Omen AI acquires Aquatic Labs for $16 million to expand data center fluid monitoring

Omen AI, a US startup developing real-time sensors for monitoring cooling fluids in data centers, has acquired competitor Aquatic Labs in a $16 million cash-and-stock deal. The acquisition aims to merge complementary sensor technologies to automate fluid monitoring, reduce operational costs, and address the growing water demands of AI infrastructure.

Tarun Mottlia

Editor, Lazyfounder

Published Nov 3, 20263 min read

Omen AI acquires Aquatic Labs for $16 million to expand data center fluid monitoring — Image: Omen AI / Omen AI via source

30 SEC SUMMARY

Omen AI, a US startup building real-time sensors for data center cooling fluids, has acquired competitor Aquatic Labs for $16 million in cash and stock.
The deal combines Omen AI’s elemental water monitoring with Aquatic Labs’ alkalinity testing to automate fluid monitoring and reduce operational costs.
US data centers use 17–19 billion gallons of water annually for cooling, a figure expected to triple in five years.
The combined company aims to launch an integrated sensor by early next year and scale to 1 GW of monitored chips by 2027.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Omen AI acquired Aquatic Labs in a $16 million cash-and-stock deal.
US data centers consume 17 to 19 billion gallons of water annually for cooling, with usage projected to triple in five years.
Omen AI raised a $31 million Series A in June 2026.
The combined company plans to integrate both technologies into a single sensor by early next year and scale monitoring to 1 GW of chips by 2027.
Founders Zach Laberge and Allan Adams bring expertise from fluid analysis in construction and ocean sensing research, respectively.

Why this acquisition happened now

Omen AI was founded in 2024 to address the challenge of monitoring cooling fluids in data centers, where water usage is surging. US data centers currently consume 17 to 19 billion gallons of water annually for cooling, a figure expected to triple in the next five years as AI infrastructure expands.

The acquisition of Aquatic Labs allows Omen AI to combine its elemental water monitoring technology with Aquatic Labs’ alkalinity testing capabilities. This integration aims to create a more comprehensive sensor system, reducing the need for manual testing and minimizing operational risks like valve failures or bacterial growth.

What the combined company plans

The merged team expects to release an integrated sensor by early next year. Omen AI’s current sensors monitor chips pulling 250 to 300 MW of power, with plans to scale to 1 GW by the end of 2027.

Allan Adams, former CEO of Aquatic Labs and now Chief Science Officer of the combined company, brings expertise from ocean sensing research at MIT and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Zach Laberge, Omen AI’s founder, previously developed fluid analysis systems for large construction machines.

Market context for data center cooling

Data center operators often dump cooling fluids when systems risk failure, a costly and wasteful practice. Real-time monitoring can extend water usage and reduce cleanup costs, making it a critical need as data centers scale.

While investor sentiment around AI infrastructure has cooled—with some hyperscaler stocks declining recently—Omen AI’s focus on existing data centers insulates it from broader market fluctuations.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

For founders and operators in AI infrastructure, Omen AI’s acquisition signals a push toward automation in data center cooling—a segment where water efficiency is becoming as critical as energy efficiency. The combined sensor technology could set a new standard for real-time fluid monitoring, potentially lowering operational costs and extending the lifespan of cooling systems. Competitors in this space may need to accelerate their own R&D or explore partnerships to keep pace. The deal also highlights the growing importance of water management in data centers, a often-overlooked aspect of AI infrastructure scaling.

Key takeaways

Omen AI’s acquisition of Aquatic Labs merges complementary sensor technologies to automate data center fluid monitoring, addressing a growing need for water efficiency in AI infrastructure.
The combined company aims to launch an integrated sensor by early 2027 and scale to monitor 1 GW of chips, positioning itself as a leader in real-time cooling fluid analytics.
This deal underscores the urgency of water management in data centers, where usage is projected to triple in five years, creating opportunities for startups focused on sustainability and cost reduction.

Sources

TechCrunch · 2026-11-02
Omen AI adds liquid know-how in $16 million Aquatic Labs acquisition

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