Phononic Vibes secures €25 million to scale noise control technology
Milan-based deep-tech startup Phononic Vibes has raised €25 million in a round led by Jolt Capital to scale its lightweight metamaterial noise control solutions, which are already certified by Deutsche Bahn and used in series production by Mercedes-Benz.
Phononic Vibes has secured €25 million in funding to expand its global leadership in noise control technology. The Milan-based deep-tech company, which has doubled its revenue annually since 2018 and reached break-even in 2025, designs metamaterial products that weigh up to 30% less than conventional solutions while matching or exceeding acoustic performance.
The financing round was led by Paris-based private equity firm Jolt Capital through its Jolt Capital V fund, which is nearing a final close with a target of €1 billion. The investment marks Jolt Capital's first foray into the Italian deep-tech sector. Existing investors Eureka! Venture SGR, CDP Venture Capital SGR, and Simest SpA also participated, while 360 Capital exited its stake held since the seed round.
Phononic Vibes was founded in 2018 as a spin-off from Politecnico di Milano by Luca D’Alessandro, Giovanni Capellari, and Stefano Caverni. Its technology has gained significant industrial validation. Deutsche Bahn has certified the company's transparent noise barrier for the German rail network. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz has integrated the metamaterial into series production, making it the first such material used in a mass-produced vehicle.
Investor confidence and strategic backing
Andrea Traversone, managing partner at Jolt Capital, stated that noise control is at a turning point, with conventional products hitting physical limits. He emphasized that Phononic Vibes combines new science, a patented design engine, and industrial-scale manufacturing, positioning it to become a global leader. The company's proprietary design engine is protected by 18 patent families and enables rapid development of certified products from application libraries.
Stefano Peroncini, CEO of Eureka! Venture SGR, noted that the startup's team has evolved from early technology exploration to a focused industrial strategy built on clear market needs. This blend of scientific ambition and commercial discipline, he said, is what sets successful deep-tech companies apart. Cesare Maifredi of 360 Capital Partners reflected on the journey from a university lab idea to a break-even industrial company with hundreds of global customers, expressing confidence in Jolt Capital as the right partner for the next growth phase.
Operational and application expansion
The new capital will accelerate the international scaling of Phononic Vibes' design engine, fuel development of new applications, and support targeted acquisitions. The company already manufactures in Italy and leads a consortium of established European manufacturers, including Matis, which was founded in 1979. Major construction contractors Webuild and Eteria select its barriers for their faster installation times.
The market need is pressing. The World Health Organisation identifies noise as the second greatest environmental health risk after air pollution, with one in five Europeans exposed to harmful levels. Industries from data centres and rail networks to energy infrastructure and electric vehicles increasingly demand lighter, more compact, and certified noise control solutions.
CEO Luca D’Alessandro framed the innovation as a fundamental design shift, arguing that weight has historically been the price paid for silence. His company has demonstrated it is a choice, validated through collaboration with demanding European industrial clients. The funding positions Phononic Vibes to leverage its patented technology and industrial partnerships for international scaling and application expansion.
