Spotlight: Fuat Koro – CEO of Tectonic Audio Labs

Tell us about Fuat and your time leading the innovation team to Bose Corp.

While at Bose, I headed a division focused on driving new business innovation. My objective was to overcome two pitfalls that plague corporate innovation. Firstly, I aimed to bridge the gap between critical capabilities in technology, customer insights, and business strategy. Often, organizations compartmentalize these functions, leading to scenarios where technologies are developed without clear applications, inspirational user stories lack a technological foundation, or financial projections are overly optimistic. Secondly, I sought to overcome the 'not invented here' mindset that can hinder progress. To accomplish this, we assembled a team of 160 professionals, including engineers, user researchers, business development experts, and corporate venture specialists, forming a versatile, 'full-stack' organization capable of pursuing the optimal build/partner/buy mix. The outcome was the successful incubation of adjacent businesses, such as audio eyewear, hearing aids, sleep products, gaming headsets, and enterprise Augmented Reality."

What spurred you to forego life at a large, well known audio brand to take the helm at a Seattle-based startup?

Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working on numerous audio technologies. While some show promise in the lab, only a select few deliver an audible “wow” experience, and an even smaller fraction prove to be manufacturable. Tectonic’s BMR technology is in that last category. What really ignited my enthusiasm to join Tectonic a year ago was to harness this technology to build a range of innovative products, all while crafting a business model that could transform it into the new industry standard for audio design.

What sets Tectonic Audio Labs apart from other speaker technologies? Isn’t a speaker, just a speaker?

While manufacturers have made significant strides in advancing various hardware and software technologies to enhance speaker performance—such as utilizing superior materials, refining manufacturing processes, and implementing digital signal processing—there's one key component that has remained unchanged for almost a century: the speaker driver. This core element, responsible for converting electrical signals into audible sound waves, still adheres to a design established in 1925! Traditionally, speakers rely on multiple drivers to cover the treble and mid-range frequencies of human hearing. These drivers typically create a good listening experience only within a narrow 'sweet spot.' Furthermore, these drivers predominantly take the form of cones, constraining design possibilities. Enter BMR technology, which presents the opportunity to craft full-range capable of delivering immersive sound with a wide coverage from unique form factors. Our customers frequently tell us they can reimagine the way they approach speaker design.

Where do you see the audio application market evolving over the next decade?? How has your time at Bose and now Tectonic influenced your view? 

I've had a diverse career in the audio industry, spanning roles as an engineer, business executive, and investor. This unique background has afforded me the opportunity to observe three key trends emerging in the market:

Firstly, audio innovations show no signs of slowing down. On the contrary, we're currently witnessing an audio renaissance, with new hardware like VR headsets, smart speakers, and earbuds delivering groundbreaking audio experiences enhanced by cutting-edge software such as spatial audio and AI-driven signal processing. Secondly, as products become more complex and refresh cycles accelerate, OEMs are increasingly turning to external partners for innovation, especially in the realm of audio. Thirdly, the technologies that truly succeed commercially are those that can seamlessly integrate into existing cost-efficient supply chains.

At Tectonic, we're strategically positioned to harness all three of these trends. Our technology significantly enhances the audio experience for consumers, OEMs value our partnership as co-innovators, and manufacturers can easily incorporate our technology into their existing production processes.

Tell us something about Tectonic’s technology and its application that most people aren’t aware of?

Tectonic's technology originated from research conducted by the UK Ministry of Defense, initially aimed at addressing panel vibrations in the aerospace sector. As is often the case with innovation, this research ultimately yielded a distinct and unexpected application within the realm of audio!

What keeps you up at night with excitement, not fear?

I can’t wait for the unveiling of our upcoming product line at CES 2024. We are expanding our portfolio twofold, and I am excited to “wow” our customers with our most compelling audio demos to date.

What has it been like working with WestRiver Group?

WRG really shares our vision around the technology. They are passionate about the audio domain and believe in our potential in the market. That shared alignment also extends to work culture and communication styles which has created a productive partnership with our entire leadership team. Additionally, Anthony Bontrager has been an amazing thought partner and a valuable member of our Board. With his backing, WRG has offered assistance and counsel in addressing a comprehensive spectrum of business challenges, spanning from strategy development to G&A matters.

What does the future hold for Fuat and the Tectonic team?

We have an exciting roadmap of ground-breaking products, a dedicated team working on their development, and a plan to bring them to market. We are looking forward to delivering these products into the hands of our customers and establishing the next audio standard.