What Turku BioImaging does

Turku BioImaging (TBI) is a university-affiliated research infrastructure organization jointly operated by the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, headquartered in BioCity Turku, Finland. The organization functions as a broad-based, interdisciplinary science and infrastructure umbrella that coordinates bioimaging services across seven associated imaging facilities spanning nanoscale electron microscopy, super-resolution light microscopy, and clinical PET imaging. TBI manages the Finnish nodes of Euro-BioImaging ERIC, coordinates funding acquisition for imaging instrumentation, and operates an international MSc Programme in Biomedical Imaging (BIMA).

Its core offerings include the Image Data Analysis Team (IDAT), which provides open-access consulting, analysis pipelines, and data management services using the OMERO platform, complemented by proprietary open-source software (BioImageXD, Carimas, AMIDA), Fiji/ImageJ plugins (Filopodia Counter, ColonyArea, Split and Merge), and the Ocul-AR mobile application for microscopy training. The organization also runs the Field of View research program, the annual Turku Imaging Day symposium, and the Life Science Pixel Lab multimedia service.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model comprising research grants (FIRI, ERDF), MSc tuition from non-EU/EEA students (€12,000/year), usage-based image data services for academic and industry customers (€45/h academic, €225 consultation), and community engagement events. Customers include academic researchers, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, hospital research laboratories, international MSc students, and Euro-BioImaging member-country researchers.

Name

Turku BioImaging

Legal name

Turku BioImaging

Website

https://bioimaging.fi

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Turku BioImaging is a university-affiliated research infrastructure organization jointly operated by the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University. It coordinates bioimaging facilities, image data analysis services, an international MSc programme, and open-source software tools for academic, clinical, and industry researchers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bioimaging Research Infrastructure

NAICS

Medical Laboratories (621511)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071)

akta.pro primary industry

SaMD – Imaging & Signal Analysis (AI/ML) (HLACANAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Medical Imaging AI (HDAAAEAH), Digital & AI-Enabled Diagnostics (algorithmic interpretation, decision support tied to assays) (HLAAALAO)

Keywords

• Bioimaging research services
• Microscopy infrastructure
• Biomedical imaging education
• Image data analysis
• Open access imaging facilities

Headquarters

HQ city

Turku

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Open Access Imaging Services: TBI-associated imaging facilities provide open access services ranging from molecular and cellular imaging and high content analysis to whole animal and human imaging. Services are provided to academic users and industry customers.
2. International Education: MSc Programme in Biomedical Imaging generates tuition revenue from non-EU/EEA students at €12,000 per academic year. EU/EEA nationals are exempt from tuition fees.
3. Industrial Image Data Services: Image data analysis services for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and life science industry customers, including consultation, analysis pipelines, and training.
4. Research Funding: Organization is funded by Research Council of Finland FIRI funding, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) projects, and coordinates funding acquisition for imaging instrumentation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Turku BioImaging (TBI) is an interdisciplinary academic research infrastructure umbrella jointly operated by the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University that provides open-access bioimaging services, image data analysis, and biomedical imaging education. It coordinates seven imaging facilities spanning molecular, cellular, whole-animal, and human imaging modalities, offers fee-based image data analysis services to academic and industry customers, and runs an international MSc programme in Biomedical Imaging. The organization also develops proprietary open-source software tools (BioImageXD, Carimas, AMIDA, Ocul-AR) and manages the Finnish node of Euro-BioImaging ERIC.

Product overview

Turku BioImaging is a broad-based, interdisciplinary science and infrastructure umbrella organization jointly operated by the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University. The core offerings include the Image Data Analysis Team (IDAT) services providing open-access image data analysis and management, supported by the OMERO platform. The portfolio spans specialized software tools (BioImageXD, Carimas, AMIDA), open-source Fiji/ImageJ plugins (Filopodia Counter, ColonyArea, Split and Merge), the Ocul-AR mobile application for microscopy training, and the international MSc Programme in Biomedical Imaging (BIMA). Additional offerings include the Field of View research program, Life Science Pixel Lab multimedia services, and industry-focused image data services. The organization also provides access to world-class imaging facilities across nanoscale, cellular, preclinical, and medical imaging modalities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ocul-AR: A mobile application developed to guide researchers and students from training to independent microscopy users. Ocul-AR strengthens microscopy knowledge before starting imaging sessions and guides users to operate microscopes independently.
• Field of View
• Turku Imaging Day
• Life Science Pixel Lab

Products and services

• Image Data Analysis Team (IDAT) Services Open-access service providing consultation, analysis pipelines, and complete analysis-as-a-service for image data from academic and industry customers. Operated by the Image Data Analysis Team using platforms like OMERO, Fiji, Ilastik, CellProfiler, and QuPath.
• Image Data Services for Industry Dedicated open-access service offering expert advice, imaging equipment access, training, image analysis, and data management for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and life science companies.
• MSc Programme in Biomedical Imaging (BIMA) Two-year full-time international Master of Science programme (120 ECTS) jointly offered by Åbo Akademi University and University of Turku, providing extensive education in imaging methods, applications, biomedical technologies, and image analysis.
• Ocul-AR Mobile Application Virtual and augmented reality-powered mobile application that guides researchers and students from training to independent microscopy users, strengthening microscopy knowledge before imaging sessions.
• BioImageXD Software Open-source software package for processing, analyzing, and visualizing multidimensional biomedical image data, especially suitable for 3D and 4D cellular images, enabling noise reduction, morphological operations, colocalization analyses, segmentation, motion tracking, deconvolution, and 3D/4D rendering.
• Carimas Software Software platform for processing medical images from PET, SPECT, CT, and MRI modalities, with visualization tools, ROI/VOI analysis, numeric analyses, and modeling methods.
• AMIDA Software Automated Morphometric Image Data Analysis software for rapid high-throughput analysis of large numbers of confocal microscopy images, extracting morphometric features based on size, shape, or texture of multicellular organoids.
• Filopodia Counter Plugin Fiji/ImageJ plugin for analyzing filopodia in cell migration studies and determining percentage area covered by crystal violet stained cell colonies in colony formation assays.
• ColonyArea Plugin ImageJ plugin optimized for standard analysis of colony formation assays conducted in 6- to 24-well dishes.
• Field of View Research Program BioCity Turku research program focusing on imaging applications, methodology, and analysis expertise to facilitate multi-disciplinary collaboration across different application areas, hosting seminars, workshops, and the Catalyst Fund.
• Life Science Pixel Lab Multimedia production service offering video production, project branding, and print materials for the scientific community in Turku.
• Turku BioImaging Black Book Comprehensive reference resource covering the entire spectrum of bioimaging from nanoscale to medical imaging, including imaging techniques, sample preparation, and analysis methods.

Quantifiable outcome

• Turku Imaging Day events have grown from 150+ to 180-190 participants annually
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

AI capability7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of TurkucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint operator of Turku BioImaging alongside Åbo Akademi University. Provides faculty, facilities, and academic programs including the MSc in Biomedical Imaging.
• Åbo Akademi UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint operator of Turku BioImaging alongside University of Turku. Provides faculty, facilities, and the Advanced Imaging Core infrastructure.
• Euro-BioImaging ERICcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTBI manages Euro-BioImaging Finland and serves as the Finnish node of this European research infrastructure for imaging technologies. Provides user access, training and data services.
• Global BioImagingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network bringing together imaging professionals, scientists and science policy officers from around the globe to network and build capacity internationally.
• Biocenter FinlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides technology services to the entire Finnish research community based on open access concept.
• Turku Bioscience CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHouses the Advanced Imaging Core (AIC-Turku) providing centralized open-access service platform for conventional and advanced light microscopy.
• Turku PET CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides PET expertise in drug discovery and development, clinical expertise linking pathophysiology with disease, human and animal PET imaging studies.
• Turku Center for Disease ModellingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides expertise in disease modeling and MRI, PET, X-ray, ultrasound and optical imaging with experimental animals.
• Turku University of Applied SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in Ocul-AR mobile app development and Saariston kuva environmental imaging project.
• Field of View Research ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBioCity Turku research program focusing on imaging applications in biological and medical discoveries. Organizes seminars, workshops, and Turku Imaging Day events.
• Turku University of Applied Sciences Water and Environmental EngineeringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Saariston kuva project for developing image analysis methods for monitoring Archipelago Sea eutrophication.
• Life Science Pixel LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultimedia production service within TBI for producing visual, digital and print marketing materials for the scientific community.
• Turku Game-Lab (Turku University of Applied Sciences)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on initial development of Ocul-AR mobile app as a Capstone project.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL): Intergovernmental life-sciences research organization with extensive imaging capabilities and service infrastructure across multiple sites. Comparable as a larger, broader European life-science infrastructure that overlaps in imaging expertise and training programs.

Direct peers

• Global BioImaging: International network connecting imaging infrastructures worldwide. TBI is an active participant; comparable as an international capacity-building and exchange platform for bioimaging facilities.
• SciLifeLab: Swedish national life-science research infrastructure distributed across universities with a strong imaging and technology platforms track. Highly comparable governance and funding model (national + university + EU grants).
• Arivis (ZEISS): Commercial 3D/4D image analysis platform (now part of ZEISS) competing in the same end-user workflows as BioImageXD and Carimas. Most direct commercial comparator for TBI's proprietary image-analysis software portfolio.
• France BioImaging (FBI): French national bioimaging infrastructure offering open-access imaging platforms, training, and image analysis services. Closely comparable mission, funding model (national + EU), and node-based structure across academic imaging facilities.
• BioImaging UK: UK-wide network coordinating light microscopy and bioimage analysis capabilities across universities. Comparable national-scale umbrella for open-access imaging infrastructure and training.
• BioImaging North America (BINA): North American consortium coordinating bioimaging facilities, community standards, and training. Comparable as a federated network of core facilities advancing open-access microscopy and bioimage analysis.
• Euro-BioImaging ERIC: Pan-European research infrastructure consortium for imaging technologies in which TBI serves as the Finnish node. Most directly comparable as the network TBI both participates in and operationally manages via its staff.
• German BioImaging (GERBI): German bioimaging network coordinating access, training, and technology development across German imaging core facilities. Similar academic-coordinator role with national funding base and EU network integration.
• Helmholtz Imaging: Cross-center imaging platform under Germany's Helmholtz Association covering multiple modalities and AI-based image analysis. Comparable scale, modality breadth, and emphasis on AI-driven biomedical image analysis.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/turkubioimaging
• GitHubgithub.com/Turku-BioImaging
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCaIPGfp-R9KjgXtVLAXgaCQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/turkubioimaging
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/turku-bioimaging
• Instagraminstagram.com/turku_bioimaging

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Turku BioImaging