# Omen AI acquires Aquatic Labs for $16M to improve data center cooling sensors

Digest AI · Hardware & Compute · published 2026-11-02T15:00:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/omen-ai-acquires-aquatic-labs-for-16m-to-improve-data-center-cooling-s

## Summary

Omen AI, a startup founded in 2024 to monitor cooling fluids in data centers, announced it acquired Aquatic Labs for $16 million in cash and stock. The deal combines Omen’s sensors, which detect elements in water, with Aquatic Labs’ technology for measuring alkalinity. Both startups were introduced by an investor in the filtration space, and their complementary approaches aim to create a more comprehensive real-time monitoring system for cooling fluids, reducing downtime and water waste in data centers.

The combined company expects to launch its integrated sensor by early 2027. Omen’s initial focus is on data centers consuming 250 to 300 MW of power, valued at $5 to $7 billion, with plans to expand to 1 GW by the end of 2027. Founder Zach Laberge and Aquatic Labs’ CEO Allan Adams—an MIT physicist—lead the effort. Adams envisions broader applications beyond data centers, emphasizing responsible water management in AI infrastructure. Despite recent skepticism about AI infrastructure spending, Omen’s team remains confident in the long-term demand for their technology, citing pre-existing projects financed months ago.

## Key points

- Omen AI acquires Aquatic Labs for $16 million in cash and stock to merge complementary water-sensing technologies
- Combined sensor aims to monitor data center cooling fluids in real time, reducing downtime and water waste
- Omen targets 250–300 MW data centers by year-end, with 1 GW expansion planned by late 2027

## Why it matters

Real-time cooling fluid monitoring could cut water use and downtime in data centers, addressing a growing environmental and operational challenge for AI infrastructure scaling.

## Sources

1. [Omen AI adds liquid know-how in $16 million Aquatic Labs acquisition](https://techcrunch.com/2026/11/02/omen-ai-adds-liquid-know-how-in-16-million-aquatic-labs-acquisition) (TechCrunch AI, 2026-11-02)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Omen AI acquires Aquatic Labs for $16M to improve data center cooling sensors", 2 November 2026, https://digestai.news/story/omen-ai-acquires-aquatic-labs-for-16m-to-improve-data-center-cooling-s

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