What Okolab does

Okolab S.r.l. is an Italy-based private manufacturer of precision environmental control systems for live cell imaging and in vitro fertilization (IVF) applications. Founded in 2003 in Pozzuoli by a group of scientists, the company designs and produces hardware — microscope cage and stagetop incubators, gas mixers and controllers, thermal plates, and handheld analyzers — that regulate temperature, CO2, O2, and humidity around biological samples during microscopy observation and embryo handling. Its core technology stack centers on its Bold Line 3 (BL3) incubator platform with "Complete Sample Feedback" and error-proof workflow design, NDIR dual-wavelength CO2 sensors with 10-year lifetimes, optical O2 sensors with 5-year lifetimes, and ±0.1% setpoint gas accuracy, supported by a wireless/ethernet Remote Data Viewer for centralized gas mixers.

The company monetizes primarily through direct hardware sales, supported by professional services (installation, calibration, maintenance with a 24-hour response commitment). It operates a hybrid enterprise field-sales model combining a global distributor network with regional direct sales offices in Italy (Pozzuoli HQ, Rovereto), the USA (Sewickley, PA), and China (Shanghai). Pricing is bespoke and quote-based, not publicly disclosed, reflecting the configuration-driven nature of the products. Customer segmentation spans three primary verticals: academic and research laboratories (microscopy core facilities, drug discovery, HCS/HTS), IVF clinics and fertility centers (ICSI, embryo culture), and pharmaceutical/biotech firms running automated screening workflows. The customer base includes Harvard, the Francis Crick Institute, the Italian Institute of Technology, the University of Manchester, and UCSF, alongside adoption by all four principal international microscope manufacturers and the top 10 global universities by 2013.

Okolab has scaled to 60-80 employees organized into R&D, Production, and Sales & Customer Support departments, operates wholly-owned subsidiaries in the USA (est. 2014) and China (est. 2016), and owns Okopower SRL — a 106 kW photovoltaic plant that has powered its operations on 100% green energy since 2012. The company holds ISO 9001 (2019, valid through 2028), RoHS, and REACH certifications, and its products are credited in approximately 6,000 peer-reviewed scientific articles.

Name

Okolab

Legal name

Okolab S.r.l.

Website

https://oko-lab.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Okolab is an Italian manufacturer of precision microscope incubators and environmental control systems for live cell imaging and IVF applications, serving academic research labs, IVF clinics, and pharmaceutical/biotech firms across global markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laboratory Environmental Control Equipment

NAICS

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

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

General Lab Equipment (Centrifuges, Incubators, Shakers, Ovens) (HLAGAIAC), Cell Culture & Bioprocess Lab Equipment (Bioreactors, Single-Use Systems, Controllers) (HLAGAIAG)

Keywords

• Microscope incubators
• Live cell imaging
• Environmental control systems
• IVF laboratory equipment
• Gas mixing controllers

Headquarters

HQ city

Pozzuoli

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Microscope Incubator Sales: Sale of precision cage incubators, stagetop incubators, and environmental control systems for live cell imaging. Products include BL3 Cage Incubator, BL3 Stagetop Incubator, and UNO+ Stagetop Incubator.
2. IVF Equipment Sales: Sale of IVF monitoring and environmental control equipment including LEO 2.0 handheld analyzer, Thermal Plates, Tri-Gas Mixer, and ICSI Enclosure.
3. Gas Control System Sales: Sale of gas mixing and control solutions including Centralized Gas Mixers, Digital Gas Controllers, and Manual Gas Blenders for laboratory applications.
4. Professional Services and Support: Customer support services including installation, calibration, and maintenance. The company maintains a robust Quality Management System and offers responsive assistance with a goal to respond within 24 hours.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Okolab designs, manufactures, and sells precision microscope incubators and environmental control systems (temperature, CO2, O2, humidity) for live cell imaging applications, plus specialized IVF laboratory equipment including the LEO 2.0 handheld analyzer, ICSI Enclosure, and Thermal Plates. Its product portfolio spans the BL3 and UNO+ incubator lines, gas mixing and control systems, and automated incubation solutions for high-content/high-throughput screening, sold to research laboratories, universities, IVF clinics, and pharmaceutical/biotech companies worldwide.

Product overview

Okolab offers a unified portfolio of microscope incubators and environmental control systems for live cell imaging and IVF applications. The core portfolio includes three main incubator lines: the BL3 Cage Incubator (large-volume chamber with Complete Sample Feedback technology), the BL3 Stagetop Incubator (on-stage environmental control), and the UNO+ Stagetop Incubator (all-in-one controller for simplicity). Supporting these are gas control products including the Tri-Gas Mixer, Centralized Gas Mixers, Digital Gas Controllers, and Manual Gas Blenders. For IVF applications, the company provides the LEO 2.0 handheld analyzer, ICSI Enclosure, and Thermal Plates. The Bold Line 3 Automation suite adds high-throughput screening capabilities including the PLATE-HOTEL-8 and motorized components. All products share common environmental control technology (temperature, CO2/O2, humidity) and are available with various controller options including touch-screen interfaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BL3 Cage Incubator Large volume microscope incubator with local CO2/O2 and humidity micro-environment chamber and Complete Sample Feedback technology. Designed as the ultimate incubator for the most demanding live cell imaging applications with a unique error-proof workflow.
• BL3 Stagetop Incubator Full environmental control directly on the microscope stage with unbeatable performance and a unique error-proof workflow. Ideal stagetop incubator for high-end laboratory live cell imaging applications.
• UNO+ Stagetop Incubator Stagetop incubator with an all-in-one controller, designed with simplicity in mind. The smart choice for ease and value in live cell imaging.
• Thermal Plates Glass and metal temperature-controlled plates for compound microscopes and stereomicroscopes, available for major brands including Nikon, Leica, Olympus, and Zeiss. Used in IVF and microscopy workflows.
• Tri-Gas Mixer On-demand customizable gas mixing system for IVF and benchtop incubators. Delivers CO2, N2, and air mixtures at controlled pressure (0-2 barg) with ±0.1% accuracy, automatic sensor maintenance, and backup cylinder switching.
• LEO 2.0 Handheld Multi-Parameter Analyzer Advanced handheld meter for precise IVF incubator and laboratory monitoring. Measures CO2, O2, temperature, VOCppb, humidity, gas flow, and CO2ppm in real time with Basic and Advanced operational modes.
• ICSI Enclosure Temperature and CO2/O2 enclosure that maintains stable and uniform environmental conditions around the ICSI workstation for IVF procedures. Features built-in heating, HEPA filtering, and variable gas control down to 5%.
• Digital Gas Controllers CO2 and/or hypoxia controllers that add gas control functionality to large-volume cell culture incubators (10-200 liters). Features NDIR CO2 sensor with 10-year lifetime and optical O2 sensor with 5-year lifetime.
• Manual Gas Blenders Versatile, affordable mixed gas delivery devices for small volumes using accurate floating ball flow meters. Available in models for CO2/air pre-mixed gas and 2GF/3GF configurations for hypoxia or hyperoxia applications.
• Centralized Gas Mixers Single-unit gas mixing, storage, and delivery systems for laboratory-wide gas distribution to multiple microscopes, mini-incubators, or laminar flow cabinets. Available in CO2/Air and Tri-Gas configurations with 1.5 and 15 L/min output flow rates, with remote data viewer connectivity.
• Bold Line 3 Automation Suite Fully automated microscope incubation solution for high-content screening (HCS) and high-throughput screening (HTS) applications. Includes motorized lids, precision repositioning, automated plate loading for robotic systems, and the PLATE-HOTEL-8 fully incubated plate hotel accommodating eight multiwell plates.
• H401-T Temperature Controllers Temperature controllers compatible with Okolab heated plates and objective collars. H401-T-PENNY is a single-channel controller; H401-T-CONTROLLER is a 2-channel controller with 4.3-inch touch screen interface.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of products shipped on schedule worldwide in 2014
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Harvard UniversitycoreTechnology or IntegrationHarvard University uses Okolab centralized gas mixers in their microscopy core facilities for live cell imaging applications, indicating a long-term customer relationship and integration of Okolab technology into their research infrastructure.
• Francis Crick InstitutecoreTechnology or IntegrationThe Francis Crick Institute utilizes Okolab centralized gas mixing solutions in their advanced microscopy facilities for biomedical research applications.
• Italian Institute of TechnologycoreTechnology or IntegrationItalian Institute of Technology (IIT) integrates Okolab gas mixing technology into their research facilities for precision environmental control in microscopy experiments.
• University of ManchestercoreTechnology or IntegrationUniversity of Manchester's microscopy facilities use Okolab centralized gas mixers for live cell imaging research applications.
• University of California San Francisco (UCSF)coreTechnology or IntegrationUCSF utilizes Okolab centralized gas mixing systems in their advanced imaging facilities for biomedical research.
• Four Principal Microscope ManufacturersflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOkolab products are adopted by all four principal international microscope companies, indicating OEM or embedded technology partnerships where Okolab's incubation solutions are integrated with or sold alongside major microscopy platforms.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tokai Hit: Japanese manufacturer of stage-top microscope incubation and environmental control systems. Tokai Hit is the closest direct competitor to Okolab in microscope-coupled incubation chambers and gas/temperature control for live cell imaging.
• Live Cell Instrument (LCI): Korean manufacturer of live cell imaging incubators and temperature/CO2 control modules for microscopy. LCI overlaps directly with Okolab's BL3 Stagetop and Cage Incubator lines and serves the same research core facility customers.
• Hamilton Company: US-based precision instrumentation maker with a strong portfolio of laboratory gas mixing, sensors, and cell culture/IVF workstation products. Hamilton competes with Okolab in IVF gas mixing and benchtop incubator controls.
• PeCon GmbH: German maker of microscope incubation systems (Incubator PM 2000, Tempcontrol 37-2 digital). PeCon competes head-on with Okolab's BL3 and UNO+ stage-top and cage incubators in academic microscopy cores.

Emerging players

• ibidi: German provider of live cell imaging consumables, flow chambers, and incubation/perfusion systems. ibidi overlaps with Okolab in live cell imaging workflows, particularly for researchers seeking combined consumable-plus-incubation solutions.

Broad incumbents

• Leica Microsystems: Danish/German microscope and imaging systems manufacturer, part of Danaher. Leica is one of the four principal microscope OEMs whose platforms integrate Okolab incubators, making it both a partner and potential competitor.
• Carl Zeiss Microscopy: One of the four principal microscope OEMs that adopts Okolab products. As a broad incumbent, Zeiss could vertically integrate incubation or shift to alternative suppliers, representing both a key channel and a structural threat to Okolab.
• Eppendorf: Global life science tools supplier with deep portfolios in cell culture incubators, gas controllers, and consumables. Eppendorf competes with Okolab in gas control and cell culture incubation, especially for IVF and pharma/biotech customers.
• Olympus (Evident Scientific): Life science microscopy division (now Evident) that sells integrated imaging systems. Olympus is one of the four principal microscope OEMs whose platforms use Okolab incubators, functioning as both channel partner and competitive incumbent.
• Nikon (Microscopy Solutions): Japanese microscope manufacturer offering integrated live cell imaging platforms. Nikon is one of the four principal OEMs that adopt Okolab products and represents an adjacent incumbent with the scale to internalize incubation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Okolabgroup
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/okolab

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 records

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 Okolab