Jyväskylä-based startup Aisti has successfully closed a €29 million Series A funding round to accelerate the production of its innovative acoustic tiles, which are made from renewable wood fibres.
The funding will primarily support the construction of Aisti’s first commercial factory in Kitee, Finland, enabling the company to bring its Aisti® Teno acoustic tiles to the construction market.
The funding round drew a mix of notable investors, including Voima Ventures, Maki.vc, Finnvra, and Valve Ventures consortium, alongside contributions from private investors. Non-equity financing also played a key role, with €5 million in loans from Norion Bank, €7 million in grants from the South Savo ELY Centre, and an €8.5 million capital loan from the Finnish Climate Fund.
“With Aisti’s technology, we’re finally introducing a cutting-edge, cost-effective acoustic solution for the construction industry. Playing a pivotal role in modern construction, our tiles set new standards for how advanced, natural materials can enhance both performance and design,” said Mikko Paananen, CEO and Founder of Aisti.
Founded in 2019 by Mikko Paananen, Antti Fredrikson, and Petri Jetsu, Aisti has raised a total of €32 million to redefine acoustic solutions and reduce the construction industry’s carbon footprint. With its team of eight professionals, the company seeks to deliver cutting-edge products that align with modern construction demands and sustainability goals.
Aisti’s acoustic tiles aim to transform the construction industry by offering a sustainable, high-performance alternative to traditional mineral wool-based materials. The tiles are free from plastic binders and irritating fibres, making them user-friendly, recyclable, and capable of delivering outstanding technical performance at an affordable price. These attributes are complemented by the tiles’ reported ability to enhance well-being and functionality in modern spaces.
The innovation lies in Aisti’s patented foam-forming technology, which turns lignocellulosic wood fibres into highly porous, lightweight tiles.
Designed to meet contemporary construction demands, the tiles offer a renewable alternative to traditional mineral wool-based materials in suspended ceiling systems and can also be adapted for use in thermal insulation, packaging materials and composites
The new Kitee factory will enable Aisti to achieve an annual production capacity of 2.5 million square metres.
The company plans to initially target the Nordic market, where demand for sustainable building solutions is growing. The company has already signed multiple off-take agreements with a total annual value of €6.8 million, representing 3% of the Nordic acoustic tiles market.
Paananen added, “This funding allows us to move forward with constructing the Kitee factory, which enables our long-term commercial plans. We aim to first serve the Nordic market, meeting the growing demand for more natural building solutions in the region. We’re thrilled to have strong support from investors and other partners as we embark on this next growth phase and bring our product to market.”
The Aisti® Teno tiles are expected to hit the market by the second half of 2026, offering a sustainable alternative that aims to match the performance and affordability of traditional options.
“We are proud to support Aisti in its mission to revolutionize acoustic solutions with sustainable, high-performance materials. This funding milestone marks not only the start of an exciting growth phase but also a transformative step for the construction industry as a whole,” says Pirkka Palomäki, Partner, Maki.vc.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2024/12/sound-investment-aisti-secures-e29-million-for-green-acoustic-tiles/
