Echo Raises $7.5M for Hybrid Microscope

Startup company Echo has received funding in the amount of $7.5 million to scale its manufacturing of a new microscope. The Revolve microscope is a hybrid microscope that switches from upright to inverted modes, with hopes of saving labs money and space, as most labs have both for their research.

The Revolve hybrid microscope. Courtesy of Echo.

In addition to the microscope’s dual function, Echo replaced the device’s traditional eyepieces with an iPad Pro for improved viewing.

The microscopes are manufactured and assembled by hand in Echo’s San Diego offices and cost between $18,000 to $40,000, depending on configuration. Traditional inverted and upright microscopes used in labs cost about the same, meaning customers pay double to have two microscopes with separate functions.

The Revolve is primarily used for bright-field, fluorescence and phase contrast microscopy. Applications include those in life sciences research, universities, biotech and pharmaceuticals.