Flexound Systems
Flexound Systems is a Finland-based B2B technology licensor that patents Surface Nearfield Speaker modules combining full-range audio with tactile sound-wave vibration, embedding them into cinema seats, automotive seating, aviation seats, furniture, and consumer cushions via OEM partners such as Ferco Seating, KOTOBUKI, and CJ 4DPLEX.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersEspoo, Finland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Flexound Systems does
Flexound Systems Oy is a Finland-based private company founded in 2015 (firmographics also list 2013) that has developed and patented Surface Nearfield Speaker technology, a hardware module that combines full-range audio (20 Hz to 20,000 Hz) with physical sound-wave vibration transmitted through foam and soft materials, enabling users to both hear and feel sound via skin and body contact. The company operates an ingredient-branding B2B licensing model, embedding its technology into host products such as cinema seats, automotive seating, aviation seats, furniture, gaming chairs, and consumer cushions, while offering co-development services and embedded proprietary software to OEM partners. Certified seat models are manufactured through OEM partners including Ferco Seating (UK/global) and KOTOBUKI Seating International (Japan), giving Flexound access to global cinema and seating supply chains without bearing manufacturing capex.
The product portfolio centers on the core FLEXOUND Augmented Audio technology, FLEXOUND Pulse (the first fully loudspeaker-free cinema sound system launched in June 2021), and consumer pilots HUMU and Taikofon. Named deployments span at least 10 cinema operators on two continents (Finland, France, South Korea, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Japan) including CJ CGV, United Cinemas, Cineum Cannes, TGV Cinemas, and Empire Cinemas, with United Cinemas' UC Yokohama (April 2024) representing the largest single deployment at over 1,000 seats. The automotive vertical is in development, anchored by a 2020 Hyundai Motor Group Open Innovation selection from a 300-startup shortlist and led by a dedicated Head of Mobility, though no production vehicle program is publicly disclosed.
The company is led by CEO Isak Olevic (appointed January 2022, ex-Volvo Cars, Volvo Group, Harman, Ericsson), replacing co-founder Mervi Heinaro. Backed by NordicNinja VC since June 2019 (with Honda, Omron, Panasonic, and JBIC as LPs), Flexound claims over 100 IP filings and 35 granted international patents, with the founder Jukka Linjama (PhD in acoustics) and COO Tommi Immonen on the founding team. Headcount is reported at 11-50 employees across offices in Espoo, London (design), and Jeddah (cinema operations support), and revenue is not publicly disclosed.
Flexound Systems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Flexound Systems
- Legal name
- Flexound Systems Oy
- Website
- https://flexound.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Flexound Systems is a Finland-based B2B technology licensor that patents Surface Nearfield Speaker modules combining full-range audio with tactile sound-wave vibration, embedding them into cinema seats, automotive seating, aviation seats, furniture, and consumer cushions via OEM partners such as Ferco Seating, KOTOBUKI, and CJ 4DPLEX.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Flexound Systems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Augmented Audio Technology
- NAICS
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (334310)
- SIC
- Household Audio & Video Equipment (3651), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mental Wellness & Stress Management Devices (Biofeedback, Meditation/Neurostimulation Devices) (CRACAQAL)
Keywords
Where Flexound Systems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Espoo
- HQ country
- Finland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Flexound Systems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Technology Licensing (Ingredient Branding): B2B licensing model licensing patented FLEXOUND Augmented Audio technology to host product brand owners. Partners use ingredient branding ('Boosted by FLEXOUND Augmented Audio') to add competitive differentiation to their products in automotive, cinema, aviation, furniture, and consumer device markets.
- Co-development Services: High value-adding co-development services where FLEXOUND specialists work with partners to co-create products and user experiences tailored to any brand's needs, from seat integration to automotive in-cabin systems.
- Embedded Proprietary Software: Provision of embedded proprietary software as part of the technology licensing and co-development engagement.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B Enterprise Licensing — Quote-based |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Flexound Systems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Flexound Systems develops and licenses its patented FLEXOUND Augmented Audio technology — a multi-sensory audio module that combines full-range high-quality audio (20 Hz to 20,000 Hz) with gentle physical sound wave vibration transmitted through soft foam materials, enabling users to both hear and feel sound via skin and body contact. The company primarily monetizes through technology licensing and ingredient branding to host product manufacturers (cinema seat makers, automotive OEMs, aviation, furniture and consumer device brands), supplemented by co-development services with partners and direct sales of consumer wellness products such as the HUMU cushion.
Product overview
Flexound Systems (FLEXOUND – The Augmented Audio Company™) is a Finland-based technology company that has developed a patented deep technology adding the sensation of touch to any sound content. The core offering is the FLEXOUND Augmented Audio technology module, a lightweight, compact, and energy-efficient solution that combines full-range audio (20 Hz to 20,000 Hz) with physical sound wave vibration. The technology can replace traditional loudspeakers or complement existing audio systems. The product portfolio includes: FLEXOUND Pulse (the first fully loudspeaker-free cinema sound system for seated entertainment venues); HUMU Augmented Audio Cushion (consumer pilot product for home entertainment); and Taikofon Feelsound Cushion (wellness/therapy product). The B2B business model is based on licensing the technology using ingredient branding strategy to seat manufacturers (Ferco Seating, KOTOBUKI Seating International), cinema operators, and automotive manufacturers. Target industries include automotive, aviation, cinema/entertainment, gaming, furniture, and wellness.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HUMU Augmented Audio Cushion: Proof of concept consumer product - wireless augmented audio cushion for entertainment and relaxation.
- FLEXOUND Pulse
- Taikofon Feelsound Cushion
Products and services
- FLEXOUND Augmented Audio Patented multi-sensory audio module that adds the sensation of touch to any sound content by combining high-quality full-range audio with gentle physical sound wave vibration through soft foam materials, licensed to OEMs across cinema, automotive, aviation, furniture and consumer devices.
- FLEXOUND Pulse The world's first fully loudspeaker-free cinema sound system, providing full-range audio and natural sound wave vibration from the seat alone, supporting all existing content with equal sound quality in every seat.
- HUMU Augmented Audio Cushion Wireless consumer audio cushion that lets users hear and feel favorite content without disturbing others, providing a personal immersive soundsphere with powerful bass for home entertainment and relaxation.
- Taikofon Feelsound Cushion Vibro-acoustic wellness cushion that delivers a feel-sound experience to provide pain relief and ease anxiety, marketed through the Taikofon webshop as a therapy and wellness application of FLEXOUND Augmented Audio.
- FLEXOUND Augmented Audio for Automotive B2B ingredient-branded technology solution for automotive seats that adds personal full-range audio and tactile feedback into the seat, supporting loudspeaker replacement, tactile driver safety alerts via Feelness Control, and wellness features for in-cabin experiences.
- FLEXOUND Augmented Audio for Seated Entertainment B2B ingredient-branded audio-vibration module for cinema seats, auditoriums, theatres, concert arenas and other seated venues, integrated via certified seat manufacturers such as Ferco Seating and KOTOBUKI Seating International.
- FLEXOUND Augmented Audio for Home Devices Licensed embedded FLEXOUND module for home furniture, cushions, consumer devices, toys, and wellness products, enabling brand owners to add a high-value augmented audio feature through ingredient branding.
Quantifiable outcome
- 96% of moviegoers say the FLEXOUND experience is very good or good
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Flexound Systems
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Flexound Systems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature4 records
Flexound Systems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- KOTOBUKI Seating InternationalcoreSeat manufacturer supplying FLEXOUND-certified seats for the Japan market. KOTOBUKI Seating International manufactured seats for UC Yokohama multiplex (STYLE-S Minato Mirai, 12 screens, over 1,000 seats), alongside Ferco Seating. Part of Flexound's strategy to serve the large Japanese cinema market through local seat manufacturing partnerships.
- Cineplanet SalonminorCinema multiplex in Salon-de-Provence, France with nine auditoriums equipped with leading cinema technology including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and FLEXOUND Augmented Audio. FLEXOUND installed in all seats of the Lodge auditorium — premium VIP boutique cinema concept offering luxury entertainment experience.
- United CinemasflagshipJapanese cinema chain operating 43 theaters across Japan (as of 2021). First cinema operator in the world to announce cinemas based on FLEXOUND Pulse technology and their own innovative next-generation cinema concept. UC Odaiba opened December 2022 with 10 auditoriums featuring FLEXOUND Augmented Audio. UC Yokohama opened April 2024 with over 1,000 seats across 12 screens. Flexound has been in cooperation with United Cinemas since beginning of 2019.
- Cineum CannescorePremium cinema multiplex in Cannes, France designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti. 12 auditoriums with ~2,400 seats, first cinema in France equipped 100% with immersive sound and second with 100% laser projection. Partners with best audio brands including IMAX, DTS, Dolby, and FLEXOUND Augmented Audio. Lodge auditorium features FLEXOUND in all seats. Also official screening location for Cannes Film Festival 2022.
- Empire CinemascorePremium cinema operator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. First cinema operator in the region to install augmented audio technology seats. Opened 142-seat FLEXOUND Augmented Audio theatre at Al Andalus Mall, Jeddah in December 2020 (premiering Wonder Woman 2) and Spider-Man: No Way Home premiere December 2021. Theater also equipped with Sphera premium cinema concept.
- Hyundai Motor GroupcoreHyundai Motor Group selected Flexound from 300 startups through systematic evaluation based on customer needs, technological feasibility, and technological uniqueness for their 2020 Open Innovation Lounge in Seoul, Korea. Flexound demonstrated immersive full-frequency near-field listening integrated into standard Kia seats with custom headrests. 'We are currently working with several automotive brands to bring augmented audio solutions to consumers' (FLEXOUND Head of Mobility, John Barry).
- TGV CinemascoreFast-growing entertainment company operating the second largest multiplex cinema chain in Malaysia. First Southeast Asian cinema company to incorporate FLEXOUND technology. Opened world's largest FLEXOUND Augmented Audio cinema with 140-seat auditorium at Toppen Mall, Johor Bahru in November 2019. Seats manufactured by Ferco Seating (Milano model).
- CJ 4DPLEXcoreLeading next-generation cinema technology company headquartered in Seoul with offices in Los Angeles and Beijing. Known for 4DX and ScreenX systems. CJ 4DPLEX developed the collaboration between CJ CGV and FLEXOUND for the ultimate Sound Solution in cinemas. Expanding collaboration to more CJ CGV theatres and incorporating FLEXOUND with 4DX and ScreenX systems.
- CJ CGVcoreWorld's 5th largest cinema chain with over 3,900 screens at 540 locations in 7 countries (South Korea, China, Turkey, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, United States). Opened Asia's first FLEXOUND Augmented Audio Gold Class theatre at Wangsimni, Seoul, in August 2019. Second screen opened at CGV Songpa in December 2019. Vision of 'Cultureplex' aligns with FLEXOUND's multi-sensory audio technology.
- Ferco SeatingcoreWorld-renowned seat manufacturer headquartered in the UK with international footprints globally. Gained FLEXOUND certification for multiple seat models including Premium Verona, Premium Milano, Opus, and others (totaling 4-5 certified models). First cinema seats certified for FLEXOUND Augmented Audio are in mass production, distributed to exhibitors worldwide. Seats supplied to CGV Korea, TGV Malaysia, Empire Cinemas KSA, Cineum Cannes, and others.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Flexound Systems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bang & Olufsen: Premium audio brand with long-standing automotive partnerships (BMW, Audi, Lamborghini). Comparable to Flexound in delivering high-end audio experiences for automotive OEMs and premium consumer markets, with similar B2B ingredient branding model.
- Sonos: Premium home audio brand competing in wireless consumer audio. Comparable to Flexound's HUMU cushion in the home audio device space, though Sonos is consumer-direct while Flexound is primarily a B2B technology licensor with a small consumer pilot.
- Dirac Research: Swedish audio technology company specializing in sound optimization and digital signal processing for automotive, home, and pro applications. Closely comparable to Flexound as a B2B audio technology licensor with a similar small-team, multi-vertical approach.
- Harman International: Audio equipment leader (Samsung subsidiary) with deep automotive OEM relationships and B2B audio licensing. Highly comparable to Flexound in delivering premium in-cabin audio to automakers and consumer brands, with similar enterprise sales motion.
- Bose: Premium audio equipment company with automotive OEM partnerships and a history of seat-sound innovation. Comparable to Flexound in high-end audio for automotive, home, and professional applications, and in B2B ingredient branding to host brands.
Others
- IMAX: Premium cinema technology company with image and audio systems. Adjacent to Flexound as a cinema technology partner and co-deployer in premium theaters (e.g., Cineum Cannes), though IMAX is not directly competitive in audio and serves as a complementary ecosystem participant.
Emerging players
- Noveto Systems: Israeli audio startup with smart audio beaming technology enabling personal listening without headphones. Comparable to Flexound as an emerging personal audio technology company with novel listening experiences and a similar venture-backed growth profile.
Broad incumbents
- DTS (Xperi): Established cinema audio technology (DTS:X) often co-deployed with FLEXOUND in premium theaters like Cineum Cannes and Cineplanet. Comparable in cinema audio experience, though DTS is a much larger incumbent with a broader codec and licensing portfolio.
- Dolby Laboratories: Established audio technology leader with cinema (Atmos), automotive, and consumer applications. Comparable to Flexound in cinema audio and premium sound experiences, though operates at much larger scale across a broader portfolio and is often co-deployed with Flexound in premium theaters.
- Sennheiser: Professional and consumer audio equipment maker with automotive partnerships (Sennheiser Mobility) and AMBEO spatial audio. Comparable to Flexound in serving multiple audio verticals with high-quality products and a mix of licensing and direct sales.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Flexound Systems social profiles
Digital presenceFlexound Systems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Flexound Systems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Flexound Systems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Flexound Systems 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 Flexound Systems
What does Flexound Systems do?
Flexound Systems develops and licenses its patented FLEXOUND Augmented Audio technology — a multi-sensory audio module that combines full-range high-quality audio (20 Hz to 20,000 Hz) with gentle physical sound wave vibration transmitted through soft foam materials, enabling users to both hear and feel sound via skin and body contact. The company primarily monetizes through technology licensing and ingredient branding to host product manufacturers (cinema seat makers, automotive OEMs, aviation, furniture and consumer device brands), supplemented by co-development services with partners and direct sales of consumer wellness products such as the HUMU cushion.
Is Flexound Systems a public or private company?
Flexound Systems is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Flexound Systems founded?
Flexound Systems was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Flexound Systems based?
Flexound Systems is headquartered in Espoo, Finland, in the Europe region.
How does Flexound Systems make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Technology Licensing (Ingredient Branding) is the primary driver. The others are co-development Services and embedded Proprietary Software.
Who are Flexound Systems's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bang & Olufsen, Sonos, Dirac Research, Harman International and Bose. IMAX is listed as an others. Noveto Systems is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are DTS (Xperi), Dolby Laboratories and Sennheiser.
Does Flexound Systems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Flexound Systems.
What industry is Flexound Systems in?
Flexound Systems's product category is Augmented Audio Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAQAL, Mental Wellness & Stress Management Devices (Biofeedback, Meditation/Neurostimulation Devices). Its NAICS code is 334310 and its SIC code is 3651.