EssilorLuxottica Acquires French AI Hearing Startup Pulse Audition

ENTITY Academy Acquires SpeakPulse

March 16, 2022

Education

ENTITY Academy has acquired SpeakPulse, an AI-enabled speech analytics interview-prep software founded by Clayton Terris. The technology will be integrated exclusively into ENTITY's wraparound EdTech offerings to enhance students' interview skills and confidence.

Apple Acquires Israeli Audio AI Startup Q.ai

January 30, 2026

AI & Machine Learning

Apple has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli audio-focused AI startup, in a deal reported to value the company at roughly $1.6 billion (estimates vary). Q.ai’s ~100 employees, including CEO Aviad Maizels and co‑founders, will join Apple as the company looks to integrate Q.ai’s audio and “silent speech” imaging/ML technology into its hardware and voice-enabled products.

PAI Partners Acquires Majority Stake in Audiotonix

April 23, 2024

Manufacturing

PAI Partners has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Audiotonix, the UK-headquartered global designer and manufacturer of professional audio mixing consoles and related products. Ardian will retain a minority stake alongside Audiotonix management; the investment will support R&D, product and software development, brand synergies and continued strategic M&A.

Eli Lilly Acquires Akouos to Advance Gene Therapies for Hearing Loss

October 18, 2022

Biotechnology

Eli Lilly agreed to acquire Akouos for approximately $487 million in cash plus contingent value rights that could increase the deal value to about $610 million. The acquisition gives Lilly Akouos's pipeline of AAV-based inner-ear gene therapies (including lead candidate AK-OTOF) to accelerate development of treatments for sensorineural hearing loss.

EssilorLuxottica Acquires Automation & Robotics (A&R)

August 4, 2025

Manufacturing

EssilorLuxottica has acquired Automation & Robotics (A&R), a Belgium-based designer and manufacturer of automated systems and optical metrology solutions for ophthalmic lens quality control. The bolt-on purchase advances EssilorLuxottica's vertical integration and strengthens its industrial solutions platform to support digital transformation and higher-quality ophthalmic manufacturing.

Samsung Medison Acquires French Ultrasound AI Firm Sonio

September 4, 2024

Medical Devices

Samsung Medison (part of Samsung) has completed a $92.4 million acquisition of Paris-based ultrasound AI company Sonio, acquiring 100% of the firm's shares after approval from the French Ministry of the Economy and Finance. Sonio — founded in 2020 and maker of FDA-cleared Sonio Detect for real-time fetal ultrasound guidance — will continue developing cross-vendor products while its AI capabilities are integrated into Samsung’s ultrasound roadmap.