Audio startup that uses ‘bending wave technology’ raises $6M, looks to ride smart speaker wave

Geekwire.com February 12, 2019

Seattle-area startup Tectonic Audio Labs has raised $6 million to further develop its audio technology used in smart speakers, TVs, cars, and other products. WestRiver Group and Delafield Hambrecht led the Series B round.

Founded in 2011, Tectonic uses bending wave technology to provide more immersive sound across varying environments. The company’s product uses composite panel tech instead of pistonic vibrations from a traditional cone diaphragm design.

Its customers across the world work in a wide spectrum of industries — Tectonic is used inside the ballroom at Treasure Island in Las Vegas; at the lobby and bar at the W Bellevue; and inside the first smoke alarm with Alexa inside.

Tectonic aims to ride the growth of the smart speaker market, which is expected to reach nearly $40 billion worldwide by 2025. CIRP last week reported an installed smart speaker base of 66 million units in the U.S., up from 36 million a year ago.

“We believe the market will continue to shift toward audio products that provide higher voice intelligibility and full range, natural sound,” said Craig Hubbell, Tectonic’s CEO who joined in November after a 16-year career at PlayNetwork. “We expect that our products will be used in a broad range of consumer products across several industries that want to make voice interaction and audio playback more enjoyable for consumers.”

Tectonic employs 25 people.

Taylor Soper is a GeekWire staff reporter who covers a wide variety of tech assignments, including emerging startups in Seattle and Portland, the sharing economy and the intersection of technology and sports. Follow him @taylor_soper and email taylor@geekwire.com.