A record of 90 international sound startups from 37 countries applied for the SoundTech Accelerator Program 2025 – nearly doubling the number from last year.

At Sound Hub Denmark, we are thrilled by the record-breaking global interest among talented startups interested in joining our SoundTech Accelerator to unleash their full market potential.

Almost half applied due to recommendations from previous participants, the Sound Hub network, or based on industry referrals, which leaves a strong indicator of high awareness and acknowledgement of the startup’s benefits from this program, offered by the world’s only international powerhouse for sound innovation.

Trends in Sound Innovation

The startups applying this year cover a diverse range of sound technology applications including medical devices, hearing aids, learning tools, mental health apps, studio and live gear, sound design tools, artist matchmaking platforms, noise reduction solutions, and beyond.

Peter Petersen, CEO of Sound Hub Denmark, states:

We are excited by this year’s high level of professionalism and maturity among applicants. It’s inspiring to see an increasing interest from innovators harnessing sound AI across diverse areas from Health- and MedTech to MusicTech – with a shared focus on improving life and work conditions.

This year highlights several notable trends. Compared to last year, there has been a marked increase in applications from startups within the MusicTech sector, with 38% of the applicants offering innovative solutions such as; new sound design tools, live performance equipment, or matchmaking platforms for the creative industry, many of which being ‘software-first’ companies.

Also, Sound AI-focused startups stood out, with more than a third actively leveraging AI technology.

Additionally, solutions within HealthTech and environmental fields accounted for 23% of the applications, showcasing developments in hearing improvement technologies and new noise reduction solutions.

This year 10% of the applying startups are selected to join the program. The hub is committed also to supporting those who did not make the final cut, via their community network, development- and test support, presence in the co-working space, and offering access to state-of-the-art testing facilities and matchmakings to specialised industry experts.

Startups Value a focused SoundTech Accelerator

The applying startups seek the SoundTech Accelerator to acquire new knowledge from the sound industry, build agile teams, and receive time-saving technical product support to progress with market validation. This includes also product testing, forming strategic partnerships, developing go-to-market strategies, and more.

Sound Hub support these aspirations through an intensive, unique program comprising both physical camps in Denmark and online sprints. Here are some testimonials from last year’s participants:

They really care about what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and they strategically help us identify which parts of the business we need to focus on.

We applied for the SoundTech Accelerator Program because Sound Hub Denmark is embedded in the sound industry ecosystem. We knew this would be a highly valuable program, offering industry expertise, mentorship, and advice from not just the Sound Hub community, but also industry players keen to support startups.

What impressed me the most was that we didn’t have to sit behind our laptops during the program. We were encouraged to go out and engage with the industry.

From application to the final selection

Nine startups were ultimately selected for the SoundTech Accelerator Program 2025 and have already met online once and will together with their team join the program’s first camp in Denmark in early March.

More than 50 interviews were conducted with founding teams to ensure the best fit for the program and the accompanying investment from SoundInvest to those selected.

This was done during October and November, resulting in a shortlist of 12 startups in December, all with a strong alignment to the program’s goal. In early January, a Selection Board made the final ranking of the startups based on their market potential, product or solution novelty, the problem they address, their competitive edge, and the scalability of their business resulting in the selected few.

Sound Hub Denmark is proud to announce its involvement in the launch of Radiant Acoustics, a new Danish speaker
brand set to redefine the compact speaker market.

Officially launched on 18 September, Radiant Acoustics introduces their Clarity 6.2 speakers, bringing high-end audio to
a broader audience at an affordable price, thanks to groundbreaking technologies such as PURIFI Audio’s USHINDI drivers
and the use of Sound Hub’s testing facilities and expertise.

Sound Lab Facilities and Expertise at the Forefront

The Lyngdorf Group, which includes Nordic Hi-Fi, Dali, Steinway Lyngdorf and, not least, the retail network Hi-Fi
Klubben, has utilised Sound Hub Denmark’s world-class testing expertise and measurement facilities to validate and
fine-tune their first product under the Radiant Acoustics brand.

Specifically, The Mini Cube, power test facilities, and our standardised Listening Room have played a key role in
ensuring the highest levels of audio quality for the speakers. See below a photo from the testing in The Mini Cube of
Sound Hub Denmark.

One of our in-house experts, Jens Schönemann-Paul from the local company Schacoustics, contributed to the system design and simulations, component
selection, tuning, and the design of the electrical and acoustic performance, as well as the robustness of these
speakers.

Stimulating Collaborative Innovation

At Sound Hub Denmark, we are thrilled to have supported the development of Radiant Acoustics through the use of our
state-of-the-art facilities and extensive in-house professional network. This collaboration proves that a cooperative
mindset among experts, combined with the right environment, stimulates the creation of innovative solutions that push
the boundaries of sound design and sound experiences. The birth of Radiant Acoustics and the launch of their Clarity 6.2
speakers, proudly ‘Made in Denmark’, is a prime example of the power of a unique Danish ecosystem.

The idea behind: Radiant Acoustics

See the launch video: ‘Behind Radiant Acoustics:
Clarity 6.2 | Innovative Technologies & Craftsmanship’ with footage from Sound Hub Denmark with Jens
Schönemann-Paul from 10:50 – 12:04 and 14:55 – 15:04.

Empowering Innovation with a Startup Mindset

Sound Hub Denmark’s collaborative community and competence centre, offering fast iterations based on a startup mindset,
empowers innovation through testing and product validations. Radiant Acoustics, as a spin-out of one of Denmark’s most
successful audio groups, is a testament to this environment, where Sound Hub supports innovations with sound.

The collaboration with Radiant Acoustics is a perfect example of Sound Hub’s vision to become a global powerhouse for
sound innovation and an ideal partner in shaping the businesses of tomorrow.

We are proud of our in-house world-class experts and facilities’ contribution to Radiant Acoustics’
innovation.  Let this example inspire others, both large and small companies, to make use of our hub. We are eager
to contribute to groundbreaking work.

says Peter Petersen, CEO of Sound Hub Denmark.

Proud Partnerships Driving Innovation

For more information about Sound Hub Denmark and how to partner with our thriving community, visit www.soundhub.dk or reach out directly at hello@soundhub.dk.

– o0o –

Links:
Sound Hub Denmark, Radiant Acoustics
and Schacoustics.

Photo credits:
Radiant Acoustics

Financial Times has just published an analysis of Europe’s best incubators and accelerators.

Among 2600 hubs, Sound Hub Denmark has been recognized as the best ‘Office & Lab space’ in Europe, the best hub in Denmark, and overall, the 34th highest-ranked startup hub in Europe.

Financial Times has published a compiled ranking of ‘Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs 2024’. In this Sound Hub Denmark has been recognized for its pioneering work as an international incubator and accelerator for startups with sound. A recognition that cements the value of the international environment for sound innovation established in Struer, The City of Sound.

The Financial Times has analysed 2,600 hubs to find the 125 most recognized in Europe. The list includes everything from established universities to corporate incubators, to fully commercial accelerators.

The analysis is primarily based on statements from former incubator/accelerator participants within six categories. Independent experts, including angel investors, VCs, entrepreneurs and academics have also provided input.

If you dive into the published analysis, Sound Hub Denmark has achieved the below-listed rankings among the 125 most recognized startup hubs in Europe:

• No. 1 – The highest-ranked Office & Lab space in Europe
• No. 1 – The highest-ranked startup hub in Denmark
• No. 4 – The 4th among startup hubs in Scandinavia & the Baltics
• No. 18 – Best ranking among the surveyed former program participants (so-called: alumni)
• No. 34 – In the overall ranking of the recognised 125 best hubs in Europe
• No. 39 – Best ranking within networking
• No. 51 – Best ranking within mentoring and training

Since its establishment in 2018, Sound Hub Denmark has developed and run Danish incubation programs and international accelerator programs, including the world’s only soundtech accelerator program. The persistent work of supporting talented startups using sound is now recognized in this European mapping.

An important recognition of sound innovation in Denmark

CEO of Sound Hub Denmark, Peter Petersen sees this as a great recognition:

We are honoured that our former program participants in this way recognize and value Sound Hub’s support on their growth journey.

And proud that our environment for sound innovation is now listed among the top third of all hubs in Europe.

At the same time, it emphasizes the importance of access to relevant workspaces, test facilities/labs and 1:1 advice from experts. In today’s business life with an ever-increasing number of virtual/hybrid connection points, it is still considered of high value for innovation and accelerator communities like ours; for the startups to have access to relevant coworking and lab facilities.

See link to Financial Times: Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs 2024

See Sound Hub Denmark’s announcement: On LinkedIn

About the SoundTech Accelerator Program
The SoundTech Accelerator Program is a 5-month growth program where selected innovative startups, where sound is part of the solution or problem, are supported on their growth journey within business development, market validation, target customers, technology, product development, go-to-market strategies, partnerships, investments, etc. Through the program, the talented startups gain new knowledge, methods, and competencies in supplement to access to relevant networks. The accelerator program is the only one of its kind in the world and attracts a large number of applicants every year. The program is owned by Sound Hub Denmark, which also houses the program’s physical camps. The program content is facilitated in partnership with experts and leading global players from the international sound industry. Learn more here.

The accelerator and incubator environment at Sound Hub Denmark is now further strengthened by the founding of SoundInvest.
A new venture fund for early preseed investments directly into the pool of talented soundtech startups from all over the world.

The fund’s search for additional co-investors has already begun.

The owners behind Sound Hub Denmark, Færchfonden and Vald. Birn Holding, has just founded SoundInvest, which through their fund will invest in the soundtech startups taking part in Sound Hub Denmark’s global SoundTech Accelerator Program.

A unique, progressive, and international venture fund

SoundInvest adds a unique investment leg for global entrepreneurs within sound to join Sound Hub. Michael Rohde Böwadt, appointed CEO at SoundInvest, describes the fund’s mandate as follows:

SoundInvest is unique. It is the first time that a venture fund focuses exclusively on investments in soundtech. This is made possible through the internationalization that characterizes the technology and business acceleration environment at Sound Hub Denmark, which means that a large part of our investments will be in international startups with global growth potential. An approach which also makes it interesting for larger and international industry players to co-invest.

          Photo: CEO of SoundInvest, Michael Rohde Böwadt

Self-reinforcing partnership for growth with sound

The investments in startups will be based on a close collaboration between SoundInvest and Sound Hub Denmark. The two companies have partnered up on talent recruitment and preseed investments, adding an early capital injection into the selected startups from the recognized and globally oriented SoundTech Accelerator Program. Peter Petersen, CEO of Sound Hub Denmark, looks forward to the collaboration with SoundInvest:

It is a huge growth opportunity for the participating startups in our SoundTech Accelerator Program that they are not only offered help on business development and technical innovation but now also secured a direct investment as an injection to their growth journey. Further, the collaboration will ensure a more long-term and financially sustainable model for the accelerator program.

 Photo: CEO of Sound Hub Denmark, Peter Petersen

Benefit to the sound innovation and accelerator environment of Denmark

Aside from making the SoundTech Accelerator Program financially sustainable, the added investment opportunity holds great development potential for Sound Hub Denmark as a whole:

Innovation and accelerator environments, such as Sound Hub Denmark, really gain momentum when financial players and major industry players become interested and start investing in the growth layer. That is why SoundInvest is a significant addition to Sound Hub Denmark. The presence of venture capital can also further increase Sound Hub Denmark’s appeal to international startups coming to Denmark when investment opportunities also become part of the offered package,

explains Tue Mantoni, former CEO of Bang & Olufsen and former chairman of The Danish Growth Fund.

Co-investments from the sound industry

The goal for SoundInvest’s first venture fund is to have a capital of DKK 22 million. Two-thirds of this amount has been raised already, mainly with investments from Vald. Birn Holding and Færchfonden. Kim Rishøj Holding and MIROBO Holding are also among the first investors. With this capital in place, the venture fund is now being launched and the search for potential co-investors (limited partners) intensified.

Michael Rohde Böwadt, who is at the forefront of getting more investors on board, explains:

Sound Hub Denmark has achieved international recognition in the sound and acoustic domain through its accelerator programs. Foreign and Danish international players are therefore already showing interest in the possibility of being a co-investor with venture capital to particularly innovative startups within soundtech.

The interest from foreign and Danish international players, also supports Michael Rohde Böwadt’s ambition for SoundInvest to launch an even bigger venture fund:

It is the ambition of SoundInvest to establish a second venture fund within a few years, where up to DKK 120 million will be raised for investment in soundtech startups. The potential of raising capital of that magnitude is present based on the interest among the international bigger players with whom we are in contact.

Expectations of market-compliant returns and growth in the region of Northwest Jutland

Claus Omann Jensen, CEO of Færchfonden explains, that it is expected that SoundInvest will provide both financial return and benefit the city and region of Northwest Jutland, where Sound Hub Denmark is located:

Based on our experiences with Sound Hub Denmark’s incubation environment, we are convinced that SoundInvest will generate a market-compliant return and as well contribute to increased growth in Struer and the rest of Northwest Jutland, i.e. because the startups see a benefit in establishing themselves here to stay close to the international powerhouse of Sound Hub Denmark.

The City of Sound welcomes the new investment opportunities

Struer already known as the “City of Sound”, due to the history of Bang & Olufsen, a division of Harman, Sound Hub Denmark and now also SoundInvest, welcomes the new initiative. The mayor Marianne Bredal concludes:

Struer Municipality has over the past five years been a significant partner in Sound Hub Denmark. The hub has created weight behind our place branding, as it has created jobs and business entities here. Struer Municipality is pleased that more risk-averse investors will look towards the City of Sound in Denmark for support of even more of the entrepreneurs and startups visiting and establishing themselves in our municipality.

About SoundInvest A/S

SoundInvest A/S is founded by Vald. Birn Holding A/S and Færchfonden. As a management company it will run the venture fund SoundInvest Fund I and cooperate with Sound Hub Denmark on, e.g., recruitment of startups for the SoundTech Accelerator Program. The venture fund will then invest in the startups selected. The goal of the venture fund is to raise a capital of DKK 22 million. A “first close” of SoundInvest Fund I has been completed so the venture fund can make its first investments during Autumn 2023, while the search continues for co-investors for a “second close” of the fund. For SoundInvest, it is the ambition to launch an additional venture fund, SoundInvest Fund II, with a three-digit million amount in venture capital within three years. The board of SoundInvest A/S consists of Henrik Lundum (CEO of NOVI A/S), as well as Claus Omann Jensen (CEO of Færchfonden) and Leif Jensen (CEO of Vald. Birn Holding A/S). Michael Rohde Böwadt is appointed CEO.