bNovate Technologies Launches BactoSense ID, Detecting Water Bacteria in Under 60 Minutes

Lausanne-based bNovate Technologies has launched BactoSense ID, an automated microbiological monitoring solution that detects and quantifies E. coli, coliforms and enterococci in wastewater and bathing water in under 60 minutes, against 18 to 72 hours for traditional lab testing. The company has sold 500 systems worldwide, startupticker.ch reported on October 19, 2026.

What BactoSense ID Detects and Who It Serves

bNovate's earlier solutions measured overall bacterial populations in water. BactoSense ID identifies and quantifies specific groups of bacteria that water professionals care about, including coliforms and enterococci, with E. coli to follow, according to the company. The technology is aimed at wastewater, water reuse and bathing water, where these bacteria indicate microbiological water quality.

Karim El Koury, bNovate's chief marketing officer, told startupticker.ch that the new applications still depend heavily on periodic lab samples, where results usually take days to process. BactoSense ID does not replace regulatory lab tests; it complements them by providing visibility between lab tests, which the company said lets operators detect changes earlier and act on timely data. Examples the company gave include optimizing the amount of chemicals used to disinfect, diverting contaminated water in time, and helping close or reopen swimming sites earlier.

"We are really proud of our engineering capabilities, and you can absolutely expect solutions for other bacteria to come," El Koury said. "We would also like to acknowledge the great support received from InnoSuisse and so many others in developing our new BactoSense ID technology."

bNovate has more than 500 systems operating worldwide, performing more than a million automated microbiological measurements per year, El Koury said. Customers range from drinking-water utilities to pharmaceutical, food and beverage and other industrial companies, with L'Occitane, Severn Trent and BWT among its partners. The company is also exploring the semiconductor market and cooling systems, particularly for data centers. Its solutions are deployed internationally through bNovate directly and a growing network of specialized distribution and service partners, and a BactoSense most recently reached Greenland, El Koury added.

bNovate's Funding and Partnership Record

According to akta.pro company records, bNovate secured EUR 4 million in EU grant funding in February 2025 for water system protection projects, broadening its capital base beyond venture equity. The company entered the Middle East in July 2025 through the HBKU SMART-Distribution project in Qatar with Kahramaa, using Education City as a living lab and aligning with Qatar's National Water Management Plan 2030. Its Series C round, announced in June 2023, raised CHF 12 million led by Emerald Technology Ventures with participation from existing shareholders.

BactoSense's US and Canadian Distribution

Best Water Science, bNovate's US distribution partner, represents the company at the AWWA-ACE26 trade show at Booth 3949 in June 2026, providing live demonstrations and localized support for BactoSense in the US market. PR'eautech serves as the authorized distributor for bNovate's BactoSense products in Canada.