WillCo Wells
WillCo Wells B.V. is a Dutch manufacturer of WillCo-dish® glass-bottom dishes and foil-bottom dishes used in high-resolution and super-resolution live-cell microscopy, serving academic and commercial research laboratories, IVF fertility clinics, and microscopy facilities worldwide through direct e-commerce and a global distributor network that also carries the Marienfeld Superior laboratory glassware line.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What WillCo Wells does
WillCo Wells B.V. is a privately held Dutch specialty laboratory-glassware manufacturer headquartered in Amsterdam. Founded in 1996 with operations in Amsterdam, the company designs and produces the WillCo-dish® line of glass-bottom dishes engineered for high-resolution and super-resolution live-cell imaging, including a low-drift X-Cure variant co-developed with the Netherlands Cancer Institute (Jalink Lab) that achieves sub-30nm X/Y drift for super-resolution microscopy. The core product platform features a flat coverslip flush with the warming stage to eliminate optical aberrations and Z-axis lateral shift, a Safe Grip outer-ring handling design, and IVF-grade sterile variants certified for fertility applications via EmbryoTools (MEA, LAL, SMA testing).
The product portfolio spans single-unit transparent and black glass-bottom dishes (GWST/GWSB series), multi-unit packs (HBST/HBSB), user-assemblable KIT dishes with separate coverslips and 3M adhesive rings, DEV-series assembly tools, foil-bottom dishes for laser microdissection, microscope cover glasses, and slides. Under an exclusive worldwide distributorship with Paul Marienfeld GmbH, WillCo Wells also markets the Marienfeld Superior line of volumetric instruments, blood-testing equipment, and laboratory containers.
Revenue is generated primarily through unit-priced product sales (one-time purchases, Ex Works shipping, payment before delivery) via a direct e-commerce storefront on willcowells.com and a worldwide distributor network, with a free-sample program driving top-of-funnel acquisition. Pricing is quote-based with indicative unit pricing around €7 per dish (e.g., €834 for 120 units of FWST-5030-4 PEN). The customer base spans academic and commercial research laboratories, super-resolution microscopy facilities, IVF and fertility clinics worldwide, and educational institutions, with named collaborations including the Netherlands Cancer Institute (Jalink Lab) and the University of Amsterdam (Nanoscope).
WillCo Wells firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WillCo Wells
- Legal name
- WillCo Wells B.V.
- Website
- https://willcowells.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- WillCo Wells B.V. is a Dutch manufacturer of WillCo-dish® glass-bottom dishes and foil-bottom dishes used in high-resolution and super-resolution live-cell microscopy, serving academic and commercial research laboratories, IVF fertility clinics, and microscopy facilities worldwide through direct e-commerce and a global distributor network that also carries the Marienfeld Superior laboratory glassware line.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WillCo Wells industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Laboratory Glassware
- NAICS
- Glass Container Manufacturing (327213), Other Pressed and Blown Glass and Glassware Manufacturing (327212)
- SIC
- Glass Containers (3221), Glass & Glassware, Pressed Or Blown (3220)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE)
Keywords
Where WillCo Wells is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Amsterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
WillCo Wells business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Product Sales: Direct sales of specialized glass bottom dishes, KIT assemblies, foil bottom dishes for microdissection, microscope slides, cover glasses, and laboratory accessories. Products sold in various pack sizes (single unit, multi-unit) with pricing in Euros. Delivery terms are Ex Works.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Foil Bottom Dishes - FWST-5030-4 PEN |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Glass Bottom Dishes - various series |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
WillCo Wells product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WillCo Wells designs and manufactures specialized glass bottom dishes (WillCo-dish®) for high-resolution and super-resolution live cell imaging microscopy. The product family includes single-unit packed (GWST/GWSB), multi-unit packed (HBST/HBSB), and user-assemblable KIT variants in transparent and black formats, plus foil bottom dishes for laser microdissection, microscope cover glasses, microscope slides, and assembly devices (DEV series). The company is also the exclusive worldwide distributor of Marienfeld Superior laboratory glassware. Products are sold direct and through a global distributor network to research labs, IVF centers, and microscopy facilities.
Product overview
WillCo Wells is a laboratory glassware manufacturer specializing in microscopy products. The core product is the WillCo-dish® Glass Bottom Dishes, available in multiple variants: single unit packed (GWST transparent, GWSB black), multi-unit packed (HBST transparent, HBSB black), and KIT-dishes (user-assemblable with separate glass coverslips and 3M adhesive rings). Supporting products include DEV assembly devices, FOIL bottom dishes for laser microdissection, microscope cover glasses (No. 1, No. 1.5H, hydrophobic), and microscope slides (UniMark®, HistoBond®). The company also distributes Marienfeld Superior products including volumetric instruments and laboratory containers. Products are designed for high-resolution live cell imaging, super-resolution microscopy, and IVF applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- WillCo-dish®: Glass bottom dishes designed for high and super resolution live cell imaging, featuring flat coverslip design for optimal imaging with no optical aberrations.
Products and services
- WillCo-dish® Glass Bottom Dishes Specialized glass bottom dishes available in single-unit packed (GWST transparent / GWSB black) and multi-unit packed (HBST transparent / HBSB black) variants, in sizes 3512, 3522, 5030, and 5040. Designed for high numerical aperture objectives in high and super-resolution live cell imaging, featuring a flat coverslip for no optical aberrations and no lateral Z-axis shift. Sold to research laboratories, IVF centers, and microscopy facilities globally.
- WillCo-dish® KIT Assemblies User-assemblable DIY kit dishes in transparent (KIT-3512/3522/5030/5040) and black (KIT-3512B/3522B/5030B/5040B) variants. Each kit includes glass coverslips and 3M Double Sided Adhesive (DSA) rings, allowing laboratories to assemble glass bottom dishes on demand. Targeted at research labs that need flexible pack sizes or on-site assembly.
- WillCo-dish® FOIL Bottom Dishes Foil bottom dishes using PEN-foil technology for laser microdissection, offered in transparent (FWST-5030-4 PEN) and black (FWSB-5030 PEN) variants. Pack of 120 units with 5-year shelf life, sterile. Sold to research laboratories conducting laser capture microdissection workflows.
- DEV Series Assembly Devices Assembly devices (DEV-3512, DEV-3522, DEV-5030, DEV-5040) designed to facilitate correct and consistent assembly of user-built WillCo-dish® KIT glass bottom dishes. Sold to research laboratories using the KIT product line.
- Microscope Cover Glasses Microscope cover glasses including Thickness No. 1 (square, rectangular, circular), hydrophobic, precision No. 1.5H, and 0.4mm options, packaged in two-part or hinged lid boxes. Distributed by WillCo Wells as part of the Marienfeld Superior laboratory product line. For microscopy laboratories and research facilities.
- Microscope Slides Quality microscope slides including standard thickness slides, UniMark® slides with circles, HistoBond® adhesive slides, and specialized slides with reaction wells or cavities. Distributed by WillCo Wells as part of the Marienfeld Superior laboratory product line. For microscopy and histology laboratories.
- Marienfeld Superior Laboratory Glassware Distribution Exclusive worldwide distribution of Marienfeld Superior laboratory products, including microscopy accessories, blood testing equipment, volumetric instruments, laboratory containers, and laboratory equipment (which includes glass and plastic Petri dishes). Targeted at laboratories seeking a full Marienfeld laboratory catalog.
Quantifiable outcome
- Drift of <30nm in X and Y, <60nm in Z for full hour in super-resolution imaging
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use WillCo Wells
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
WillCo Wells technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
WillCo Wells partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Paul Marienfeld GmbH & Co. KgcorePartnership established a few years ago for worldwide distribution of all Marienfeld Superior products including microscopy accessories, blood testing equipment, volumetric instruments, laboratory containers and equipment. WillCo Wells is the exclusive worldwide distributor for Marienfeld Superior products.
- The Netherlands Cancer Institute (Jalink Lab)coreCollaborative development of low-drift WillCo-dish®X-Cure glass bottom dishes for super-resolution microscopy. The Jalink lab characterized and validated the products achieving <30nm drift performance.
- EmbryoTools S.L.coreEstablished relationship with EmbryoTools S.L., a well-respected QC Laboratory in Barcelona, Spain for fertility and sterility testing certification of WillCo-dish products (MEA, LAL, SMA tests).
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
WillCo Wells competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- World Precision Instruments (WPI): WPI supplies specialty laboratory tools and consumables to the electrophysiology, microscopy and life-sciences research markets. It overlaps WillCo in imaging and lab-consumable categories with a slightly broader niche-research focus.
- Paul Marienfeld GmbH & Co. KG: Marienfeld is a German manufacturer of high-quality laboratory glassware, cover glasses, microscope slides and volumetric instruments — exactly the product lines WillCo distributes worldwide under its exclusive partnership, making it a closely related counterpart in product and category.
Others
- Zeiss (Carl Zeiss Microscopy): Zeiss manufactures the high-end microscopes and imaging systems (e.g., Elyra super-resolution) for which WillCo-dish® is a recommended consumable. While not a direct competitor, Zeiss's installed base of super-resolution systems drives demand for low-drift glass-bottom dishes.
Direct peers
- Ibidi GmbH: Ibidi manufactures µ-Slide and µ-Dish products with defined glass or polymer bottoms optimized for live cell imaging and high-resolution microscopy. It serves the same research-lab and microscopy-facility customer base with comparable imaging-grade consumables.
- MatTek Life Sciences: MatTek produces glass-bottom and equivalent culture dishes used in high-resolution and confocal microscopy, including the popular Glass Bottom Dishes and 3D tissue models. It is the most direct head-to-head competitor to WillCo-dish® in research-grade imaging consumables.
- Cellvis: Cellvis makes glass-bottom dishes and chambers in standard plate formats specifically designed for high-resolution fluorescence and live-cell imaging, competing head-to-head with WillCo-dish® in the academic microscopy segment.
Broad incumbents
- Eppendorf: Eppendorf is a major manufacturer of premium laboratory consumables and instruments, including cell culture and imaging-compatible vessels. It competes with WillCo indirectly via its broader labware portfolio and global distribution reach.
- Corning Life Sciences: Corning is a dominant supplier of cell culture vessels, plates and glass-bottom imaging products (e.g., Corning® Glass Bottom Dishes) sold to research and pharma labs globally. While much larger and broader, its imaging consumables directly overlap WillCo's niche.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific (Nunc / Lab-Tek): Through the Nunc and Lab-Tek II Chamber Slide brands, Thermo Fisher supplies imaging-compatible culture vessels to research and IVF customers worldwide. It is a broad incumbent with scale advantages and similar microscopy-consumable offerings.
Regional players
- Glaswarenfabrik Karl Hecht GmbH: Hecht/Assistent is a European specialty manufacturer of laboratory glassware, volumetric instruments and microscopy accessories. It is a regional peer with overlapping labware products and a strong European institutional footprint similar to Marienfeld.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
WillCo Wells financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WillCo Wells leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
WillCo Wells funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WillCo Wells 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 WillCo Wells
What does WillCo Wells do?
WillCo Wells designs and manufactures specialized glass bottom dishes (WillCo-dish®) for high-resolution and super-resolution live cell imaging microscopy. The product family includes single-unit packed (GWST/GWSB), multi-unit packed (HBST/HBSB), and user-assemblable KIT variants in transparent and black formats, plus foil bottom dishes for laser microdissection, microscope cover glasses, microscope slides, and assembly devices (DEV series). The company is also the exclusive worldwide distributor of Marienfeld Superior laboratory glassware. Products are sold direct and through a global distributor network to research labs, IVF centers, and microscopy facilities.
Is WillCo Wells a public or private company?
WillCo Wells is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was WillCo Wells founded?
WillCo Wells was founded in 1996. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is WillCo Wells based?
WillCo Wells is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does WillCo Wells make money?
One revenue line is on record: product Sales.
Who are WillCo Wells's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are World Precision Instruments (WPI) and Paul Marienfeld GmbH & Co. KG. Zeiss (Carl Zeiss Microscopy) is listed as an others. Direct peers are Ibidi GmbH, MatTek Life Sciences and Cellvis. Broad incumbents are Eppendorf, Corning Life Sciences and Thermo Fisher Scientific (Nunc / Lab-Tek). Glaswarenfabrik Karl Hecht GmbH is listed as a regional player.
Does WillCo Wells have an API?
No public API is recorded for WillCo Wells.
What industry is WillCo Wells in?
WillCo Wells's product category is Laboratory Glassware. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAIAE, Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments. Its NAICS code is 327213 and its SIC code is 3221.