In general, the real value to a country’s economy comes when startups begin to scale and develop sufficiently with significant income. While some startups can usually run without investors, most of them cannot. Furthermore, many countries in Europe still need a real change towards promoting more innovative and entrepreneurial culture.
In an attempt to give that much-needed push to such startups, the European Parliament opened the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). Since 2012, EIT Digital Accelerator has supported many ventures to scale up their business in Europe and beyond. The recent one to join the bandwagon is the German tech startup SonoBeacon.
In a recent development, SonoBeacon, developed in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology is joining the EIT Digital Accelerator to increase its market reach in Germany and other European countries.
Ultrasound-based software solutions
The ultrasound-based solution developed in ties with Fraunhofer Institute for Secure Information Technology makes use of the audio frequencies (20 to 22 kHz) available in which the information is modulated right at the point of interest. The SonoBeacon works by generating an inaudible high-frequency signal, which is transmitted by supplied hardware or an existing audio source.
Makes sound visible literally!
Based out of Hamburg in Germany, SonoBeacon can transmit any kind of relevant information from news to special offers in close range with perfect technical accuracy. A SonoBeacon-enabled app detects the high-frequency signal and triggers an interaction with the user.
In fact, the audible signal, which is not audible to the human ear is recognised by smart devices, so that, location and user-related content can be played.
Expanding markets!
With this step, the company is planning to expand its foothold in new sectors including retail, entertainment, fitness, public transport and cultural sectors.
The range of applications is almost unlimited.Thoralf Nehls, founder, SonoBeacon said in a company press release, “Wherever organisations operate intensive customer communications, this innovative audio technology can meaningfully help. In its startup phase, SonoBeacon GmbH will concentrate on the areas of retail, culture, entertainment and public transport.”
Supported more than 250 startups!
EIT Digital has a team which consists of experienced business developers and finance experts operate from 13 cities across Europe as well as a hub in San Francisco, USA. Since 2012, the team has supported more than 250 startups to access new markets and helped them raise more than €90 million in investment.
“We are very keen to support SonoBeacon in their endeavours to expand their business internationally. The EIT Digital Accelerator has a specialised ‘Access to Market’ service for fast-growing scaleups. SonoBeacon is a perfect fit, as its solution will meet the demand for local promotion of news and special offers in various sectors. We have already identified organisations that are highly interested in meeting with Thoralf Nehls and his team,” said Wolfgang Kniejski, EIT Digital’s Access to Market Lead for Digital Infrastructure Technologies.
For more updates, stay tuned to Silicon Canals.
01
No early-stage VCs, no economy: Cottonwood’s Alain le Loux on Fund IV, early-stage deep tech startups, science IP-based innovation