Direct peers
- Palintest: UK-based water-quality testing manufacturer offering portable microbiological and chemical test kits for drinking water, pools, and field use. Comparable product portfolio to Microbium's Micro Aquatest and physical/chemical monitoring offerings.
- LuminUltra: Canada-based provider of molecular microbiological testing reagents and ATP monitoring for water, industrial, and environmental applications. Already a collaboration partner of Microbium (Mercator/Maximarket case), serving overlapping customer segments in industrial and municipal water markets.
- Aquagenx: Provider of portable, low-cost presence/absence microbiological water-quality tests (e.g., Compartment Bag Test) targeting field use in developing markets. Directly comparable to Microbium's Micro Aquatest presence/absence test kit for hospitality, pools, camps and on-site water-quality checks.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Microbium social profiles
Digital presenceMicrobium compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Microbium financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Microbium leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Microbium funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Microbium 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 Microbium
What does Microbium do?
Microbium provides microbiological detection and monitoring solutions combining proprietary hardware products (the Microbium® MPN Analyser PRO automated ISO 9308-2-compliant E. coli/coliform detection device, the Microbium® Micro Aquatest presence/absence test kit, and the in-development Microbium® ETC Analyser for wastewater) with accredited laboratory services including antimicrobial efficacy testing, forensic contamination control & prevention, and physical & chemical water monitoring (via Badger Meter s::can probes). The offering is targeted at public water utilities, industrial manufacturers (cosmetics, biocides, paints, water disinfectants), defense/military, and research institutes for both routine on-site rapid detection and forensic source-tracing of microbial contamination.
Is Microbium a public or private company?
Microbium is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Microbium founded?
Microbium was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Microbium based?
Microbium is headquartered in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in the Europe region.
How does Microbium make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Laboratory testing services (professional services) is the primary driver. The others are MPN Analyser PRO product sales (hardware + consumables), micro Aquatest product sales, physical & chemical monitoring solution distribution and public R&D grant co-financing.
Who are Microbium's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Hach (Danaher), bioMérieux, IDEXX Laboratories, SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions (Veolia) and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Emerging players are Real Tech Inc. and Accepta. Direct peers are Palintest, LuminUltra and Aquagenx.
Does Microbium have an API?
No public API is recorded for Microbium.
What industry is Microbium in?
Microbium's product category is Microbiological Detection Equipment and Water Quality Monitoring. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAALAC, Microbiology & Infectious Disease Diagnostics (culture, rapid antigen, syndromic panels), with a secondary code of AFALAKAF, Microbiological Reference Cultures, Strains & Controls (Food Micro). Its NAICS code is 6215 and its SIC code is 3826.