UniteLabs, a Munich-based startup focused on lab automation for the biotech industry, has raised €2.77 million in pre-seed funding. The round was led by NAP (formerly Cavalry Ventures), with participation from PUSH, Acurio Ventures, OMA Business Angels, and LANA Ventures.
This early-stage funding will support the company's mission to build a universal operating system for biotech labs, enabling standardized, cloud-compatible control of laboratory instruments from different manufacturers.
Biotech companies are increasingly looking to integrate AI into their research workflows. However, a lack of interoperability between lab instruments remains a major obstacle. According to UniteLabs, nearly 90% of lab devices come from different manufacturers and often require months of custom integration just to communicate with one another.
“Many biotech companies want to leverage AI in their labs,” said Robert Zechlin, co-founder and CEO of UniteLabs. “But the biggest challenge is that lab instruments can't communicate with each other. With UniteLabs, we are building the foundation for a shared technical language in the lab.”
Researchers often spend more than half of their time addressing connectivity issues instead of conducting experiments. UniteLabs is addressing this gap by simplifying device control and enabling seamless data access, which is essential for effective AI use in research.
The new funding will be used to grow UniteLabs’ connector library, expand the team, and work closely with pilot users. In the next 12 months, the company plans to double its headcount and build 50 additional device connectors, with a focus on the most widely used liquid-handling systems.
By the end of the year, UniteLabs aims to connect 90 instruments—bringing scalable automation and real-time data integration to nearly half of the biotech labs worldwide.
UniteLabs has already developed 40 connectors for lab instruments, creating a unified platform that enables researchers to control devices and automate workflows across manufacturers. The startup’s first focus is on liquid handlers, which are widely used in applications such as DNA sequencing and COVID-19 testing, yet often suffer from inefficiencies and errors due to manual operation.
“This is just the beginning,” Zechlin said. “Liquid handlers serve as a gateway to lab automation, providing an ideal starting point for expanding to other applications with satisfied customers.”
Future plans include expanding to support a broader range of analytical tools such as plate readers, robotic arms, chromatography systems, and bioreactors.
Founded in Munich by Robert Zechlin, Lukas Bromig (Co-CEO), and Julian Willand (CTO), UniteLabs combines expertise in chemical engineering, information systems, and business strategy. Their platform is positioned to become a foundational layer for AI in biotech.
“Biotech labs are at a turning point,” said Claude Ritter, Managing Partner at NAP. “While AI unlocks unprecedented advancements, most labs lack the technical infrastructure to harness its potential. UniteLabs is building the critical infrastructure to bridge this gap.”
