Pennsylvania-based startup Mosqitter unveiled its AI-powered disease monitoring system at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 on Tuesday. The company builds chemical-free mosquito traps and now plans to turn them into a global surveillance network.
Mosqitter’s traps lure female mosquitoes by mimicking human cues like body heat, skin odor, and light. Its flagship Grand model also releases CO2 to simulate human breathing. The devices then use a computer-vision system to identify the species of each captured mosquito.
According to CEO Anastasiia Romanova, the process works like “three judges” reaching a verdict. A neural network first analyzes each image. The system then checks results against external datasets, and entomologists validate the findings.
“We saw an opportunity: If we could catch the female mosquito at the point when she is about to lay eggs, we could potentially reduce the mosquito population and prevent it from growing,” Romanova said. “That’s why we combined elements such as heat, similar to the temperature of human skin; scent that imitates human skin odor; and light. In the Grand model,” which is the company’s highest-end offering, “we also use CO2 to imitate human breathing.”
This data now feeds into Febris, the company’s new monitoring platform. Febris assesses disease spread risks based on which species it detects in a given area. However, Romanova stressed that “Febris does not diagnose disease.” Instead, it flags when a high-risk species appears in a region. The platform will officially launch next month and targets governments, airports, and public health agencies.
Mosqitter currently operates over 5,000 devices across five continents. That number has grown sharply from just 250 units in 2022. The company also counts Marriott, Wyndham, Hard Rock, and Disney properties among its clients. Additionally, it works with the UK Health Security Agency to deploy Febris at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Brazil, India, Nigeria, and Greece also serve as key markets.
On the business side, Mosqitter expects over $1 million in revenue for 2026. Moreover, the company projects its Febris data business could top $3.5 million next year. It has raised $1.9 million to date and now seeks $5 million more across two tranches. The startup also graduated from the Techstars accelerator.
The timing matters because mosquito-borne diseases keep rising globally. According to the WHO, global dengue cases jumped from 6.5 million in 2023 to a record 14.6 million in 2024. Rising temperatures and increased global travel continue to expand where disease-carrying mosquitoes can thrive.
Mosqitter sells its Mini trap for $199 and the Grand model for $1,999 in the United States through Amazon and its website.
