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§ Private Profile · Santa Monica, CA, USA
SonicEnergy™ is a technology company.
SonicEnergy™ develops a wireless energy solution providing "Always On Wireless Energy™" through advanced ultrasound technology. The company engineers proprietary transducers, transmitters, receivers, and software that convert electrical energy into acoustic energy, transmitted via tightly focused beams. This innovative approach allows for wire-free power delivery to electronic devices over distances.
Founded in 2012 by Meredith Perry, the company originated from an insight into the necessity of safe, reliable, and long-range wireless power. Perry envisioned a future where devices could be continuously powered without the constraints of wires or frequent battery replacements, thereby enabling an always-on ecosystem.
SonicEnergy's technology addresses the power needs of diverse applications, including IoT devices, medical and aerospace systems, smart agriculture solutions, and portable electronic products. The company's long-term vision centers on establishing a robust and ubiquitous wireless energy infrastructure, making the concept of an "always on" network a practical and sustainable reality.
SonicEnergy™ has raised $40.8M across 4 funding rounds.
SonicEnergy™ has raised $40.8M in total across 4 funding rounds.
SonicEnergy™ (formerly uBeam) was a technology company developing wireless charging via ultrasound, aiming to transmit power over distances using safe ultrasonic array technology.[1][2][3][4] It targeted consumers and devices needing "Always-On Wireless Energy™," solving the problem of cable clutter by beaming power through the air at frequencies of 45-75 kHz and intensities of 145-155 dB SPL via phased array techniques.[1] Despite early hype and prototypes, the company showed no commercial product launch and ceased operations in February 2024, marking stalled growth momentum after multiple CEO changes and restructurings.[1]
Founded in 2011 (or 2012 per some records) in New York by Meredith Perry, a University of Pennsylvania student, SonicEnergy originated from Perry's win in the PennVention invention competition.[1] The idea emerged from her prototype demo at The Wall Street Journal's D9 conference in May 2011, gaining media buzz including USA Today coverage.[1] Perry stepped down as CEO in September 2018, replaced by Jacqueline McCauley (acting), then Simon McElrea (who rebranded to SonicEnergy in 2018), Will Kain (acting from 2019-2021), reflecting turbulent leadership amid development struggles, culminating in shutdown in February 2024.[1]
SonicEnergy rode the wireless power trend in the 2010s, amid rising demand for cable-free charging in IoT, mobiles, and EVs, fueled by market forces like consumer frustration with ports and advances in beamforming.[1][2] Timing aligned with early wireless standards (Qi), but physics skepticism—ultrasound inefficiency over distance and safety concerns at high dB levels—hindered viability, influencing ecosystem caution toward unproven acoustic power claims.[1] It highlighted hype risks in cleantech startups, contributing to investor wariness in speculative energy transmission without scalable demos.
With operations ending in February 2024, SonicEnergy has no active future; its IP may resurface via acquisition, but core tech faced insurmountable efficiency hurdles.[1] Trends like gallium nitride chargers and far-field RF (e.g., from Energous) have eclipsed ultrasound approaches, evolving influence toward cautionary tales on overpromising physics-defying demos. This ties back to its bold origin: innovative ambition met real-world limits, underscoring validation needs in wireless energy pursuits.
SonicEnergy™ has raised $40.8M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $20.0M Series B in November 2017.
SonicEnergy™ has raised $40.8M in total across 4 funding rounds.
SonicEnergy™'s investors include 75 & Sunny, Accel, CP Ventures, Fifth Wall, Javelin Venture Partners, K9 Ventures, Lux Capital, Mantis VC, Peterson Ventures, Republic Records, True Ventures, Upfront Ventures.