USOUND GMBH

Their core work

USound is an Austrian deeptech SME specializing in MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) audio components — miniaturized speakers and microphones built on semiconductor technology. They design and develop digital MEMS loudspeakers for consumer electronics and have expanded into MEMS microphone sensors for industrial and aerospace applications. Their core value proposition is replacing conventional audio hardware with smaller, more precise, digitally-controlled MEMS transducers suitable for AR/VR headsets, wearables, and scientific measurement equipment.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

USound began its H2020 journey focused purely on MEMS speaker hardware, using SME Instrument Phase 1 (2016) and Phase 2 (2019) funding to develop and commercialize their digital loudspeaker technology. From 2021 onward, they diversified into two new directions: immersive audio software for AR/VR (SONICOM) and MEMS microphone sensors for aerospace testing (AEROMIC). This shift shows a company moving from a single-product hardware focus toward becoming a broader MEMS audio platform, applying their core transducer expertise across multiple application domains.

USound is expanding from pure hardware manufacturing into application-specific audio solutions, particularly for immersive computing (AR/VR) and aerospace sensing — both high-growth markets where miniaturized MEMS audio has clear advantages.

How they like to work

USound splits evenly between leading projects and joining as a partner. Their two coordinated projects were SME Instrument grants (Phase 1 and Phase 2), which is a classic growth trajectory for a hardware startup using EU funding to de-risk product development. As a participant, they join larger research consortia (15 unique partners across 8 countries) where they contribute specialized MEMS hardware expertise rather than leading the research agenda.

USound has worked with 15 distinct partners across 8 European countries, indicating a well-connected network for a 4-project SME. Their partnerships span both academic research consortia (SONICOM) and industry-driven aviation projects (AEROMIC under Clean Sky JTI).

What sets them apart

USound occupies a rare niche as one of very few European companies developing MEMS-based audio transducers — both speakers and microphones — from semiconductor design through to application integration. Their progression through SME Instrument Phase 1 to Phase 2 (securing EUR 1.87M) signals strong EU confidence in their technology readiness. For consortium builders, they offer a rare combination: deep MEMS fabrication knowledge paired with growing expertise in both consumer audio (AR/VR) and industrial sensing (aeroacoustics).

Highlights from their portfolio

• Digital speakers
  Largest project at EUR 1.87M via SME Instrument Phase 2 — represents the commercialization push for their core MEMS loudspeaker technology.
• SONICOM
  Positions USound in the AR/VR audio ecosystem alongside AI and spatial audio research, signaling their move beyond pure hardware.
• AEROMIC
  Unexpected diversification into aerospace — applying MEMS microphone technology to wind tunnel and flight test aeroacoustic measurement under Clean Sky JTI.