Sensicore

About Sensicore

Sensicore, founded in 2000 by Vinay Gupta as a spin-off from the University of Michigan, developed handheld smart sensor systems for chemical monitoring in water. The company was established to provide rapid, on-site water quality analysis, a significant departure from the time-consuming, lab-based testing methods prevalent at the time. Over its lifespan, Sensicore secured $28.6 million in funding across four rounds from investors including Technology Partners, NGEN Partners, Ardesta, and Firelake Capital. The final funding round, a Series C in August 2005, raised $12 million. In April 2008, the company was acquired by Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions and is now considered a deadpooled entity.

The core of Sensicore's business was the manufacturing and development of smart sensor systems and networks for real-time water quality monitoring. The company targeted municipal and industrial clients who required immediate and accurate water profiling for drinking water, wastewater, and industrial applications. Revenue was generated through the sale of its hardware systems and a complementary online data service. The primary product was the WaterPOINT 870, a handheld device that utilized a lab-on-a-chip sensor to analyze water samples. This system could measure up to 18 different parameters—such as pH, chlorine levels, ammonia, and turbidity—within minutes, storing up to 250 profiles in its memory. The device featured Bluetooth connectivity to transfer data wirelessly. Complementing the hardware, Sensicore offered the WaterNOW service, an online data visualization and analysis platform. This software allowed users to monitor water systems in real-time, organize testing procedures, receive alarms for out-of-tolerance conditions, and generate comprehensive reports, creating a more complete picture of water system health.