Omen AI acquires aquatic labs to enhance water monitoring for data center cooling

Omen AI, a company founded in 2024 to address water usage in data centers, has acquired competitor Aquatic Labs in a $16 million cash-and-stock transaction. This move integrates Omen’s sensor technology, which detects elements in water, with Aquatic Labs’ sensor that tests alkalinity, creating a more comprehensive view of cooling fluids. Omen AI previously secured $31 million in a Series A funding round in June. The acquisition unites founder Zach Laberge, who previously worked on hydraulic fluid analysis, with Allan Adams, a physicist and former MIT professor. Adams will join Omen as chief science officer. The combined entity aims to market its integrated sensor by early next year. Laberge noted that Omen’s initial sensors will monitor chips drawing 250 to 300 MW of power by the close of this year, with aspirations to cover 1 GW of chips by the end of 2027. The technology helps data center operators minimize costs by allowing longer fluid use and reducing shutdowns. Adams expressed interest in broader applications, noting that measuring water quality is crucial for responsible management of the water cycle, from data centers to municipal systems. Meanwhile, Omen AI remains unconcerned by recent market skepticism regarding AI infrastructure spending, as Laberge stated their current projects were financed months prior.