Sherbrooke-based cleantech startup BioAlert Solutions has raised $2.5 million in seed funding to scale its automated water quality monitoring system, which helps detect and manage harmful pathogens such as Legionella in building water systems.
The funding round was co-led by Cycle H2O and GreenSky Ventures, with participation from Fondaction and Spring Impact Capital. Cycle H2O is a water-focused investment initiative created by Cycle Capital and H2O Innovation.
Tackling Legionella and Aiming for Broader Pathogen Detection
BioAlert’s flagship product uses quantitative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to continuously monitor water samples for Legionella bacteria—the pathogen responsible for Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia. The tech is designed for use in cooling systems in high-risk environments such as:
- Hospitals
- Data centres
- Manufacturing plants
The device also connects to a remote management platform, alerting building operators when contamination levels reach a critical threshold.
According to the company, BioAlert’s technology is up to five times more sensitive than current industry standards, helping clients detect threats earlier and take preventative action.
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Inspired by Public Health Crisis, Built for a Safer Future
The company’s mission was shaped by a 2012 Legionella outbreak in Québec City, which killed 14 people and sickened nearly 180. That incident spurred tighter provincial regulations—fueling demand for real-time monitoring solutions like BioAlert’s.
CEO and co-founder Étienne Lemieux said the goal is to make BioAlert the new standard in proactive water safety. He also noted that the technology is already approved by Health Canada and the U.S. FDA, with deployments across Canada and the U.S. in both industrial and government-run facilities.
What’s Next
With this new funding, the startup plans to:
- Expand its installations beyond the 60 sites currently using its technology
- Add detection capabilities for other pathogens like E. coli and salmonella
- Strengthen its position as a leader in real-time water safety tech
“As regulations tighten, real-time monitoring will become essential,” said Michael List, Managing Partner at GreenSky Ventures. “BioAlert is well-positioned to lead this shift.”
BioAlert’s growth also reflects the broader post-COVID trend of using wastewater and water monitoring for public health—a space where rapid, AI-driven detection tools are becoming increasingly critical.
