Oslo-based deep tech company sensiBel has raised 15 million euros in a Series A round led by German-based TRUMPF Venture with the participation of The European Council’s EIC Fund, Skagerak Capital from Kristiansand, Trondheim-based evergreen investment company Investinor, and SINTEF Venture IV. This capital injection will pave the way for the startup to ramp up production. The company will also speed up its R&D activities.
sensiBel completes EUR 15M series A to ramp up production
- sensiBel’s disruptive microphone technology enables true studio-quality performance in a small package
- senisBel’s receives substantial funding from prominent international industry investor TRUMPF Venture plus EIC Fund and leading Norwegian VC investors
“sensiBel’s microphone is a breakthrough innovation that could revolutionize e.g. the fields of voice control and sound detection analytics,” comments Dieter Kraft, Managing Director at TRUMPF Venture.
sensiBel, the disruptive microphone technology company, announces a successful EUR 15 million funding round led by Germany’s TRUMPF Venture and including The European Council’s EIC Fund, Skagerak Capital, Investinor, and SINTEF Venture IV. sensiBel will use the funding to ramp up production.
Dieter Kraft, Managing Director at TRUMPF Venture, comments on the investment in sensiBel: “We are pleased to be able to accompany an excellent team on its journey to success together with strong syndicate partners. The optical MEMS technology from sensiBel is a breakthrough innovation that will revolutionize e.g. the fields of voice control and sound detection and analytics.”
Most microphones used today are based on century-old technology. sensiBel is breaking with the past and introduces its patented optical technology to the microphones to enable true studio-quality performance in a small size package, a quantum leap in performance compared to today’s mainstream MEMS microphones. sensiBel’s ambition is to disrupt the market and enable new and improved user experiences in a wide range of applications.
“We were told a few years back it would not be possible to make a MEMS microphone with 10 times better performance than today’s state-of-the art MEMS microphones. We have now proven with our microphone, tested together with customers, we have such a disruptive performance, and are looking forward to further grow the company together with our experienced investors and great team of employees into all markets where such performance is requested”, said Sverre Dale Moen, CEO of sensiBel.
The funding will enable sensiBel to ramp up production and support development and research activities. Consumer electronics are expected to witness significant growth going forward, driven by a boom in audio related technologies. According to market analytics from Yole Development, audio is the new must-have interface to interact with phones, speakers, cars, and even homes and audio is also bringing new immersive experiences with ANC, and 3D audio, but also sound transparency to better connect with reality.
Egil Garberg, Investment Manager at longstanding sensiBel shareholder Investor, has followed the company for years: “sensiBel is one of the most exciting deep-tech companies in Norway. We have backed the company since 2018 and are looking forward to working closely with new owners with complementary experience and additional capital as we prepare the company for scaling-up,” Garberg said.
“We in the EIC Fund are glad to support the high-tech companies growing globally from Europe, and sensiBel is a remarkable example of technology and team’s dedication to develop the world-class products. It is our mission to back the innovators with vision and private venture investors taking early stage risks to advance technology and best teams into leading companies in their fields of operations.”, said Heidi Kakko member of the EIC Fund Investment Committee.
Terje Berg-Utby, Principal at Skagerak Capital, said: “The extremely improved performance of the sensiBel MEMS microphone compared to competition, enables performance that have never not been possible”, said Terje Berg-Utby, principal at Skagerak Capital. “We are excited about sensiBel, their technology and team and the great feedback the market provides about the needs and opportunities for the sensiBel products”.
Originally published on ArcticStartup : Original article