sensiBel
Oslo, NO · Founded 2016 · 37 employees on LinkedIn · 6 known investors
Sensibel designs and manufactures studio-quality optical MEMS microphones for portable devices, professional audio equipment, and microphone array applications. The company offers the SBM100B series with superior dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio, and distortion performance alongside evaluation kits for integration and testing.
Also known as SensiBel · sensiBel AS
Founders & leadership
sensiBel was founded in 2016 by Matthieu Lacolle and Jakob Vennerød.
Investors · 6
Also in the syndicate · 4
Company profile
researched Aug 2026sensiBel is a Norwegian optical MEMS sensor company that develops and sells miniature microphones based on optical rather than capacitive sensing. Its SBM100B-series microphone combines a conventional ASIC and MEMS diaphragm with an optical detection module consisting of a VCSEL laser, a photodetector and a diffractive optical element that produces a measurable diffraction pattern from diaphragm displacement. The company states this approach replaces the diaphragm-and-backplate capacitive sensing that limits the performance and dynamic range of traditional MEMS microphones.
The SBM100B is offered in PDM, I2S and 8-channel TDM digital output variants, in flex and SMD form factors, with published specifications of 80 dBA SNR (20 Hz–20 kHz), 146 dB SPL acoustic overload point at 1 kHz/10% THD, 132 dB dynamic range, 24-bit output, -46 dBFS sensitivity, 14 dBA SPL equivalent input noise, sampling rates up to 192 kHz, 1.8 V supply and a 6 x 3.8 x 2.47 mm bottom-port package that is SMT reflow compatible. The company also supplies evaluation hardware: the AURORA evaluation kit for PDM/I2S microphones on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS over USB-C, and the POLARIS kit for TDM microphone arrays on Windows and macOS.
Targeted applications span general conferencing (ceiling arrays, tabletop and conference systems), industrial sound detection (machine health monitoring, environmental noise and drone detection, measurement microphones, security cameras), microphone arrays and beamforming, over-ear headphones and true wireless stereo earbuds including active noise cancellation and transparency modes, pro audio and prosumer recording, smartphones/tablets/laptops, spatial audio such as ambisonics and VR/AR headsets, and wearables.
Founding story
The concept of using optical technology for MEMS microphones originated in research at SINTEF in Norway during the early 2000s, with a functional prototype demonstrating low noise in the 2010s; the company was created to bring that research to market. CTO Matthieu Lacolle and Director of Systems Jakob Vennerød are named as co-founders [2].
Business model
sensiBel designs and supplies MEMS microphone components to device makers, selling the SBM100B-series in multiple interface and form-factor variants alongside evaluation kits (AURORA, POLARIS); customers request samples and quotations directly through the company [3].
Component sales of SBM100B-series microphones in PDM, I2S and TDM variants plus flex and SMD form factors, and evaluation kits [3].
Traction
The SBM100 began sampling in 2022 and the company states it is moving into high-volume production of the SBM100B, with all three interface variants listed as available. Its microphone is used in mh acoustics' newest ambisonics microphone (announced May 2026), and the SBM100B received a Best of CES award at CES 2026 and the EDN/Electronic Products 2025 Product of the Year award [0][2][3]. Sennheiser invested in a EUR 7 million round in February 2024, at which time the microphone was sampling with lead customers [6].
Latest developments
The company reported in February 2026 that the SBM100B won the EDN/Electronic Products 2025 Product of the Year award, and in January 2026 that it received a Best of CES award at CES 2026. In May 2026 it announced that its optical MEMS microphone is used in mh acoustics' newest ambisonics microphone. Media coverage was noted in EE Journal (August 2026) and Electronics 360 (August 2026) [0][2].
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history
Market position
Positions the SBM100B against conventional capacitive MEMS microphones, claiming roughly 10 dB higher SNR than other digital MEMS microphones available today and an AOP over 10 dB higher than leading MEMS microphones, with dynamic range comparable to studio microphones versus the sub-110 dB typical of capacitive MEMS parts [4]. In 2024 professional audio manufacturer Sennheiser invested in the company [6].
Optical detection of diaphragm movement using a VCSEL, photodetector and diffractive optical element instead of capacitive diaphragm-and-backplate sensing, which the company says yields ultra-low self-noise (14 dBA SPL EIN), 80 dBA SNR, 146 dB SPL AOP and 132 dB dynamic range with 24-bit output in a 6 x 3.8 x 2.47 mm surface-mount package; the technology is described as patented [0][3][4].
Technology
The SBM100B pairs a conventional ASIC and MEMS sensor with a precision optical detection system that measures diaphragm displacement. The optical module contains a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser and a photodetector plus a diffractive optical element generating a measurable diffraction pattern. The package uses a bottom substrate and top metal lid in the industry-standard bottom-port configuration and is SMT reflow compatible. Outputs include PDM, I2S and 8-channel TDM at clock frequencies of 1.5–12 MHz and sampling rates up to 192 kHz, with 1% THD at 135 dB SPL and 10% THD (AOP) at 146 dB SPL [3][4].
Go-to-market
Sells directly to product designers and manufacturers through sample requests, quotation requests, product briefs and evaluation kits on its website, supported by industry press coverage, trade-show presence (CES 2026) and design wins with audio brands such as mh acoustics [0][3].
Makers of conferencing systems, industrial and machine-health sound detection equipment, microphone arrays, headphones and TWS earbuds, professional and prosumer audio gear, smartphones, tablets, laptops, spatial-audio and VR/AR devices, and wearables [5].
Geography
Described as a Norwegian company, with technology roots in research at SINTEF in Norway; the company states it is actively engaging in the global market [2].
History
The technology traces to research at SINTEF in Norway in the early 2000s, where the use of optical technology for MEMS microphones was first explored; researchers there demonstrated a functional low-noise prototype in the 2010s. The company states it was established in 2017 to commercialize the innovation, and over subsequent years refined and miniaturized the design, secured industrial partnerships and scaled manufacturing. It began sampling the SBM100 package in 2022 as a fully integrated MEMS microphone with 80 dB SNR and 146 dB AOP, and describes itself today as entering high-volume production of the SBM100B [2].
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 5
launches, deals, and filingssensiBel announced a EUR 7 million funding round led by professional audio company Sennheiser together with existing main shareholders TRUMPF Venture, Skagerak Capital, Investinor, SINTEF Venture, MP Pensjon and Halden Kommunale Pensjonskasse. The company said funds would be used to expand production and invest in scalability.
sensiBel began sampling the SBM100 package, described as the first fully integrated MEMS microphone with 80 dB SNR and 146 dB AOP.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 8
primary sources listed
- sensiBelsensibel.com · web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does sensiBel do?
- Norwegian company making optical MEMS microphones that deliver 80 dBA SNR and 132 dB dynamic range in a miniature package.
- Who founded sensiBel?
- sensiBel was founded by Matthieu Lacolle, Jakob Vennerød in 2016.
- Who are sensiBel's investors?
- sensiBel's investors include Skagerak Capital, In-Q-Tel.
- Where is sensiBel headquartered?
- sensiBel is headquartered in Oslo, NO.