Sound You can Feel: This Startup Aspires to define the Future of Audio Innovation
Valtteri Salomaki, CEO & Co-Founder
Ethan Castro was born hard of hearing but that didn’t diminish his love of music. As a boy, he’d hug his father’s speakers to feel every note reverberate through his body. Music was an experience of touch and sensation as much as sound, and he pursued his passion for music relentlessly.
“I was the hard-of-hearing music engineer,” Castro recalled.
Years of exploring the connection between sound and sensation inspired Castro to launch Edge Sound Research with Valtteri Salomaki in 2020. Initially, the startup introduced specially designed arena seats, allowing fans to both hear and feel the action through vibration. Imagine sitting in the upper deck at a basketball game but experiencing the rumble of a thunderous dunk as if you were courtside. Or watching a baseball game from a luxury box and hearing the crack of the bat as vividly as if you were at home plate. The company quickly gained traction, developing installations for the Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
But their vision didn’t stop at immersive seating. Edge Sound Research soon developed groundbreaking technology that revolutionizes how audio is captured, processed, and reproduced. By leveraging computer vision, the company helps automate audio workflows in real-time, enabling broadcasters and post-production teams to isolate sounds, mix audio seamlessly, and develop clean audio output. For example, during a basketball broadcast, Edge Sound Research can capture sounds from anywhere on the court, isolate specific audio (like a referee’s whistle or the swish of the net), and then deliver output of sound and vibration that’s dynamic and impactful.
“Today, audio capture and processing is done manually,” explained Salomaki. “Teams set up microphones around the court, and a technician has to turn those microphones up and down throughout the game to capture sound. We help make that process more automatic.”
The result? Viewers at home or in the venue can get an elevated sound experience.
“Our goal is to deliver a sound experience that’s equally immersive whether you’re in your living room or a packed arena,” said Salomaki. “We bring sound not only to the ears of the listener, but to their entire body.”
A Springboard for Success: Edge Sound Research and LIFT Labs
In the fall of 2024, Edge Sound Research joined the Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs AI Accelerator, a five-week program designed to connect startups with leaders across Comcast’s ecosystem. For Castro and Salomaki, the program offered a chance to explore partnership opportunities and unlock the potential of their technology across diverse applications.
“Multiple departments within large companies can potentially leverage our technology,” says Salomaki. “We’re thrilled to collaborate, learn, and build with Comcast. Partnerships are the cornerstone of our growth, and connecting with multiple business units at Comcast is a rare opportunity that’s invaluable to a startup like ours.”
It’s yet another milestone for the startup which has raised a $1.9 million venture capital seed round and has participated in startup programs run by the NBA and Major League Soccer.
Closing the Gap Between Audio and Visual Technologies
Castro and Salomaki envision a future where audio innovation matches the dramatic advancements achieved in visual technology. Compare a TV clip from today to one from 20 years ago and you’ll notice that the visuals now look crisp and dynamic. Meanwhile, sound advancements have typically lagged behind, relying on manual processes largely unchanged in recent years, Castro and Salomaki argue.
“Audio has the potential to catch up to visual advancements. “We’re helping to make it more efficient, automate workflows, and enable creatives to explore ideas that were previously impossible.”
— Ethan Castro, Co-Founder & CTO of Edge Sound Research
As Edge Sound Research continues to innovate, the company is developing “audio intelligence” that helps automate the entire process—from sound capture to final delivery. And their ambitions extend beyond entertainment.
“We don’t have all the answers yet, but we’re excited to explore the possibilities within other industries, Castro said.
With a vision to redefine sound and a commitment to innovation, Edge Sound Research is helping to shape a new era in audio—where sound isn’t just heard but experienced.
Author: Comcast NBCUniversal
