Arioso Systems closed it’s Venture Capital Seedround to advance a revolutionary µSpeaker technology

April 2, 2020

Arioso Systems GmbH, provider of a new disruptive micro-transducer technology announces the completion of its first financing round. Arioso Systems 2,6M€ financing round is led by Brandenburg Kapital (Potsdam, Germany), a subsidiary of Brandenburger Förderbank ILB, and supported by High-Tech-Gründerfonds (HTGF), Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen (Dresden) and business angels.

Arioso Systems is developing and marketing a novel kind of an all silicon mirco-speaker chip which is able to reproduce audio sound with highest fidelity. The Arioso chip is designed to replace common electrodynamic loudspeakers in wireless in-ear headsets, the fastest-growing headphone and wearables market. Arioso’s targeted customer range embraces all well-known audio and mobile phone brands.   

Arioso Systems’ chips are based on what is known as the complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) manufacturing process. CMOS technology accounts for more than 90% of the worldwide manufacturing capacity for micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS). Arioso Systems’ all silicon micro-speakers are therefore perfectly suited for large-volume production.

Arioso Systems’ all silicon micro-speakers feature a tiny form factor of only a few mm³, low weight, and high-power efficiency. These are the key requirements for advanced Hearables applications. Hearables are in-ear headsets, directly connected to the internet for perpetual access to multiple voice controlled online services.

Arioso Systems is a spin-off from the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS in Dresden. Fraunhofer has granted to Arioso Systems the exclusive license to commercialize the extensive IPMS patent portfolio for audio applications.

Dr. Hermann Schenk, leading managing director of Arioso Systems GmbH commented:

The market response to our technology is remarkable. Our all silicon micro-speaker enable completely new design possibilities and have the potential of creating attractive new value chains. The industry has clearly recognized this. Now it is crucial for Arioso to expedite market readiness.

Dr. Jan Blochwitz-Nimoth, co-managing director, amended:

Now we can setup Arioso Systems with high speed to efficiently support our customers. We will match our new technology to the specific requirements of their future mobile audio devices.

Prof. Ralf B. Wehrspohn, Executive Vice President, Technology Marketing and Business Models at Fraunhofer, said,

The core element in developing innovative breakthroughs made in Germany is to effectively and rapidly transfer research results to the economy. Spin-offs serve as an important value-creating bridge between research and industry. This means of transfer is a key pathway for the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft’s efforts to capitalize on intellectual property rights. The Fraunhofer-Zukunftsstiftung [Fraunhofer Future Foundation] also plays an important role, strengthening innovation and boosting employment in Germany by financing research at Fraunhofer Institutes and licensing research results. It also provides comprehensive support for the Arioso project. This is why I am so delighted that Arioso Systems, yet another young high-tech company with Fraunhofer roots, has set out to bring to market new technologies and develop them further in a customer-focused way.

Dr. Torsten Fiegler, Investment Manager at Brandenburg Kapital, emphasized:

The small and intelligent µSpeaker of Arioso Systems form an important catalyst for the fast-growing Internet-of-Voice services. The widely patented technology, the fabless business model and the experienced founders’ team are the best basis for future market success.

About Arioso Systems GmbH
Arioso Systems GmbH, a spin-off from Fraunhofer-IPMS in Dresden, develops and markets a novel disruptive micro-speaker chip technology, based on silicon MEMS (Micro-ElectroMechanical Systems). Arioso Systems supports the fast-growing market of In-Ear headphones and Hearables. The technology of Arioso Systems enables fast scaling to mass market. Key customer benefits include a small form factor and low weight, highest power efficiency and best sound fidelity. www.arioso-systems.com

About Brandenburg Kapital GmbH/ Investitionsbank des Landes Brandenburg
The Investitionsbank des Landes Brandenburg (ILB) manages various investment funds that finance growth- and innovation-oriented companies based and/or operating in Brandenburg. The funds for the early-stage and growth fund of Brandenburg Kapital, which was set up on behalf of the Brandenburg Ministry of Economics, are currently provided from funds of the European Regional Development Fund and from the ILB’s own funds. To date, ILB’s investment activities have helped 215 companies grow by around EUR 235 million. Around 8,400 modern jobs have been created or secured. The funds managed by ILB cover the entire spectrum from venture capital financing in the start-up phase and early growth phase to mezzanine financing for established medium-sized companies. In addition, private investors have so far invested more than 450 million euros in the companies.
www.brandenburg-kapital.de

About den Technologiegründerfonds Sachsen
The TGFS is a venture capital fund co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). By investing equity and / or equity-like funds, it participates in young, technology-oriented companies that meet the EU Commission’s criteria for small and medium-sized companies and are based in the state of Saxony.
www.tgfs.de

About Fraunhofer
The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, headquartered in Germany, is the world’s leading applied research organization. With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial exploitation of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for ground-breaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future. Founded in 1949, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft currently operates 74 institutes and research institutions throughout Germany. The majority of the organization’s 28,000 employees are qualified scientists and engineers, who work with an annual research budget of 2.8 billion euros. Of this sum, 2.3 billion euros is generated through contract research.
www.fraunhofer.de

About High-Tech-Gründerfonds
High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) is a seed investor that finances high-potential, tech-driven start-ups. With around EUR 900 million in total investment volume across three funds and an international network of partners, HTGF has already helped forge almost 600 start-ups since 2005. Driven by their expertise, entrepreneurial spirit and passion, its team of experienced investment managers and startup experts help guide the development of young companies. HTGF’s focus is on high-tech start-ups in the fields of digital business models, industrial technology, life sciences, chemistry and related business areas. To date, external investors have injected over EUR 2.4 billion into the HTGF portfolio via more than 1,500 follow-on financing rounds. HTGF has also successfully sold interests in more than 100 companies.
Investors in the public-private partnership include the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy, KfW Capital, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and 32 companies.
www.htgf.de/en

Contact
High-Tech Gründerfonds
Dr Olaf Joeressen, Investment Manager
T.: +49 228 82300 – 157
o.joeressen@htgf.de