What Etaluma, Inc. does

Etaluma, Inc. is a privately held US life sciences instrumentation company headquartered in Carlsbad, California, that designs and manufactures compact inverted fluorescence microscopes sold under the Lumascope brand. The company's core platform architecture pairs solid-state multibandpass (Pinkel) optics with LED excitation at 405 nm, 488 nm, and 589/590 nm, a CMOS sensor, and USB3 power. Because a single multiband dichroic and emission filter are shared across fluorescence channels without any filter wheel or moving parts, the system eliminates the pixel-shift artifact inherent to sequential filter changes in conventional multicolor fluorescence microscopy. The compact form factor (LS820 footprint is roughly 24 x 22.6 x 27.8 cm) enables operation inside standard cell culture incubators, hypoxic chambers, and biological safety cabinets for undisturbed multi-day live-cell imaging.

The product portfolio centers on the LS850 fully automated three-channel flagship with motorized XY stage and image-based autofocus, the LS820 motorized-Z model, and the 2025-launched Lumi bioluminescence microscope. Supporting offerings include objective lenses (RMS-threaded, infinity-corrected), phase-contrast accessories, labware holders, and OEM-ready subsystems (optics modules, Z-drives, multi-head imagers, LED controllers). Software includes the multi-OS LumaViewPro control application, Lumaquant image analysis (built on DRVision's Aivia), and Microvolution GPU-accelerated deconvolution. An open-source Python SDK released under MIT license, a Micromanager Device Adapter, and Matlab integration extend the platform for developer and OEM use.

Etaluma monetizes primarily through quote-based direct hardware sales via etaluma.com, supplemented by a worldwide distributor network and an OEM/private-label channel that supplies components to instrument manufacturers. The company sells to academic and government research laboratories (UC Berkeley, Stanford, Georgia Tech, NIH, FDA), pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms (AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Amgen), and contract research organizations, positioning its products at roughly half the price and less than half the footprint of conventional inverted fluorescence microscopes. A library of 276+ customer publications provides third-party scientific validation. No public revenue, funding, headcount, or management disclosures are available.

Name

Etaluma, Inc.

Legal name

Etaluma, Inc.

Website

https://etaluma.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Etaluma, Inc. is a privately held US life sciences instrumentation company that designs compact inverted fluorescence microscopes (Lumascope line) using solid-state Pinkel multibandpass optics for live-cell imaging. It sells to academic, government, and pharmaceutical research laboratories worldwide via direct sales, distributors, and an OEM channel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fluorescence Microscopy Instruments

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Lab Middleware, Instrument Connectivity & Automation (HLACAMAI)

Keywords

• Live cell imaging
• Fluorescence microscopy
• Inverted microscopes
• Incubator microscopy
• Bioluminescence imaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Carlsbad

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Lumascope Microscope Hardware Sales: Sale of compact inverted fluorescence microscopes including the LS850 (fully automated 3-channel), LS820 (motorized Z with autofocus), and older models (LS720, LS620, LS560). Revenue from the physical instrument, accessories, and objective lenses.
2. Lumi Bioluminescence Microscope: Sale of the Lumi bioluminescence microscope, a dedicated system for luminescence imaging without phototoxicity, designed for extended real-time live-cell observation.
3. OEM Optics Modules and Motion Components: Sale of commercial-ready optics modules, Z-drive focus mechanisms, XYZ automation platforms, LED controllers, dual-camera modules, multi-head microscope configurations, and private-label microscopes to OEM partners integrating Etaluma technology into their own instruments.
4. Accessories and Software Licenses: Sale of accessories including phase contrast accessories, objective lenses, labware holders, manual XY stages, and software including Lumaquant image analysis software (based on DRVision's Aivia) and Microvolution deconvolution software.
5. Professional Services and Custom Design: Custom design and engineering services for OEM partners, including customization of optics modules, private-label microscope branding, and integration support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Etaluma manufactures compact inverted fluorescence microscopes (Lumascope LS850, LS820, LS720, LS620, LS560 series) and a bioluminescence microscope (Lumi) designed to operate directly inside standard cell culture incubators for live-cell imaging. The instruments use solid-state LED multibandpass optics with no moving parts, eliminating pixel shift in multicolor fluorescence imaging. The company also sells OEM optics modules, motorized Z-drives, LED controllers, and supporting software (LumaviewPro, Lumaquant, Microvolution deconvolution) to research, pharma, biotech, and OEM instrumentation customers.

Product overview

Etaluma, Inc. offers the Lumascope line of compact inverted fluorescence microscopes, a unified portfolio of products designed for live cell imaging applications. The portfolio centers on three main microscopes: the LS850 (fully automated flagship with walk-away automation), LS820 (automated with motorized Z for autofocus/Z-stacks), and Lumi (bioluminescence microscope for phototoxicity-free imaging). These share the Lumascope platform architecture with solid-state optics, LED illumination, and USB-powered operation. The product line includes software (LumaviewPro control software, Lumaquant analysis, Microvolution deconvolution), accessories (objective lenses, phase contrast, XY stages, labware holders), and OEM components (optics modules, Z-drive, multi-head imagers, LED controllers) for integration into third-party instrumentation. The microscopes are designed to operate inside incubators for undisturbed live cell imaging.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lumascope: Product line of compact inverted fluorescence microscopes for live-cell imaging, including LS850, LS820, LS720, LS620, LS600, LS560, and LS520 models.
• Lumi
• Lumaview
• LumaviewPro
• Lumaquant

Products and services

• LS850 Microscope Fully automated three-channel fluorescence microscope with walk-away automation capability. Features automated XY stage, motorized Z-focus with 14mm travel and 100nm step precision, auto Z-focus and Z-stacks, and high-speed stage positioning capable of imaging a 96-well plate in 65 seconds. Supports blue, green, and red fluorescence plus phase contrast and brightfield. Designed for live cell imaging directly inside incubators.
• LS820 Microscope Fully automated three-channel fluorescence microscope with motorized Z for autofocus and Z-stacking. Features 14mm motorized Z travel with 100nm steps and manual XY stage. Designed for automated time-lapse microscopy experiments with live cell imaging capability inside incubators.
• Lumi Bioluminescence Microscope Dedicated bioluminescence microscope offering luminescence exposure times up to two orders of magnitude faster than other luminescence microscopes. Uses Promega Nano-Luc luciferase as its preferred reporter for assays GFP cannot address. Enables real-time live cell imaging for hours or days without phototoxicity. Short optical path inverted wide field microscope with brightfield and phase contrast.
• Lumascope Platform (LS720, LS620, LS600, LS560, LS520, LS460, LS420) Family of compact inverted fluorescence microscopes utilizing LED light sources, Chroma filters, and CMOS sensors. Powered via USB connection and includes LumaviewPro software. Compact design enables use inside incubators, biological safety cabinets, and environmental control workstations.
• Objective Lenses Range of objective lenses including Plan Achromat, Plan Apochromat, and Plan Semi Apochromat types. Magnifications from 2.5x to 100x oil immersion. Compatible with RMS-threaded, infinity corrected, 45mm parfocal distance objectives from Meiji and Olympus.
• Phase Contrast Accessories Phase contrast accessories enabling visualization of transparent specimens including unstained samples. Compatible with LS620, LS560, LS460, and LS720 models. Available with precentered or non-precentered phase ring sliders matched to objectives.
• Manual XY Stage and Labware Holders Manual XY stage for mounting to microscope deck for holding labware or labware holders. Compatible with LS620/600, LS560/520, and LS460/420 models. Includes holders for microscope slides, Petri dishes (35mm, 50mm, 60mm), and Terasaki plates with SBS standard dimensions.
• Lumaview / LumaViewPro Software Microscope control software that captures individual images, composite images, time-lapse series, and live videos. LumaViewPro supports the LS850/LS820 and OEM components; Lumaview supports the LS720/LS620/LS600. Multi-OS support includes Windows, Mac, and Linux with gRPC client-server architecture.
• Lumaquant Image Analysis Software Image analysis software based on DRVision's Aivia package. Provides image analysis solutions, visualizations, and intuitive editing tools enhanced with pixel classifier for smart segmentation, 2D stitching, and live recipe application for immediate analysis during imaging.
• Microvolution Deconvolution Software GPU-accelerated deconvolution software providing 'Software Confocal' capability for widefield microscopy. Up to 200x faster than classical methods, enabling near real-time deconvolution during image acquisition. Particularly effective in dim light including live-cell and time-lapse experiments.
• OEM Optics Modules Compact solid-state optics modules for OEM integration including multi-bandpass LED excitation blocks and full multi-channel epi-fluorescence microscopy modules. Features solid-state channel switching with no moving parts and no pixel shift. Available as single-color, multi-color, and dual-camera configurations.
• Z-Drive Motorized Focus Motorized focus mechanism for OEM integration providing autofocus and Z-stack acquisition. Features 14mm travel, 100nm steps, lead screw design with anti-backlash. Includes open source Python image-based autofocus algorithm.
• Multi-Head Microscope/Imager Dual microscope module enabling multiple imaging heads under samples. Supports more colors, multiple magnifications, multiple cameras (monochrome and color), and faster imaging. Only possible with Etaluma's compact optics design.
• LED Controller Fine illumination controller with 6 LED channels, high speed, thousands of illumination levels, and direct triggering for LED synchronization. Supports PWM and direct current control. Small form factor (3X smaller than off-the-shelf units), tolerates 55°C and 5%-95% RH non-condensing environments.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96-well plate imaging in 65 seconds (single channel, no autofocus)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability3 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Cairn Research LtdcoreTechnology or IntegrationEtaluma collaborated with Cairn Research Ltd to develop the low-profile multimodal illuminator used in the LS800 series microscopes. The illuminator is based on Cairn's Aura/Aura Pro phase contrast illuminator technology, which in turn is based on research by Dr Kevin Webb of the Optics & Photonics Research Group at the University of Nottingham (Webb, Kevin F. 'Condenser-free contrast methods for transmitted-light microscopy.' Journal of microscopy 257.1, 2015). This technology enables phase contrast and brightfield transmitted illumination without a traditional condenser.
• Microvolution LLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationEtaluma partnered with Microvolution LLC (Sunnyvale, CA) to integrate GPU-accelerated deconvolution software into its LS microscope line. Microvolution's software delivers ~100X faster deconvolution than conventional approaches by running Richardson-Lucy algorithms on NVIDIA GPUs via the CUFFT library. The partnership enables real-time deconvolution during image acquisition, approaching software-confocal quality from widefield optics.
• Chroma Technology / SemrockcoreTechnology or IntegrationEtaluma sources its multibandpass filter sets from Chroma (for the LS800 series) and Semrock (for the LS600/700 series). These Pinkel and multiband filter sets are integral to Etaluma's solid-state optics architecture, enabling the no-moving-parts fluorescence channel switching.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Evident (formerly Olympus Scientific Solutions): Evident, the scientific solutions spin-off of Olympus, manufactures IX-series inverted fluorescence microscopes directly competing with Etaluma's Lumascope line in academic and biotech research labs. They serve the same core use case (live-cell multicolor fluorescence) but with larger, higher-priced instruments and a global brand and service footprint.
• Leica Microsystems: Leica (a Danaher company) manufactures DMI and Thunder inverted fluorescence microscopes used for live-cell imaging, directly overlapping Etaluma's core offering. Leica competes with Etaluma in the same customer labs but at the high-end price/performance tier with proprietary computational clearing technology.
• Nikon Instruments: Nikon's Eclipse Ti2 inverted fluorescence microscope series is a direct comparable to the Lumascope platform for live-cell imaging applications. Nikon brings much broader portfolio depth and a large installed base in academic research, but Etaluma competes on cost and incubator-fit.
• Carl Zeiss Microscopy: Zeiss manufactures Axio Observer inverted fluorescence microscopes with comparable multicolor fluorescence and live-cell imaging capabilities. Zeiss competes at the premium end with deep brand equity, contrasting with Etaluma's compact, low-cost positioning.
• Keyence: Keyence manufactures BZ-X series all-in-one fluorescence microscopes that enable simple live-cell imaging workflows without complex setup — directly overlapping Etaluma's ease-of-use value proposition. Keyence competes on operational simplicity and integrated design at similar mid-tier price points.

Emerging players

• Sartorius (Incucyte): Sartorius's Incucyte system performs live-cell imaging inside standard cell culture incubators — directly competing with Etaluma's core in-incubator wedge. Incucyte focuses on continuous live-cell analysis for pharma/biotech drug discovery, an adjacent but overlapping segment to Etaluma's academic-leaning customer base.
• Molecular Devices (ImageXpress): Molecular Devices' ImageXpress high-content imaging systems serve automated live-cell and fixed-cell fluorescence microscopy workflows in pharma screening. They compete with Etaluma's LS850 walk-away automation use case at a higher price point with broader plate-handler integration.
• Agilent BioTek (Cytation): Agilent's BioTek Cytation line combines automated fluorescence microscopy with multi-mode plate reader functionality, targeting live-cell and cell-based assay workflows comparable to Etaluma's well-plate use cases. Cytation competes primarily in pharma/biotech screening labs at higher price points.

Broad incumbents

• Bruker: Bruker manufactures Vutara super-resolution and Ultima multiphoton fluorescence microscopy systems serving the broader academic life-sciences research market. Bruker is a broad incumbent with a much wider product portfolio and deeper R&D resources than Etaluma, addressing fluorescence imaging as part of a larger analytical instruments business.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (EVOS): Thermo Fisher's EVOS line of inverted digital fluorescence microscopes is a direct comparable to Etaluma's Lumascope product family for routine live-cell imaging. Thermo Fisher is a broad incumbent leveraging brand, channel, and reagent-bundling advantages that Etaluma does not have.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/etaluma
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/etaluma/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/Etaluma-Inc-134882107890
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/chris-shumate-753566
• Instagraminstagram.com/etaluma

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Etaluma, Inc.