What Acoucité does

Acoucité is a French non-profit association (association loi 1901) founded in 1996 by Greater Lyon and five public technical research centers (IFSTTAR, ENTPE, CEREMA, CSTB) to serve as the first metropolitan-scale noise observatory in France. The organization operates a permanent noise measurement network of approximately 25 beacons deployed since 2006 across the Lyon metropolitan area, complemented by a mobile acoustic laboratory (electric vehicle with solar-powered 4-meter mast, deployed since 2014), the proprietary GIS-based GIpSyNOISE software for European Directive 2002/49/EC compliance, and interactive sound maps for major urban sites and festivals. Its product portfolio also includes the ORHANE regional harmonized nuisance observatory platform and educational tools such as the Educoson resources and the Louis Mannequin Auditeur hearing-health mannequin.

The organization's business model is grant-funded rather than commercial: it receives core support from Greater Lyon, the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, ADEME, and European programs (LIFE, Framework Programs). Its go-to-market is sales-led into local and regional authorities, with event-driven dissemination through conferences (Internoise, Euronoise) and thematic days. It serves as a competence center providing consulting, expertise, and decision support to elected representatives, local authority technicians, and citizen-facing education programs, with approximately 20 peer-reviewed publications produced annually. Acoucité anchors a partner observatory network covering six territories (Saint-Etienne, Grenoble-Alpes, Aix Marseille Provence, Nice Côte d'Azur, Métropole de Lyon, and the Principality of Monaco) and has participated in European research projects including HARMONICA (2011–2014) and MONICA (2017–2019).

The team of roughly a dozen specialists includes acoustic engineers, a doctor in psycho-acoustics, GIS specialists, cartographers, computer scientists, and project managers, led by Director Valérie JANILLON and Technical Director Patricio MUNOZ. Acoucité has no subsidiaries, no disclosed funding rounds, no M&A activity, and no commercial pricing — its services are delivered either through institutional grants or as in-kind support to government partners.

Name

Acoucité

Legal name

Acoucité

Website

https://acoucite.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Acoucité is a French non-profit association founded in 1996 that operates a permanent urban noise measurement network, GIS mapping software, and a mobile acoustic laboratory, serving local authorities in France and Monaco with consulting, compliance, and citizen-facing sound environment programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Noise Monitoring Services

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360)

akta.pro primary industry

Noise & Vibration Monitoring (Environmental/Community/Construction) (EUAHACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Continuous/Remote Monitoring Systems (IoT Sensors, Telemetry, Networks) (EUAHACAL), Environmental Data Management Platforms (EHS/EMS, LIMS, ELN, Compliance Data Hubs) (EUAHAKAA), Environmental Monitoring, Data & Reporting (Air/Water/Soil) (BPAIAMAC)

Keywords

• Environmental noise monitoring
• Acoustic consulting services
• Urban sound observatory
• Noise mapping solutions
• Sound environment assessment

Headquarters

HQ city

Lyon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Funding and Grants: As a non-profit association created in 1996 by Greater Lyon and public technical research centers, Acoucité operates primarily through public funding. The association benefits from support from Greater Lyon, French Ministry of Ecological Transition, ADEME, and European funding programs (LIFE, Framework Programs).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Acoucité operates an urban sound environment observatory offering continuous noise monitoring via a permanent measurement network, GIS-based noise mapping aligned with European Directive 2002/49/EC, on-demand acoustic studies using a mobile laboratory, methodological guides, citizen-facing sound maps, and hearing-health awareness tools. Services are delivered to local authorities, metropolitan governments, and the general public across France and Monaco.

Product overview

Acoucité operates as a non-profit association offering a comprehensive urban sound environment observatory ecosystem. The core offering consists of the Permanent Noise Measurement Network—a network of ~25 measurement beacons providing continuous monitoring—and GIpSyNOISE, a GIS-based software tool for noise mapping aligned with EU Directive 2002/49/EC. Supporting services include Acoustic Studies with a mobile laboratory (electric vehicle with solar-powered measurement equipment). The product portfolio also includes interactive Sound Maps for various festivals and urban areas, the Louis mannequin for hearing health education, the Educoson sub-brand for pedagogical resources, and the ORHANE regional data platform. Research projects (MONICA, HARMONICA, HOSANNA) contribute methodologies and IoT innovations. The organization also publishes the Soundscape and Noise Observatory Guide and various brochures for professional and public audiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Permanent Noise Measurement Network Network of approximately 25 permanent measurement beacons deployed across the Lyon metropolitan area, providing continuous monitoring of noise levels with values by beacon and statistical indexes per day, month, and year.
• GIpSyNOISE Software GIS-based decision support tool for noise mapping aligned with European Directive 2002/49/EC, designed for town planning users unfamiliar with acoustics or computing to support action plans and citizen information.
• Acoustic Studies and Mobile Laboratory On-demand acoustic measurements using Class 1 or Class 2 sound level meters and a mobile laboratory (electric car with measurement equipment and solar-powered autonomous system) for territory studies and project monitoring.
• Sound Maps Interactive sound maps for various locations including Saint-Jean historical area, Fête des Lumières festival, Kappa Festival, Parc Blandan, and Part-Dieu multimodal exchange hub, used in pedagogy.
• Louis Mannequin Auditeur Educational mannequin for identifying risky hearing behaviors during amplified headphone music listening, used for hearing health awareness in schools and public events.
• Educoson Resource website for sound environment education in the Lyon metropolitan area, providing pedagogical tools, lesson plans, and educational resources for schools.
• ORHANE Platform Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Harmonized Observatory of Environmental Nuisances platform providing data on air and noise exposure, with indicators at municipal and EPCI levels.
• Soundscape and Noise Observatory Guide Methodological guide for developing permanent noise measurement networks at urban area level, with English version available from 2009.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25 measurement beacons deployed and operational since 2006
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• McGill University Sound City teamminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020International research collaboration on COVID-19 sound environment perception surveys. Enables comparison of results between France and Quebec.
• Fraunhofer InstitutecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017Project leader for European MONICA project. Collaborates with Acoucité on IoT-enabled devices for sound quality and safety at large-scale outdoor events.
• Brüel & KjaercoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2017Technology partner in MONICA project contributing sound monitoring expertise and equipment for large-scale event noise management.
• City of TorinocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017European partner in MONICA project, implementing IoT noise monitoring networks in San Salvario district for leisure noise assessment.
• City of LyoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Local authority partner in MONICA project hosting events like Woodstower festival, Fête des Lumières, and Nuits Sonores for pilot demonstrations.
• Université Gustave Eiffel (UMRAE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Research partner contributing to ANR SonoRezé project and other collaborative research. Associated with IFSTTAR as founding member.
• Saint-Etienne MétropolecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Partner observatory with permanent acoustic measurement network. Acoucité assists in implementation and provides technical support for noise observatory development.
• Grenoble-Alpes MétropolecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Partner observatory with studies and noise mapping capabilities. Acoucité provides expertise and assistance for observatory implementation.
• Métropole Aix Marseille ProvencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Partner metropolis implementing noise observatories with support from Acoucité. Part of the 4 agglomerations retained for experimental observatory setup (2011-2013).
• Métropole Nice Côte d'AzurcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Partner metropolis developing outdoor noise monitoring observatories with Acoucité's assistance.
• Principality of MonacocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Most recent partner for noise observatory implementation assistance. Recently added to Acoucité's partner network.
• BruitparifcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Partnership with Bruitparif in the context of European research program Life+ for HARMONICA project (2011-2014). Goal: create normalized noise index for public and authorities.
• Greater Lyon (Grand Lyon)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1996Founding partner and primary supporter of Acoucité since 1996. Greater Lyon and Acoucité jointly developed the permanent noise measurement network starting 2004, with ongoing partnership for noise mapping and sound environment management.
• IFSTTARcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of Acoucité (formerly referenced as IFFSTAR). French institute for transport and mobility research.
• ENTPEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of Acoucité. National school for civil engineering and environmental sciences.
• CEREMAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of Acoucité. Center for studies and expertise on risks, environment, mobility, and development.
• CSTBcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of Acoucité. Scientific and technical construction center contributing to acoustic research.
• French Ministry of Ecological TransitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with Acoucité on noise mapping and creation of noise observatories. Participates in Open Data platform and national noise policy.
• Live DMAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean network for live music venues providing resources on sound regulations and music venue management in Europe.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): TNO is a Dutch applied research organization that conducts environmental noise research, smart-city pilots, and acoustic measurement programs comparable to Acoucite's research mandate. Comparable as a publicly funded research partner delivering noise expertise to municipalities and EU programs.
• CNB (Centre for Noise and Vibration, DTU): CNB is the Centre for Noise and Vibration at the Technical University of Denmark, conducting environmental acoustics research, measurement methodology, and standards work. Comparable to Acoucite's research and methodology development activities, and a peer in the European noise research community.
• Laboratoire de Recherche en Acoustique de l'Université de Lyon (LTDS / LAUM): French academic acoustics laboratories (LAUM at Le Mans, LTDS) conduct urban acoustics and environmental noise research comparable to Acoucite's research collaborations with IFSTTAR/ENTPE. They represent the upstream academic counterpart to Acoucite's applied observatory model.

Emerging players

• SoundPrint: SoundPrint is a US-based crowdsourced noise monitoring app that maps decibel levels in restaurants and venues. It is comparable to Acoucite's citizen-facing sound mapping tools (e.g., interactive sound maps of Lyon districts) but represents a more consumer-centric, US-focused emerging model.
• Cirrus Research plc: Cirrus Research manufactures Class 1 and Class 2 sound level meters, noise dosimeters, and environmental noise monitoring equipment. Their hardware is comparable to Acoucite's6-sound-level-meter inventory and 25 beacons, but they sell commercial products rather than operate as a service observatory.
• ACOEM (01dB / Brüel & Kjær-branded environmental line): ACOEM's 01dB and environmental noise monitoring product lines deliver Class 1 sound level meters, permanent monitoring stations, and software for environmental and community noise. The offering overlaps with Acoucite's measurement network and mobile lab capabilities, but as a commercial product vendor rather than a service operator.

Direct peers

• Lärmkontor GmbH: Lärmkontor is a Hamburg-based noise consultancy offering noise mapping, urban sound planning, and measurement services for municipalities and infrastructure projects. It is directly comparable to Acoucite's environmental noise consulting and EU directive compliance work, serving a comparable public-sector customer base.
• Bruitparif: Bruitparif is the Île-de-France noise observatory, structurally analogous to Acoucite as a non-profit association delivering permanent noise monitoring, mapping under EU Directive 2002/49/EC, and citizen information. Bruitparif is a listed partner of Acoucite in the HARMONICA/Life+ project and addresses the same regulatory-driven use cases for Paris-region authorities.
• Müller-BBM Group: Müller-BBM is a German acoustic engineering consultancy providing noise measurement, mapping, environmental impact studies, and vibration analysis for industry, transport, and urban planning. It is directly comparable to Acoucite's acoustic studies and mobile measurement services but operates as a commercial firm across broader German-speaking markets.

Broad incumbents

• Hottinger Brüel & Kjær (HBK): HBK (formerly Brüel & Kjær) is a global leader in sound and vibration measurement instrumentation and software, and a technology partner to Acoucite in the MONICA project. While a much larger player with a broad portfolio, its environmental noise monitoring line and Noise Sentinel service directly overlap with Acoucite's measurement network and GIpSyNOISE mapping offering.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Acoucite_Web
• Facebookfacebook.com/acoucite
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acoucite
• Instagraminstagram.com/acoucite

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Acoucité