What Vienna Scientific Instruments does

Vienna Scientific Instruments GmbH (VSI) is a privately-held Austrian engineering company founded around 2017 and headquartered in Alland, on the border between Vienna and Lower Austria. The company designs, manufactures, and sells specialized scientific instruments for soil, root, plant, insect, and environmental research, and provides engineering and scientific services to customers worldwide. VSI operates with a small team of engineers, scientists, technicians, and business administrators (headcount stated as 1–10), and serves research institutes, universities, innovative companies, and government agencies globally through direct sales and regional distributors.

The core product portfolio centers on root and rhizosphere phenotyping systems, including Rhizoboxes, Growth Pouch Phenotyping Systems (with PhenoRacks, Positioning Panels, and Light Shielding Panels), Minirhizotron Camera Systems (manual MS-190, semi-automatic AC-19, and automatic AC-21), and the LK-1600 RhizoPot Scanner, which incorporates a DeepLabv3+ deep learning algorithm for automated root image segmentation at up to 4800 dpi resolution. The company also sells soil sampling tools, soil moisture monitoring equipment (distributing Sentek Drill & Drop probes and EnviroScan sensors), air sampling and gas flux systems (CO2, O2, methane, hydrogen analyzers, dissolved O2 sensors), shoot phenotyping systems, insect rearing tools (mosquito mass rearing systems, sex separators, release cages), animal physiology and respirometry equipment, and distributed Biobase laboratory instruments (autoclaves, biosafety cabinets, fume hoods, laminar flow cabinets). VSI supports open hardware projects and offers an ECO product line using 70%-recycled PMMA acrylic for selected items.

The business model combines made-to-order hardware sales with engineering services, prototyping, custom manufacturing, and R&D collaboration. Pricing is quote-based for custom configurations, with standardized accessories priced from approximately €105 to €1,389 per unit (e.g., Growth Pouch Manipulation Stands at €105–€149; PhenoRack Sets at €969–€1,389); an online webstore supports standardized items in select EU countries. VSI reaches international markets through four regional distributors — Qubit Systems in North America, Edaphic Scientific in Australia/New Zealand, Beijing Eco-Mind Technology in China, and DTPLENVIRO in India — and is actively recruiting additional distributors for Africa, Central America, Central Asia, and South America.

Name

Vienna Scientific Instruments

Legal name

Vienna Scientific Instruments GmbH

Website

https://vienna-scientific.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Vienna Scientific Instruments is an Austrian engineering company that designs and manufactures specialized scientific instruments for soil, root, plant, insect, and environmental research, and provides engineering and scientific services to research institutes, universities, innovative companies, and government agencies worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Instrumentation for Plant, Soil, and Environmental Research

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

General Lab Equipment (Centrifuges, Incubators, Shakers, Ovens) (HLAGAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE), Lab Furniture, Facilities & Utilities (Benches, Casework, Gas/Water Systems) (HLAGAIAM)

Keywords

• Root phenotyping systems
• Soil sampling instruments
• Minirhizotron cameras
• Gas flux analyzers
• Insect rearing equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Alland

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Scientific Instruments Sales: Designs, manufactures and sells scientific instruments and tools including soil sampling equipment, root phenotyping systems, gas analyzers, insect rearing tools, and laboratory instruments. Products are primarily made-to-order with customizable configurations.
2. Engineering Services: Provides product development, prototyping, custom-made spare parts, and field technical services to customers worldwide.
3. Scientific Services & Research: Offers scientific services, R&D&I projects, and cross-industry collaboration. Supports open hardware projects. Engages in joint research opportunities with customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Vienna Scientific Instruments is an Austrian engineering company that designs, manufactures, and sells make-to-order scientific instruments and tools for soil, root, plant, insect, and environmental research, including rhizobox and growth pouch phenotyping systems, minirhizotron cameras, root imaging scanners, soil moisture sensors, and gas analyzers. The company complements its hardware portfolio with engineering services (product development, prototyping, custom-made spare parts, field technical services) and scientific services (R&D, open hardware collaboration). It also distributes complementary laboratory equipment from partner brands such as Biobase, Sentek, and Bartz Technology.

Product overview

Vienna Scientific Instruments (VSI) is an Austrian engineering company that designs, manufactures, and sells scientific instruments and tools, and provides engineering and scientific services to customers worldwide. The product portfolio is organized around scientific instrumentation for field and laboratory research, centered on root phenotyping systems (including Rhizoboxes, Growth Pouch Phenotyping Systems, Minirhizotron Camera Systems, and Root Imaging equipment like the LK-1600 RhizoPot Scanner), soil and environmental monitoring (soil sampling, soil moisture monitoring, air sampling and gas flux systems), plant phenotyping (shoot phenotyping, photosynthesis measurement), and animal/insect research tools. VSI also distributes complementary laboratory equipment from Biobase (autoclaves, laminar flow cabinets, biosafety cabinets, fume hoods) through partnerships. The company offers engineering services including product development, prototyping, and custom manufacturing, as well as scientific research collaboration through open hardware initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Soil, Root and Water Sampling Tools Soil sampling corers, soil water samplers (MicroRhizons, Rhizons, MacroRhizons), and root washing equipment for field and laboratory research.
• Rhizobox Systems Transparent root observation boxes for non-destructive imaging of roots and rhizosphere in soil-based experiments. Includes Rhizoboxes, Rhizonboxes, and Hydroponic RootBoxes with various sizes and configurations, available in standard and 70%-recycled acrylic versions.
• Growth Pouch Phenotyping Systems Soil-free root phenotyping platforms using germination paper for high-throughput plant bioassays. Includes Type 1 and Type 2 Growth Pouches, PhenoRacks, Positioning Panels, Light Shielding Panels, and Manipulation Stands.
• Germination Pouches Ready-to-use sterile seed germination pouches (plant culture bags) available in small (14 cm), medium (18 cm), and large (30 cm) sizes for root phenotyping and plant bioassays.
• Root Phenoboxes Rigid root phenotyping boxes with growth resistance for soil-free root system studies under controlled conditions.
• Minirhizotron Camera Systems Non-destructive root imaging systems for transparent root observation tubes, including manual (MS-190), semi-automatic (AC-19), and automatic (AC-21) camera systems, operated with Bartz ICAP software.
• LK-1600 RhizoPot Scanner Automated flatbed scanner system for imaging roots in attached A4-size RhizoPots. Features 1200 dpi or 4800 dpi resolution, automated image acquisition at configurable intervals for up to 20 RhizoPots per control unit, and bundled DeepLabv3+ deep learning root image segmentation software.
• Rhizotrons and Root Windows Transparent root observation installations for field or rhizotron studies, including custom ultra-large rhizotrons for near-field phenotyping conditions.
• Root and Rhizobox Imaging Root imaging systems including rhizobox imaging, rhizopot scanners, benchtop root analyzers, 2D root scanners, and root scanning trays for automated root phenotyping.
• Soil Moisture Monitoring Research-grade FDR soil profile sensors, wireless drill and drop probes, and related moisture monitoring equipment distributed for Sentek.
• Air Sampling and Gas Flux Systems Whole air and sorbent tube samplers for UAVs and laboratory use, gas flux/respiration chambers, CO2 and O2 gas analyzers, methane and hydrogen analyzers, dissolved O2 sensors, and gas mixing/control systems.
• Shoot Phenotyping Systems Plant phenotyping boxes and imaging chambers for shoot phenotyping, chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, and photosynthesis measurements.
• Insect Rearing and Research Tools Mosquito mass rearing systems, tray and rack larval systems, automated larval feeding, rearing/oviposition cages, insect sex separators, collectors, release cages, chill plates, and insect respirometry systems.
• Animal Behavior and Physiology Systems Animal and aquatic respirometry systems, aquatic control systems, harness housings, photo interrupter sensors, and operant boxes for animal behavior research.
• Laboratory Instruments Standard laboratory equipment including Biobase autoclaves, laminar flow cabinets, biosafety cabinets, fume hoods, and Labtare instruments distributed through VSI.
• Biobase Laminar Flow Cabinets Horizontal and vertical laminar flow hoods for clean room environments, available in various sizes (BBS-H1300, BBS-H1800, BBS-V1300, BBS-V1800, BBS-V680, BBS-V800).
• Biobase Biosafety Cabinets EN 12460 certified biological safety cabinets (BSCs) for handling infectious agents, toxins, and biohazards, available in multiple configurations including BSC-2FA2-HA, BSC-3FA2-HA, BSC-4FA2-HA, BSC-3FA2, and BSC-4FA2.
• Biobase Fume Hoods Fume hoods for exhausting hazardous fumes, vapors, and particles, available in A series (weak acid/alkaline), P series (strong acids), and X series (mobile) configurations.
• Biobase Autoclaves Autoclaves for sterilizing equipment using high-pressure steam, available in N series (gravity displacement), B series (pulse vacuum), vertical, and horizontal configurations with capacities from 18L to 360L.
• Open Hardware Projects Open source hardware designs and projects supported through VSI's cross-industry collaboration program; customers can engage in joint research opportunities.
• Teaching Tools for Biology Hands-on educational tools for animal and plant biology, including photosynthesis and respirometry teaching kits.
• Engineering and Scientific Services Product development, prototyping, custom-made spare parts, field technical services, and scientific research collaboration including R&D and innovation projects for customers worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• Root phenotyping systems accommodate up to 20 RhizoPots per control unit for high-throughput automated imaging
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Qubit SystemscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorth American distributor for all Vienna Scientific products. Handles quotes, product information, and payments in local currencies. Located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
• Edaphic Scientific Pty LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor for Australia and New Zealand handling all products with local currency payments.
• Beijing Eco-Mind Technology Co., LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChina distributor for all products with local currency payments. Also official distributor for Eco-Mind root research products in Europe.
• DTPLENVIRO TECHSOLUTIONS (OPC) PVT LtdcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndia distributor handling all products with local currency payments. Located in Faridabad, Haryana.
• Bartz Technology CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationOfficial distributor for Bartz Technology products. Relies on ICAP minirhizotron software developed by Bartz for operating manual minirhizotron camera MS-190. Bartz is the birthplace of commercial mini-rhizotron technology.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Photon Systems Instruments (PSI): Czech manufacturer of plant phenotyping instruments, chlorophyll fluorescence imaging systems, and photosynthesis measurement tools. Direct competitor to VSI in shoot phenotyping and gas exchange instrumentation serving academic and agricultural research markets.
• Phenospex: Dutch developer of high-throughput plant phenotyping systems including 3D scanning and imaging platforms. Directly competes with VSI in automated plant/root phenotyping for crop science and plant biology research.
• WPS B.V. Dutch company specializing in plant phenotyping, root phenotyping, and growth chamber solutions. Direct competitor in controlled-environment plant research instrumentation, including root image analysis systems.
• METER Group (formerly Decagon Devices): US-based manufacturer of soil moisture sensors, environmental measurement instruments, and data loggers. Direct competitor to VSI's soil moisture monitoring product line (Sentek/D&D probes) and serves overlapping academic and agricultural research customers.
• PP Systems: US manufacturer of gas exchange and photosynthesis measurement systems (CIRAS, EGM). Direct competitor in CO2/H2O gas analyzers and plant physiology research equipment for academic and agricultural research customers.
• Hansatech Instruments: UK manufacturer of chlorophyll fluorescence, oxygen electrode, and photosynthesis research instruments. Competes with VSI's photosynthesis and gas analysis product lines in the plant science research market.
• Delta-T Devices: UK manufacturer of soil moisture sensors, data loggers, and plant science instruments. Direct competitor in soil moisture monitoring and serves the same agricultural and environmental research customer base.
• CID Bio-Science: US manufacturer of portable plant science instruments including leaf area meters, chlorophyll meters, and gas analyzers. Overlaps with VSI's phenotyping and plant physiology instrumentation portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• LI-COR Biosciences: Large US manufacturer of photosynthesis, gas exchange, and environmental measurement instruments (LI-6800, LI-6400). Overlaps with VSI's gas analyzer and shoot phenotyping lines and serves the same plant physiology research market, but with a much broader portfolio and global footprint.

Emerging players

• Eco-Mind (Beijing Eco-mind Technology): Chinese distributor and product developer for root research equipment (including the LK-1600 RhizoPot Scanner original equipment). Both a VSI distribution partner and a partial product-side peer in the root phenotyping space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VSI_Austria
• Facebookbusiness.facebook.com/viennascientific
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vienna-scientific

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Vienna Scientific Instruments