USound
USound is an Austrian fabless semiconductor company that designs piezoelectric MEMS microspeakers, ASIC amplifiers, and biosensing software for OEMs in consumer hearables, hearing aids, AR/VR, and medical devices.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersGraz, Austria
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What USound does
USound GmbH is an Austrian fabless semiconductor company headquartered in Graz that designs and licenses piezoelectric MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) loudspeaker technology for compact audio devices. The company's core technology replaces conventional voice coil and magnet speaker architectures with silicon-based transducers using multiple piezoelectric cantilevers that drive a piston, enabling microspeakers as thin as 1.5mm with IPX8 waterproofing, SMT compatibility, and Hi-Res audio up to 40 kHz. USound's product portfolio includes the Conamara and Ganymede MEMS speaker series, the Tarvos ASIC linear amplifier, hybrid audio modules such as the Greip, and a suite of reference designs for AR/VR glasses, sound strips, 3D headphones, and Hi-Fi systems. The company operates a B2B component-and-licensing model, selling directly to OEMs and consumer electronics brands across consumer hearables, OTC hearing aids, AR/VR smart eyewear, medical devices (notably MRI-compatible headphones), and ultrasonic sensing applications, while also offering software licensing for its AuriSense biosensing platform and Active Linearization Algorithm (ALA). USound has raised over €90 million in venture capital, including a €25 million round in December 2021 led by eQventure with European Investment Bank participation, and holds more than 500 patents protecting its MEMS loudspeaker and ultrasound sensing intellectual property. The company shut down its Fauna Audio GmbH B2C smart glasses subsidiary at the end of 2024 to refocus on its B2B core business, and in 2025-2026 has been actively announcing strategic partnerships (WuQi Technologies, ZenoWell, Earweiss, Gettop) targeting biosensing wearables, neurotechnology, and expanded distribution channels.
USound firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- USound
- Legal name
- USound GmbH
- Website
- https://usound.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- USound is an Austrian fabless semiconductor company that designs piezoelectric MEMS microspeakers, ASIC amplifiers, and biosensing software for OEMs in consumer hearables, hearing aids, AR/VR, and medical devices.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
USound industry classification
Industry- Product category
- MEMS Audio Components
- NAICS
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (334310), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)
- SIC
- Household Audio & Video Equipment (3651)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Microphones & Acoustic MEMS (MEMS Mics/Ultrasonic Transducers) (HDAHALAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Audio & Voice Mixed-Signal ICs (Codecs/Amplifiers) (HDAHAIAG), Speech Enhancement & Noise Suppression (AEC/NR) (HDAAAFAG), Microphones, Headsets & Audio Input Devices (HDACAFAH)
Keywords
Where USound is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Graz
- HQ country
- Austria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
USound business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- MEMS Speaker Components: Sale of MEMS speaker components (Conamara and Ganymede series) to OEM customers for integration into consumer electronics, hearables, and medical devices.
- Audio Amplifier ICs: Sale of Tarvos ASIC linear audio amplifiers designed to drive USound MEMS speakers and piezo transducers.
- Audio Modules and Reference Designs: Sale of integrated audio modules (Greip hybrid module) and reference design kits (Danube for AR/VR glasses, Dione sound strips, Proteus Hi-Fi system, Taygete 3D headphones).
- Software Licensing: Licensing of proprietary algorithms including AuriSense biosensing platform and Active Linearization Algorithm (ALA) for integration into customer products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B enterprise component and licensing sales |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
USound product offering
Product offeringCore offering
USound designs and supplies piezoelectric MEMS microspeakers (Conamara and Ganymede series), companion audio amplifier ASICs (Tarvos, Amalthea), hybrid audio modules (Greip), reference designs (Danube, Dione, Megaclite, Taygete, Proteus), and evaluation/development boards for OEM integration into hearables, hearing aids, AR/VR glasses, and MRI-compatible devices. The company also licenses proprietary software including the AuriSense biosensing platform using Audio Plethysmography and the Active Linearization Algorithm for real-time THD reduction.
Product overview
USound offers a comprehensive portfolio of piezoelectric MEMS speaker products and enabling technologies. The core product lines include the Conamara Series (ultra-slim round microspeakers for TWS/IEM/hearing aids) and Ganymede Series (thin-form-factor speakers for wearables/MRI applications). These are supported by the Tarvos amplifier IC family for driving capacitive loads, the Greip hybrid audio module combining MEMS and electrodynamic drivers, and the AuriSense biosensing platform enabling health monitoring through existing audio hardware. Development and evaluation is supported through the Helike development board (Raspberry Pi compatible), Tarvos evaluation board, and Amalthea array amplifier. Reference designs including Danube (audio glasses), Dione (sound strips), Megaclite (earphones), Taygete (3D headphones), and Proteus (Hi-Fi systems) demonstrate integration approaches across applications from consumer audio to medical devices.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Fauna: A subsidiary brand of USound that developed audio glasses integrating USound's MEMS tweeter technology to deliver high-fidelity sound in a compact, stylish form factor. The brand has been shut down and merged back into the parent company as of end of 2024.
Products and services
- Conamara Series MEMS Speakers
Quantifiable outcome
- MEMS speaker market projected to grow from USD 8.47 billion (2025) to USD 12.33 billion (2032) at 5.50% CAGR
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use USound
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
USound technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature4 records
USound partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- WuQi TechnologiescoreStrategic collaboration to deploy USound's proprietary biosensing platform in next-generation wearable devices including TWS earbuds, OTC hearing aids, and sleep earbuds. Combines USound's MEMS audio and sensing technology with WuQi's low-power processing, wireless connectivity, and edge AI capabilities for real-time biometric monitoring (heart rate, respiratory monitoring) through existing audio hardware.
- EarweisscoreStrategic partnership to integrate USound's semiconductor-grade MEMS speaker technology into Earweiss upcoming hearable audio products. USound technology enables slimmer, lighter, more power-efficient devices with superior acoustic performance compared to conventional audio transducers.
- ZenoWellcoreStrategic cooperation to explore integration of USound's advanced ultrasound-based physiological sensing technologies into next-generation wearable health devices. Aims to combine USound's ear-based biometric sensing with ZenoWell's ear-based vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) platform for continuous monitoring of sleep, pain, anxiety, and mental health applications.
- iSEEminorUSound MEMS audio technology powers iSEE smart glasses designed for visually impaired users, providing spatial audio for accessibility applications.
- GettopminorStrategic sales and supply agreement for distribution and supply chain support of USound products.
- OBO Pro.2coreCo-development partnership for the Greip hybrid audio module, combining USound's MEMS Conamara tweeter with OBO Pro.2's electrodynamic woofer featuring Silicon Rubber Technology.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
USound competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- xMEMS Labs: xMEMS Labs is the most direct competitor to USound, also developing MEMS microspeaker technology for in-ear audio applications. Both companies target TWS earbuds, IEMs, and hearing aids with solid-state MEMS speakers, competing for the same OEM design wins in hearables and audiophile markets.
Broad incumbents
- Knowles Corporation: Knowles is a leading supplier of MEMS microphones and audio components to the hearing aid and consumer electronics industries. As a publicly traded incumbent with established OEM relationships, Knowles is comparable to USound in serving similar hearing aid and hearable customers with complementary acoustic MEMS technology.
- Infineon Technologies: Infineon is a major semiconductor manufacturer with a leading position in MEMS microphones and audio processing ICs for consumer electronics and hearing aids. Comparable to USound as a semiconductor supplier serving overlapping end customers (TWS, hearing aids, AR/VR) with related audio hardware components.
- STMicroelectronics: STMicroelectronics manufactures MEMS sensors including microphones and offers audio processing solutions for consumer and industrial applications. Comparable to USound as a broad semiconductor incumbent with MEMS expertise serving overlapping end markets in hearables and IoT audio devices.
- Cirrus Logic: Cirrus Logic is a leading fabless semiconductor supplier of low-power, high-performance mixed-signal ICs for audio and voice applications, including amplifiers and codecs used in hearables and headphones. Comparable to USound as a B2B audio semiconductor supplier targeting similar OEM customers with complementary component-level products.
- Sonos: Sonos is a major consumer audio brand producing wireless speakers and home sound systems. While Sonos is end-product focused rather than component-level like USound, it represents a comparable audio technology company with overlapping interest in miniaturization and audio quality for connected devices.
- Bose Corporation: Bose is a global audio equipment company producing headphones, speakers, and hearing aids (through Bose Hearing). Comparable to USound as a premium audio brand with overlapping interest in hearables and active noise cancellation technologies, though vertically integrated into end products rather than supplying components.
- Sennheiser (Sonova consumer division): Sennheiser's consumer division produces premium headphones and TWS earbuds with proprietary transducer technology. Comparable to USound in the broader audio/headphone ecosystem, serving audiophile and consumer markets where USound's OEM customers (Kiwi Ears, QCY) compete.
- Qualcomm Technologies: Qualcomm supplies audio SoCs and Bluetooth chipsets that power most TWS earbuds and headphones, including platforms with integrated active noise cancellation. Comparable to USound as a critical technology supplier to the hearable ecosystem where USound's MEMS speakers are deployed.
Emerging players
- Eargo: Eargo is a hearing aid company focused on direct-to-consumer OTC devices with miniaturized form factors. Comparable to USound as an emerging player in the OTC hearing aid market where USound's Ganymede and Conamara speakers target hearing aid OEMs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks2 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
USound social profiles
Digital presenceUSound compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
USound financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
USound leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
USound subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
USound funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds8 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
USound M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about USound
What does USound do?
USound designs and supplies piezoelectric MEMS microspeakers (Conamara and Ganymede series), companion audio amplifier ASICs (Tarvos, Amalthea), hybrid audio modules (Greip), reference designs (Danube, Dione, Megaclite, Taygete, Proteus), and evaluation/development boards for OEM integration into hearables, hearing aids, AR/VR glasses, and MRI-compatible devices. The company also licenses proprietary software including the AuriSense biosensing platform using Audio Plethysmography and the Active Linearization Algorithm for real-time THD reduction.
Is USound a public or private company?
USound is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was USound founded?
USound was founded in 2012. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is USound based?
USound is headquartered in Graz, Austria, in the Europe region.
How does USound make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. MEMS Speaker Components are the primary driver. The others are audio Amplifier ICs, audio Modules and Reference Designs and software Licensing.
Who are USound's main competitors?
xMEMS Labs is listed as a direct peer. Broad incumbents are Knowles Corporation, Infineon Technologies, STMicroelectronics, Cirrus Logic, Sonos, Bose Corporation, Sennheiser (Sonova consumer division) and Qualcomm Technologies. Eargo is listed as an emerging player.
Does USound have an API?
No public API is recorded for USound.
What industry is USound in?
USound's product category is MEMS Audio Components. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHALAH, Microphones & Acoustic MEMS (MEMS Mics/Ultrasonic Transducers), with a secondary code of HDAHAIAG, Audio & Voice Mixed-Signal ICs (Codecs/Amplifiers). Its NAICS code is 334310 and its SIC code is 3651.