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Image credits: Dirac

Two decades back, a few PhD students at the Signals and Systems Group at Uppsala University had a problem with their speakers’ audio delivery. 

So they went on to combine their knowledge in digital signal processing with their passion for music to improve the audio of the speakers they used every day. Eventually, they succeeded and didn’t want to stop there. 

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They wanted to share these experiences with all the other audiophiles out there, and thus, Dirac was born. Notably, the company was named in honour of the British physicist Paul Adrien Maurice Dirac. 

Based out of Uppsala, Dirac optimises digital audio, perfecting sound for better listening in any environment. 

Raised €14.5M

Recently, the Swedish company raised $17.73M (approx €14.5M) from new investor TIN Fonder and existing investor DIG Investment. 

The direct share offering announced today raised $8.9M (approx €7.27M) from each investor. This funding round values the company at $142.2M (approx €116.2M). 

Peter Friedrichsen, Dirac’s CEO, says, “Now, with our new funding and realigned executive leadership team, we’re poised to fully capitalise on our growth potential and intend to make Dirac synonymous with superior sound experiences around the world.”

Patented sound solution technology

The company’s patented sound solution technology spans mobile, gaming, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, headphones, streaming, automotive, residential, and commercial AV.

Some of the world’s most respected brands, including Rolls Royce, Volvo, Polestar, BMW, BYD, Harman, Datasat, NAD, ASUS, and OPPO, bring the Dirac sound experience to their customers, claims the company. 

Successful 12 months

The Uppsala company says it has experienced marked success across all of its core channels including, home audio, pro audio, automotive, headphone, mobile, and streaming. 

Dirac signed deals with several OEMs, including Onkyo, Pioneer, Philips, Hyundai, Volvo, Polestar, BYD, Klipsch, and ASUS.

Automotive market entry

Back in March, the Swedish company announced its debut in the automotive market with a new digital audio solution designed specifically for entry-level audio systems.

The all-in-one intelligent audio platform consists of a measurement system, tuning tools, sound optimisation algorithms, and an IO to h/W platform. This enables manufacturers to achieve perfected sound faster and easier across vehicle models, claims the company. 

News sale channels

Besides, the company has also developed new sales channels, working directly with semiconductor and middleware companies – like NXP, Analog Devices (ADI), and CRI Middleware – to integrate Dirac audio into chipsets and platforms.

Dirac appointed growth business veteran Peter Friedrichsen as CEO and former CEO Mathias Johansson as Chief Product Officer.

In addition to its headquarters in Uppsala, Sweden, Dirac has offices in Shenzhen, Beijing, and Shanghai, China; an R&D facility in Copenhagen, Denmark; and representation in Germany, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the USA.