Automata Technologies Secures $40 Million Funding to Accelerate Lab Automation Innovation
October 3, 2023
Automata Technologies, a London-based company specialising in automation for life sciences laboratories, has recently secured $40 million in funding. The investment, led by Dimension with participation from A.P. Moller Holding and several returning investors, signifies a significant milestone for the company.
With this infusion of capital, Automata aims to accelerate its growth and expand its presence across the United States, United Kingdom, and the EMEA region. Under the leadership of CEO Mostafa Elsayed, Automata has developed the LINQ automation platform, which encompasses both software and hardware components tailored to streamline laboratory processes.
At the core of Automata's offerings is its LINQ automation platform, designed to empower scientists with tools for designing, scheduling, and executing workflows seamlessly. The platform integrates proprietary hardware, facilitating modular configurations, higher throughputs, and parallel workflows, while ensuring data availability at every stage of experimentation. Moreover, Automata adopts an OEM agnostic approach, enabling seamless integration with third-party instrumentation.
The significance of Automata's technology extends beyond mere automation; it addresses critical challenges faced by scientific organisations today. Laboratories increasingly prioritise speed and flexibility in experimentation and data collection, amidst constraints such as limited real estate and a shortage of skilled personnel. Automata's LINQ platform caters to these evolving needs, offering adaptability for diverse laboratory settings, whether in research institutions, hospitals, or pharmaceutical companies.
The recent funding round, spearheaded by Dimension and A.P. Moller Holding, reflects strong investor confidence in Automata's potential to revolutionise lab automation. Nan Li, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Dimension, emphasises the need for precision and scalability in modern laboratories, qualities epitomised by Automata's modular software and hardware solutions.
Chetan Mehta, Head of Growth Equity at A.P. Moller Holding, underscores Automata's role in driving innovation within the life sciences industry. By increasing throughput, reducing costs, and accelerating research, Automata empowers its customers to push the boundaries of medical and life science research.
The trajectory of Automata's success is evident in its recent achievements. Following a $50 million Series B round in January 2022, the company has witnessed remarkable growth, with a 150% increase in revenue and a twelve-fold surge in live system hours deployed by customers. Notable clients include prestigious organisations such as NHS Trusts, academic institutions like The Francis Crick Institute, and leading pharmaceutical companies like Astra Zeneca.
In essence, Automata's latest funding milestone underscores its commitment to driving innovation in lab automation. With a focus on geographical expansion and product development, the company is poised to further enhance its impact on scientific research worldwide. As Mostafa Elsayed, Founder and CEO of Automata, aptly states, "The raise enables us to continue to focus on our existing and upcoming deployments as well as continuing to develop products that transform how scientists interact with their labs."
Ultimately, Automata's mission transcends mere automation; it represents a paradigm shift in how laboratories operate, ushering in an era of efficiency, scalability, and scientific advancement.