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.

Before the summer holiday, a selected group of entrepreneurs visited Sound Hub Denmark for the ambitious SoundTech Accelerator Program’s second camp. One of the participants was 27-year-old Navajith Karkera, who travelled from India to participate.

He will return to Struer again this week.

As a vibrant metropolis for companies, developers, and entrepreneurs – both local and global, all within the field of sound – Sound Hub Denmark has managed to appeal to startups from Asia, the US, and Europe with their SoundTech Accelerator. This year, Navajith Karkera and Jagath Biddappa from India took the longest journey.

The program targets entrepreneurs and start-ups using sound tech or sound design. Being the only one of its kind, the program offers acceleration support for both sound technology and business aspects, in which the participants receive sparring and tools to optimise their business potential. The interest is therefore high to get accepted.

A unique tech and business opportunity

One of the passionate entrepreneurs heading to Struer was 27-year-old Navajith Karkera from Rapture Innovation Labs. Together with his friend and co-founder Jagath Biddappa, he travelled from India to Struer to access the sound experts at Sound Hub Denmark.

Rapture is a ten-person company from Mangaluru, India. The company develops headphones under their brand name SonicLamb, which give users a unique and immersive sound experience. They achieve this by using their patented hybrid driver technology that reproduces the melodies through air conduction and bass using bone and skin conduction.

Thereby, you can feel the music throughout your body,

Navajith explains. The team is currently developing two models.

The co-founders had a clear goal in mind as they arrived in Struer by train late one evening; They wanted help optimising their product but were also seeking insight into how to improve their current business practices and market approach.

The great thing about coming to Sound Hub is that there are people who understand sound and can help us build a better product and improve its performance. For us, it’s mainly the expertise in sound and acoustics that is attractive about joining and we’re also keen to explore the market opportunity in Denmark.

One aspect is the technical side, developing and optimising the experience, and the other is the business and commercial potential. Since we are an audio company, what should we have in mind? How do we become effective in our market approach? How do we test in the market with the right target audience in mind?

It’s all part of the programme. Through the program it has helped us find our values, understand our customers better, and target the right market,

Navajith Karkera enthusiastically emphasises.

In June, the intense, three-day camp focused on how the selected 7 startups could optimise their marketing and business practices.

Similar to the other startups, Rapture obtained more skills and competencies during their stay – all useful tools and ideas to incorporate into their future marketing and business model.

Photo: Participants visiting Bang & Olufsen

First time in Europe

In addition to focusing on their businesses, all participants had the opportunity to experience a bit of Denmark, in particular Struer – the City of Sound. The camp included this time a Puch Maxi ride around Venø – a small island in the vicinity of Sound Hub. The ride allowed for time to visit the island’s oyster farm, Venø Seafood, and Denmark’s smallest church. A joyful ride for everyone, maybe even more for Navajith and Jagath as it was their first trip to Europe, where the long, bright summer evenings and nature left a strong impression.

Photo: Navajith Karkera at his Sound Hub workspace

The startups will return again this week

At Sound Hub Denmark, the team is delighted with the great interest the SoundTech Accelerator Programme has received. It’s the seventh cohort selected since 2019. Navajith and Jagath were made aware of the program by a previous participant recommending them to apply for the sound-focused and tailor-made program.

This week, the participants return to Struer to embark on the program’s last camp. The theme is sustainable business and focuses on how to build a versatile team using a personalised leadership style.

Ending with a pitch event

The camp also includes investor pitch training. The camp ends with a pitch event where the 7 participants from 6 different countries take the stage, hoping to bring home their first investor and maybe even their next business partner. This final event will also include exciting interviews, engaging debates, great food, and plenty of time to network with the country’s leading players in audio technology and business development.

The SOUND Pitch & Buzz event will take place on September 7th and is exclusively for investors.

About the SoundTech Accelerator Program

The SoundTech Accelerator Program is an intensive program for startups, entrepreneurs, product developers and others working in the sound field. The program runs over 5 months and consists of 3 individual camps, spanning 3 days each. During these camps, participants receive feedback and knowledge on value proposition optimisation, targeting, marketing, partnerships, investment plans, management styles, and pitch training.

Even before the SoundTech Accelerator’s official launch, the program had received international interest with applications from 47 international sound-focused start-ups from 22 countries.

THE SOUNDTECH ACCELERATOR PROGRAM 2023 IS DEVELOPED AND RUN BY SOUND HUB DENMARK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DANISH CREATIVE INDUSTRIES, AND LEADING GLOBAL KEY PLAYERS WITHIN THE INTERNATIONAL SOUND INDUSTRY.

47 international sound startups from 22 different countries have applied for the SoundTech Accelerator Program initiated by Sound Hub Denmark – the international powerhouse for sound innovation in Denmark.
The interest has been overwhelming.

The applicants come from 22 different countries, mainly Europe, but also the US, Canada, Peru, India, Hong Kong, and Japan. The interest has been immense, as more than 400 startups have acquired material about the program during the last two-and-a-half month’s application period.

The diversity of sound solutions and application areas has also been impressive.

• From revolutionary speaker driver technology to sound assistance for individuals with autism,
• From low-energy voice IP core to sound identification of drones, and
• From electronic music synthesizers to modular earmolds for children
• and many more.

The SoundTech Accelerator Program is the only of its kind dedicated to sound technology and innovation.

The 5-month program is run by soundtech professionals and aims to help soundtech startups to reduce risk, save time and prepare to scale.

Through physical camps in Struer, Denmark, access to world-class sound & audio facilities, and an impressive network combined with deep dives lectures and 1:1 online dialogue, it provides tools and tailored guidance to assist startups to exploit their potential faster, through a focus on their individual challenges.

This unique program offers a balanced focus between product and business – a combination that is not seen in generic accelerator programs.

The interest has overwhelmed the CEO of Sound Hub Denmark, Peter Petersen, who explains:

We know that we have a unique program but are excited by the huge business interest to join, by the geographic spread and by the many diverse innovative applications of sound, which will benefit society and our quality of living.

The selection process is still ongoing. Of the 47 applying startups, 18 have been preselected for interviews and 10 of those will participate in the final selection in mid-April.

About the SoundTech Accelerator Program
The SoundTech Accelerator Program is offered in partnership with Danish Creative Industries (DCI), Accelerace, and realized with support from Bang & Olufsen, The Faerch Foundation, Vald. Birn Holding and the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO). Learn more here.

Danish sound technology is truly world-class, and as the sound industry is a major buyer of electronic components, the EOT – Electronics of Tomorrow trade fair is this year expanding with an event area dedicated to sound. The Wave is the name of the area that can be experienced when EOT takes place on 9-11 May 2023 at MCH Messecenter Herning, Denmark.

Sound and electronics are two closely related elements in the modern world, and we surround ourselves with both everywhere. For the same reason, it is obvious that EOT – Electronics of Tomorrow this year dedicates a large event area to sound – an area showcasing both exhibitions, innovative entrepreneurship, examples of sound technology, and a conference featuring specific cases and exciting researchers.

The area has been created in collaboration with Sound Hub Denmark and Danish Sound Cluster, and which, with its ambitious format, is generating great enthusiasm at MCH A/S.

We have observed a great demand for having the sound industry represented at EOT, and we are pleased that with such strong partners, we can ensure a high level of professionalism and innovation in this field. Denmark is at the forefront of sound technology, and it is therefore only natural that the industry is represented at EOT, which focuses on the technology of the future,

says Christina Rosenlund, Project Manager at MCH A/S.

The new event area will be buzzing with sound, acoustics, technology, and innovation, and it has been given the name The Wave, which refers to both sound waves and new trends. All senses will be stimulated in the area, and both established players in the industry and aspiring entrepreneurs on the rise will be present.

Danish Sound Cluster is a membership-based association that bridges the gap between companies, entrepreneurs, and knowledge institutions with the main purpose of supporting the innovation strength of the Danish sound industry and helping to create more growth in the industry. That is why Danish Sound Cluster is very happy to be a partner at EOT’s new event area.

The Wave highlights the Danish sound industry, which with 50,000 employees deserves a completely different level of attention than it is currently receiving. The industry accounts for four percent of Danish exports and has an annual turnover of DKK 70 billion, while at the same time crying out for qualified manpower,

says Torben Vilsgaard, CEO of Danish Sound Cluster, and he continues:

This is why it is very important to create visibility and awareness of the industry and its many attractive jobs. And one of the purposes of The Wave is thus, as far as we are concerned, to clarify what the Danish sound industry is actually capable of. There is a high level of innovation – for instance, the technology used in Danish hearing aids is significantly more advanced than the technology used in many of the tech giants’ products.

Sound Hub Denmark: Sound to excite and unfold at EOT

Sound Hub Denmark, the world’s first international sound technology and innovation environment for companies and entrepreneurs, has also a clear agenda for the purpose of The Wave exposure.

We aim to make sound relevant in industries other than the usual ones by inspiring the industries that need sound in their products – and those that don’t yet realise that they have a need. In addition, we aim to spread awareness of how strong Denmark is in the field of sound,

states Peter Petersen, CEO of Sound Hub Denmark, and continues:

Our overall goal is to attract talent and knowledge jobs to Denmark, and we see EOT as a good opportunity to unfold sound and stimulate an even greater utilisation of the country’s position of strength in sound. This can be done through more cross-sector partnerships, the use of world-class facilities, and ultimately a physical presence here in Denmark. Innovation, talent development, and entrepreneurship, as well as learning communities, are at the forefront of our minds.

It is the ambition that with The Wave, EOT will be the permanent meeting place for the sound industry in the future. A place where people can meet, find inspiration, acquire knowledge, see what’s new on the market, and meet the rest of the electronics industry.

About EOT – Electronic of Tomorrow
EOT – Electronics of Tomorrow will take place on 9-11 May 2023 at MCH Messecenter, Herning, Denmark. Check the program and register for FREE with the Sound Hub Denmark code on EOT-expo.com. Come and meet us  – code: SHD-EOT23 gives you FREE access all 3 days.

Sound Hub Denmark establishes partnership with Danish Creative Industries (DCI) to generate better scaling possibilities for sound technology startups.

Denmark should be the world’s best place to develop and operate businesses using sound technology.
This is the ambition behind a new partnership between Sound Hub Denmark and Danish Creative Industries, which is now establishing an ambitious and innovative accelerator program for international sound technology startups named: SoundTech Accelerator.

Denmark is already a world leader in sound, and we can become even better according to the partners behind the accelerator program.
Sound Hub Denmark’s CEO Peter Petersen states the following about the ambition for the accelerator:

The Danish sound industry, which already employs 52,000 people and accounts for more than 4 percent of Danish exports, must be lifted even higher to remain the world’s best country for sound innovation.

Technological development has led to growth and a greater dispersion of the use of sound technology across industries, e.g., within the health sector. The two partners believe that more creative and innovative solutions are needed to make full use of the business potential.

The SoundTech Accelerator Program aims at international and creative startups, where sound is a part of the solution or challenge and who want to fully exploit their business potential. The program provides tools and tailored guidance to meet the individual startup’s challenges and equips them to utilize their potential faster. The program has a balanced focus on assistance with both product and business maturity.

Founder of Danish Creative Industries, Kristian Riis states about the program;

The importance of creating strong companies focusing on sound is huge for all people. As a musician and entrepreneur, I see not only the SoundTech Accelerator as the key to more successful businesses but also in terms of better lives with a higher quality of life.

The partnership brings together a wide range of experience in attracting, helping, and building viable startups. With a shared attitude of being stronger together, both parties want to share their knowledge with startups so they can grow and develop their full potential and strength, and hereby equip these companies of the future in the best possible way.

Sound Hub Denmark supports sound companies through a wide range of attractive offers, which include access to a sound-specific co-working environment, tailored help and advice, a network of world-renowned sound companies and experts, advanced workshops and test facilities, etc.

Danish Creative Industries is a platform that brings together creative Danish industries and investors. DCI works to promote knowledge, networking, and access to capital for creative businesses that want to take their business to the next level.

The SoundTech Accelerator Program is realized with support from Bang & Olufsen, Accelerace, The Faerch Foundation, and Vald. Birn Holding. Additional sponsors and partners will be announced on an ongoing basis.

About Danish Creative Industries
DCI is a platform that unites creative Danish industries. They work to promote knowledge, networks, and access to capital for creative companies. Since DCI’s public launch in November 2021, with the event series DCI GO!, DCI has visited several Danish cities with a focus on bringing creatives, investors, and industry organizations together. DCI works to fulfill the potential by supporting ecosystems where creative companies have easy access to advice, knowledge, networks, advocacy, and funding, while the public organisations, investors, and industry associations have access to the greatest talents. The creative industries can learn from each other and develop by being inspired by those who do it the best.

FORCE Technology and Sound Hub Denmark have established a partnership on product sound quality tests to support sound innovation in Denmark

FORCE Technology’s SenseLab is one of the world’s leading independent labs for perceptual sound quality testing. Sound Hub Denmark is a world-class sound and acoustics growth hub for startups, SMEs, and corporations.

Joining forces, FORCE Technology and Sound Hub Denmark can offer a unique combination of testing and innovation within the subjective and objective evaluation of product sound quality. The aim of the cooperation is to support and strengthen the competitiveness of Danish sound technology businesses with the newest research and innovation, state-of-the-art testing facilities, highly specialised skills, and access to physical and virtual sound labs.

As one of Denmark’s largest government-approved research and technology organisations, we exist for others, and it is our duty to take the lead in helping Danish companies become technological and sustainable frontrunners. We are very pleased with this new partnership because we get to support, develop, and strengthen especially the SMEs within the Danish audio industry,

says Søren Vase Legarth, Head of SenseLab at FORCE Technology.

The partnership will provide startups, SMEs, corporates, and students access to the following at Sound Hub Denmark:

• The software platform SenseLabOnline for audio/visual testing and demonstration of new technologies and sound solutions
• Effective blinded test of loudspeakers through the use of speaker spinners
• Trained expert listening panel that can offer independent sound quality evaluation services
• Co-working at Sound Hub’s international office & coworking spaces
• Access to Sound Hub’s world class makerspace & test facilities equipment and
• Our collaborative learning environment tailored for sound businesses

We are excited about this partnership and look forward to offering these highly recognised subjective and objective tests from FORCE Technology to our network,

says Peter Petersen, CEO at Sound Hub Denmark.

About FORCE Technology
FORCE Technology is a technology consultancy and service company which strives to create positive technological change and make the world more sustainable and safer. As one of the large GTS institutes in Denmark, they are at the same time an important part of the backbone of the Danish innovation system. At their world-leading independent lab for sound quality testing, SenseLab, they view perceptual evaluation as a vital part of product development and benchmarking. Their team of reputable sound experts help clients develop products optimised for the expectations and needs of end-users when it comes to audio, visual and user experience evaluation. Most global hi-tech products with a sound aspect within industries like broadcast and codec, loudspeakers and headphones, hearing aids and automotive have passed through the ears and hands of their experts over the past 20 years. Clients include Jabra, ETSI/3GPP, Phonak, Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), GN ReSound, Google, Widex, Siemens and the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR).

SonicEdge – an Israeli start-up working in high-quality MEMS silicon speakers – has just established a Danish business unit at Sound Hub Denmark in Struer.   

The market for silicon speakers – so-called Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) speakers – shows excellent potential and exponential growth. The technology is specifically suited for hearing aids, headsets, true wireless earphones (TWS) and the so-called hearables. 

So far, we have only seen very few providers of this innovative and disruptive technology, introducing significantly smaller, more energy-efficient and robust speaker solutions without compromising on sound quality.  

Such a game changing speaker is being developed by SonicEdge using modulated ultrasound to generate high quality sound from the world’s smallest speaker – a company with now also a Danish business unit registered.  

Moving closer to customers and suppliers

Establishing a Danish business unit serves many different purposes: Securing access to some of the audio specialists Denmark has fostered; and benefitting from the support of the unique ecosystem that Sound Hub provides in business development and technology.   

We already have Danish investors and key competencies associated. Opening a business unit at Sound Hub Denmark is a natural next step to expand and get closer to our customers and partners in Denmark. To establish a business unit in this unique development cluster and get access to the resources, competencies and matchmaking possibilities which Sound Hub Denmark provides is unique and perfect for us,  

according to Director of SonicEdge Joel Beilin, who has been working with Oticon and Siemens.

Denmark is an active choice

The establishment of a business unit in Denmark and within the EU and the ability to be part of a dedicated sound environment in Sound Hub Denmark is an active choice, states the founders Ari Mizrachi and Moti Margalit from Israel:  

There are so many good reasons for doing business in Denmark. We find wonderful people with an amazingly open culture for collaboration and knowledge sharing. A labour market with a highly developed technological infrastructure makes it attractive to do business here. We can find investors who genuinely understand our business, audio companies, which potentially can become future customers, and universities with audio technology as their primary focus. This means we can access the newest know-how and potentially highly qualified employees.   

The world’s smallest loudspeaker
– groundbreaking technology

SonicEdge is currently developing their state-of-the art Speaker-In-Chip solutions as the world’s smallest loudspeaker. A paradigm shift for the way we make sound, based on an exceptional and patented sound technology. Its ultra-compact and unique sound quality positions it as the next generation in micro-speakers for headphones, in-ears and other portable audio products.   

Since our first dialogue with SonicEdge more than two years ago, we can see a remarkable increase in market interest for small and more energy efficient technologies. This trend makes SonicEdge a perfect match for the Sound Hub community. We see a mutual benefit of having SonicEdge represented at our premises,  

CEO of Sound Hub Denmark Peter Petersen explains.

Looking for employees

SonicEdge has several patents which protect the technology, providing them with a unique performance among providers of micro-speakers. They differentiate on mainly on footprint, robustness, and power consumption. The company has activities in Israel and is currently looking for employees to build up the Danish R&D department.   

About SonicEdge
SonicEdge has developed a groundbreaking Speaker-In-Chip solution specifically designed to deliver a unique audio experience. This breakthrough exploits a patented sound design based on ultrasound technology, MEMS-chip design and implementation combined with a new approach to generating sound. Its ultra-compact sizes and amazing sound quality positions this solution as next generation speakers for earphones and other audio applications. The company grows with exponential speed. We have a team of highly qualified employees, great market feedback and POC from various large players in the market and numerous patents and investments from leading industrialists. With us, the future sounds fantastic.  

Sound Hub Denmark spiller en central rolle i den første bog på dansk om bæredygtige corporate-startup miljøer. Bogen sætter fokus på, hvordan etablerede virksomheder kan blive en del af fremtidens vækst ved at samarbejde med nytænkende iværksættere og andre samarbejdspartnere

Hvad kan startups, som vi ikke kan? Det spørgsmål stilles i titlen på en ny bog, som skal inspirere etablerede virksomheder til at skabe vækst gennem partnerskaber med bæredygtige startups.  

Innovative miljøer og partnerskaber omkring virksomheder er den nye superkraft, som kan accelerere den bæredygtige vækst – hvis de designes rigtigt. Sound Hub Denmark er en frontløber i forhold til, hvordan man kan lykkes med det.

Sådan siger Freja Ludvigsen, der er forfatter til bogen, ”Hvad kan startups, som vi ikke kan? En guide til bæredygtig vækst i partnerskaber”. Hun var fra 2015-2021 erhvervsudviklingschef i en af landets største erhvervskommuner, Gladsaxe Kommune, hvor hun havde ansvar for netop at skabe partnerskaber mellem store virksomheder som Alfa Laval, Novo Nordisk, Novozymes, ISS, Forenede Service m.fl. og mindre virksomheder samt startups. Her satte hun corporate-startup miljøer på dagsordenen. Men hun opdagede, at beslutningen om at åbne dørene for startups kan være svær for etablerede virksomheder.  

Hvis den stabile virksomheds markedskendskab og ledelseskraft kombineres med den nystartede virksomheds agilitet og kreativitet kan der skabes en situation, hvor idé- og vidensdeling bidrager positivt til begge parters vækst. Bogen skal ses som en guide til beslutningstagere i etablerede virksomheder, der gerne vil øge deres innovationskraft gennem samarbejde med bæredygtige startups, men som er i tvivl om, hvordan de gør i praksis, og hvordan de styrer uden om dilemmaer og risici,

fortæller Freja Ludvigsen, der i dag driver virksomheden Partnerskaberen, hvor hun hjælper virksomheder, kommuner og organisationer med bæredygtig vækst, innovation og partnerskaber.

Stærk lokal case med international tiltrækningskraft

Sound Hub Denmark er med i bogen som case på, hvordan man skaber miljøer, hvor etablerede virksomheder og iværksættere kan teste og udvikle nye produkter sammen. Her fortæller Peter Petersen, CEO, og Rie Kold Pripsø, CCO, om hvad det har krævet at opbygge et verdensklasseudviklingsmiljø og lærende fællesskab for lyd og akustik i Bang & Olufsens historiske bygninger fra 1946.   

Miljøet adskiller sig fra nogle af de andre miljøer i bogen, der er skabt i direkte tilknytning til en specifik virksomhed. Det er miljøer som NIRAS Green Tech Hub i Allerød og Alfa Laval Innovation House i Gladsaxe.  

Sound Hub Denmark er en fantastisk case på, hvordan et stærkt partnerskab på tværs af virksomheder, universitet, kommune, fonde og erhvervsfremme kan skabe et corporate-startup miljø sammen, som danner et internationalt orienteret økosystem, der både gavner de etablerede virksomheder, tiltrækker nye virksomheder og bidrager til lokalsamfundets vækst,

siger Freja Ludvigsen.

Skaber det rette match

Freja Ludvigsen interviewer i bogen Peter Petersen og Rie Kold Pripsø og spørger til miljøet i Sound Hub Denmark. 

Vi er formidlere, som sørger for, at der opstår det rette match mellem eksempelvis en virksomhed og startup, eller freelancer (konsulent) og startup, som gør, at det bliver succesfuldt for begge parter. Startup-virksomhedernes mindset er at beskæftige sig med det, der gavner dem mest muligt her og nu.  De har hverken tid eller finansiering til at være tre måneder i en venteposition i forhold til en test eller afklaringsproces med en virksomhed,

fortæller Peter Petersen. 

Hvis man vil skabe partnerskaber, der har fordele for begge parter, bør de mødes på den samme spilleplade. Vores rolle er at overkomme kulturforskellene og være mægler mellem de to parter, så de forstår hinanden,

uddyber Rie Kold Pripsø.

De stedbundne kvaliteter

Hvad er deres råd til andre, der gerne vil lave et miljø med mange partnerskaber og mange bundlinjer? 

Vi hører flere sige, at vores styrke er den stedbundne kompetence og kvalitet. Vi har noget at have det i.
Det betyder noget i forhold til partnerskaberne og det engagement, der lægges for dagen. Ikke dermed sagt, man ikke kan bygge noget op fra bar mark, men vi har en fordel i områdets historie og DNA med en erhvervsudvikling funderet i design og god lyd i kombination,

fortæller Rie. 

Hvad får de store virksomheder ud af at være en del af miljøet? 

Det betyder noget for de større virksomheder, at de har adgang til den nyeste viden, innovationshøjde og spændende startups via den talentmasse, vi tiltrækker. De har ikke selv ansvaret for udviklingsmiljøet i Sound Hub, men bidrager aktivt med mentorskab, sparring, ekspertise og indlæg til gavn for iværksætterne og andre, som gæster os. De kan lettere stemple ind og ud, da de ikke har deres eget navn på spil. De får samtidig en mulighed for en dialog med startups, hvor de kan afsøge, om der er et match.

Hvad er jeres største styrke?  

Alle vore relationer bygger i høj grad på tillid. I udlandet starter du som oftest på nulpunktet og arbejder på at opbygge en tillidsrelation. I Danmark har vi som udgangspunkt 100% tillid, som man kan være uheldig at miste. Denne danske tilgang imponerer vores samarbejdsrelationer. Når startups konsulterer os, har vi grundlæggende tillid til dem, og tilbyder hjælp uden bagtanker om kapitalandele, opkøb eller andet. Det er en god kapitalform, og vores erfaring viser, at det giver et godt afkast i form af vækst, frugtbare samarbejder og innovative løsninger til samfundet,

slutter Rie. 

Om bogen
Freja Ludvigsen: ”Hvad kan startups, som vi ikke kan? En guide til bæredygtig vækst i partnerskab”
Forlaget Rethink Business
244 sider. Kan købes på Saxo, Gucca og Bog&Idé
Gratis læseprøve findes på Partnerskaberen.dk
 

Being a part of Sound Hub is so much more than network and knowledge sharing – It is putting innovation on the top of the agenda.

One of the leading players in the wireless tech industry, RTX A/S today announces their membership and engagement in Sound Hub Denmark.

With more than 25 years of experience and know-how within the wireless industry RTX is one of the heavy players. This brings a lot of knowledge, which can benefit newcomers in the industry as well as ensure a constant lookout for where the industry is moving towards.

We have the ambition to create ground-breaking technologies while also creating value for our customers and end-users.

That’s why we are pleased to be a member of Sound Hub Denmark, as it on one side gives a lot of opportunities for direct and deeper insight into new application fields of sound, and on the other side a chance to share our knowledge to motivate start-ups in this hub – all to let the innovation thrive,

underlines Jens Christian Lindof, Vice President & CTO at RTX.

RTX has a market-leading position in wireless solutions. They design, develop, and manufacture wireless communication solutions within multiple industries. Professional audio solutions are one of their key areas, with research focus on continued improved performance like unsurpassed link stability and sound quality, while still maintaining low latency. A competence relevant for wireless microphones and headsets used for e.g. live events, studios, concerts and conferences, as well as gaming accessories such as keyboards, headsets, and mice.

As a member of Sound Hub, you get access to test facilities, advanced equipment, seminars as well as a ticket into this network of equally audio enthusiastic people – something that’s hard to find but gives so much value for both newbies and the experienced players,

continues Jens Christian Lindof.

With an innovative mindset RTX makes an effort to understand how the specific use cases can be optimized through wireless technology to make a difference and in the end help the user perform at their best.

Our experience shows that to really stimulate and nurture innovation; matchmaking with tech partners is often sought-after.

We are therefore pleased to also welcome RTX to our community and ecosystem. Understanding the importance of collaboration to speed up development should not be underestimated,

concludes Peter Petersen, CEO at Sound Hub Denmark.

About RTX 

RTX A/S is driven by digitalization and the demand for mobility and secure transmission. RTX has successfully finalized more than 1,000 wireless projects, ODM or OEM solutions in collaboration with global technology brands – from initial design, development, testing, and production. RTX operates through three main application areas: Enterprise solutions such as wireless systems including handsets, headsets, and base stations. Professional audio, including wireless microphones and other solutions for concerts and conferences, as well as gaming accessories such as keyboards, headsets, and mice as well as healthcare solutions where wireless systems are used for monitoring critically ill patients, among others. RTX makes an effort to understand how specific scenarios can be optimized through wireless technology to help the user perform at their best.

Photo: Noatronic solution demonstrating their wireless guitar system based on RTX technology