Aisti, a Finnish startup redefining how acoustic tiles are made, has secured €29 million in Series A funding. The investment came from early-stage investors, including Voima Ventures (which invested in NADMED and Enifer), Maki.vc (which backed Distance Technologies and IQM), and the Valve Ventures consortium, alongside private investors.
The round comprises non-equity financing, including a €5 million loan from Norion Bank and €7 million public grant from the South Savo ELY Centre as well as a €8.5 million capital loan from the Finnish Climate Fund. Also, Finnvera supported this financing round. With this, the total funding raised by the company accounts for $32 million.
Build its first commercial factory in Finland
The company will use this investment to construct its first commercial factory in Kitee, Finland. This milestone supports the production of Aisti Teno acoustic tiles, a sustainable alternative designed to revolutionise the acoustic solution market with renewable wood fibre technology. With the Kitee factory, Aisti aims to produce 2.5 million square metres of tiles annually by 2026.
What challenge does it resolve?
The Nordic acoustic tiles market, dominated by traditional mineral wool materials, faces growing demand for sustainable, cost-effective alternatives that align with modern environmental standards. Aisti addresses this gap with its innovative wood fibre-based acoustic tiles, offering high-performance, recyclability, and user-friendliness at a competitive price point. By combining functionality with eco-conscious design, Aisti meets the region’s need for greener construction solutions.
Sustainable building component
Founded in 2019 in Jyväskylä, Finland by Mikko Paananen, Antti Fredrikson, and Petri Jetsu, Aisti aims to reduce the construction industry’s carbon footprint. Its acoustic tiles are free from plastic binders and irritating fibers and excel in recyclability and functionality. Their foam-forming process transforms wood fibres into lightweight, porous tiles, offering superior acoustics and thermal insulation capabilities. These tiles cater to modern construction needs while reducing reliance on traditional mineral wool-based materials.
Its groundbreaking Aisti Teno tiles offer a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative, meeting the needs of modern construction while advancing sustainable building practices.
Aisti has secured long-term purchase commitments from customers, guaranteeing sales worth €6.8 million annually. These agreements indicate strong interest and demand for its products. The value of these agreements accounts for 3% of the total market for acoustic tiles in the Nordic region, showcasing Aisti’s growing presence and potential to capture more market share in the future.
What lies ahead for Aisti?
The company positions itself as a trailblazer building the future of sustainable acoustic solutions that are safe and sound for people and the environment. By combining innovation, sustainability, and functionality, Aisti is set to redefine construction materials, aligning with the growing demand for environmentally responsible practices.
“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. “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.”
“We are proud to support Aisti in its mission to revolutionise 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.
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