Hamburg-based life sciences startup mo:re is set to transform laboratory research after securing €2.3 million in seed funding. To commercialize its fully automated 3D cell culture platform. A breakthrough technology designed to simplify complex cell culture workflows and speed up drug discovery.
For years, researchers have faced slow, inconsistent, and labor-intensive processes when cultivating organoids. Miniature, lab-grown versions of human organs used in drug testing. As global regulators, including the FDA, shift away from animal testing, the demand for high-throughput, reproducible organoid models has skyrocketed. mo:re’s cutting-edge platform is designed to meet this need, providing a standardized and scalable solution for the pharmaceutical industry.
The seed round was led by High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), with participation from Innovationsstarter Fonds Hamburg (IFH), Gilson Inc., NEDGEX, Nidobirds Ventures, and private investors R&R Medical and Martin Blüggel. Although the startup did not disclose its valuation. The funding will accelerate the product’s market launch and expand mo:re’s internal R&D capabilities.
Unveiled at SLAS 2025 in San Diego — the world’s largest laboratory automation trade show. Mo:re’s platform stands out by automating the entire 3D cell culture workflow. Unlike other lab technologies that handle just one piece of the process, mo:re covers everything. From planning and cultivation to analysis — ensuring consistent, reproducible results.
Designed for ease of use, the system allows researchers to produce complex organoid models without specialized expertise in cell biology. By eliminating common bottlenecks, the platform opens the door for more labs to adopt advanced 3D cell culture techniques in drug development and disease modeling.
“With this funding, we’re ready to establish our presence in the market and expand our team,” said Lukas Gaats, co-founder and CEO of mo:re. “We’re focused on developing more scientific applications, working closely with customers and advancing our internal R&D to unlock the platform’s full potential.”
mo:re is Addressing a Critical Gap in Organoid Research
Founded in 2023 by Lukas Gaats and David Hackenberger, mo:re emerged from a shared mission to solve inefficiencies in the lab automation space. Gaats, with a background in biomedical engineering, identified the market gap during his research at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Hackenberger, an expert in automation and production engineering, ensures seamless integration of hardware and biological workflows as the company’s CTO.
mo:re’s platform also incorporates AI-driven organoid quality prediction, giving researchers the ability to spot potential issues early — a feature designed to improve efficiency and reliability.
Dr. Christian Kannemeier, Senior Investment Manager at HTGF, praised the team’s vision: “mo:re is positioned to offer researchers worldwide a standardized way to perform 3D cell culture and obtain reproducible results.”
Investors see huge potential in mo:re’s technology, especially as the pharmaceutical industry seeks alternatives to animal testing. Stefanie Höhn from IFH highlighted: “mo:re’s platform can redefine non-animal methods in the life sciences sector.”
Dirk Freystadt of Gilson Inc. added that standardized organoid models are crucial for improving speed and accuracy in drug development: “mo:re’s approach enhances the quality and reliability of data, helping the industry reduce reliance on animal testing.”
With plans to dominate the 3D cell culture automation niche in the next three to five years. mo:re is setting its sights on expansion across Europe and the U.S. The company aims to deliver best-in-class organoid models for various organs. Supporting pharmaceutical companies and research labs striving for faster, more ethical drug development.
As demand for scalable and reproducible organoid models grows, mo:re’s automated 3D cell culture platform could become a game-changer. Shaping the future of drug discovery while reducing the need for animal testing.
