Dysonics, a deep-tech audio venture that builds hardware and software workflows for 3D audio applications, has been acquired by Google. In 2018, TechNexus Venture Collaborative led its Series B funding round, after joining the company during an earlier seed round.
Initially reported by Protocol, the news became public based on a recent filing Google made with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The transaction took place quietly in December of 2020 and was previously unannounced.
Dysonics gives AR/VR creators high-fidelity audio solutions to infuse in their content.
The advanced 3D audio technology is designed specifically for mobile applications, gaming, automotive, and the eSports entertainment industry. Formerly known as the Center for Image Processing and Integrated Computing (CIPIC) Lab, Dysonics is a product-driven company with a strong R&D team and legacy. The company was founded by Ralph Algazi, Richard Duda, and Robert Dalton.
Several publications speculated that the Dysonics team’s deep expertise in spatial audio hardware could align well with Google’s audio ambitions, and perhaps help support the emergence of new, advanced technologies, like Pixel Buds and Nest Audio, among others.
Dysonics was an early, foundational investment made by TechNexus to power the Audio Co-Lab, an ecosystem accelerator & investment engine which has grown to be one of the largest venture portfolios focused on advanced audio and communication technologies.
In partnership with corporations like audio equipment manufacturer Shure, who have decades of industry-leading experience, the Audio Co-Lab’s mission is to identify and explore the most important trends and opportunities defining the future of audio.
“We’re pleased with a successful exit of Dysonics, and the opportunity for that team to become an important part of Google’s journey. We’ve built an innovative portfolio of dozens of ventures with cutting-edge AI, signal, and advanced audio technologies. Even the biggest of ‘Big Cos,’ like Google, know the importance of leveraging external expertise and innovation from the venture ecosystem to advance the industry and their corporate R&D agendas.”
Terry Howerton, TechNexus CEO
Other investors include Rawah Partners, lead by Kevin Duncan who also chaired the Dysonics Board of Directors successfully through the Google acquisition, and Intel Capital, who collaborated with Dysonics to integrate advanced audio technology into chip processing and other applications.
These investors were among the first outside investors to recognize Dysonic’s potential value and supported their growth and technology development.
Commenting in 2016 on the company’s Series A funding, Ron Friedman, Intel’s corporate vice president and general manager of Integrated IP and Technology, said, “As Intel remains heavily focused on enabling rich content experiences across existing and emerging platforms and devices, the importance of delivering compelling audio is top of mind.”
Find more coverage of this acquisition on 9to5Google, XDADevelopers, and through public Patent Filings. To date, Google has declined to comment on the acquisition.
TechNexus Venture Collaborative has made hundreds of investments in promising, purpose-built startups with dozens focused on disruptive audio & advanced technologies. Review the complete investment portfolio and subscribe to our newsletter for more news and insights about the audio industry.