USound has brought the next level of integration to the audio industry
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Data sheet
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Summary sheet
Release date
6 October 2021
Status
Reference
Signed | 23/07/2021
20210236
Project name
Promoter - financial intermediary
USOUND (EGF VD)
USOUND GMBH
Proposed EIB finance (Approximate amount)
Total cost (Approximate amount)
EUR 15 million
EUR 33 million
Description
Objectives
USound is an Austrian company active in the development of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technologies for audio applications. The fabless company offers its silicon-based speakers to be integrated into a variety of personal electronic devices, enabling their miniaturisation and lower power consumption.
The objectives of the EIB financing are to support the company to mitigate the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic and to execute its growth investments, mainly in research and development (R&D) and commercial expansion.
Additionality and Impact
The project supports the policy objective of support for SMEs, as well as research and development by providing tailored venture debt financing to an innovative start-up in the area of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technologies for audio applications, enabling miniaturisation and lower power consumption of audio devices such as smartphones and wearables.
The project entails positive knowledge spillovers related to audio technologies, MEMS and integrated circuit design, strengthening EU innovation in key enabling technologies.
EIB's financial contribution facilitates the SME's sustainable growth and helps to maintain its technological edge, despite the adverse economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. Furthermore, it provides a positive signalling effect to crowd-in further financing from private investors.
Environmental aspects
Procurement
The project activities do not fall under the Annexes I or II of the EU Directive2014/52/EU amending the EIA Directive 2011/92/EU. The project will be carried out in existing facilities, already authorised, that will not change their scope due to the project. As such, the project activities are not subject to a mandatory environmental impact assessment (EIA).
The Promoter is a private company not operating in the utilities sector and not having the status of a contracting entity, and thus is not subject to EU rules on public procurement. Under these conditions, the procurement procedures followed by the Promoter are suitable for the project.
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Summary sheet
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Data sheet
Disclaimer
Before financing approval by the Board of Directors, and before loan signature, projects are under appraisal and negotiation. The information and data provided on this page are therefore indicative.
They are provided for transparency purposes only and cannot be considered to represent official EIB policy (see also the Explanatory notes).
News & Stories
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Inside the project
How and Why
From mechanics to microelectronics
Why
- The audio components in smartphones, tablets and headphones haven’t transitioned yet to digital electronics
- Components in this sector are “technologically obsolete”
- Microelectromechanical speakers did not exist until now
How
- By replacing the coil in conventional speakers with silicon, USound speakers are lighter and smaller
- TMicro-loudspeakers based on MEMS (microelectromechanical system) technology
- Microelectromechanical systems combine mechanical and electrical components and are made using semiconductor fabrication techniques
- To radiate sound, air must be moved. To move more air, the small MEMS structure is connected to a membrane that expands the movement over a larger surface
Sectors & Countries
Play video
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The European Investment Bank has given us a tremendous boost to ramp-up and scale in the midst of a pandemic
Listen with your eyes
USound partnered with companies around the world to enable state-of-the-art audio devices. Focally is launching the world's first full-colour, micro-LED augmented-reality glasses with fully see-through display and USound MEMS speakers.
Luxshare-ICT, one of the largest suppliers for global consumer electronics brands, chose USound as its strategic MEMS speaker supplier for its new ultra-compact hybrid audio module, in mass production throughout 2023.
USound has also recently launched a new audio amplifier to boost the battery life of hearing aids and smart glasses. Its next challenge is to scale mass production for this new audio amplifier and market devices for headphones, mobile phones and tablets, and televisions.
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The sound of glasses
Austrian high-tech firm USound pioneers the world’s smallest loudspeakers based on a truly digital technology that requires 80% less power
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