Montreal-based audio technology company Soundskrit Inc. advances and commercializes directional MEMS microphone technology for global consumer markets
OTTAWA (September 9, 2026) — Montreal-based Soundskrit’s Butterfly Demo Kit, a hardware-and-software platform designed to help consumer devices deliver clearer speech in real-world outdoor conditions is FABrIC’s first completed project. Already a commercial success, it’s a signal of the breadth of Canada’s semiconductor ecosystem — and its ability to turn complex technical challenges into commercially viable products.
For FABrIC, the Government of Canada’s Strategic Response Fund initiative, managed by CMC Microsystems, it’s an early proof that targeted support can help Canadian companies bridge the gap between advanced device development and market-ready product offerings – strengthening both company-level competitiveness and the domestic industry.
“Soundskrit’s Butterfly Demo kit demonstrates the potential the Government of Canada sees in our domestic semiconductor sector. While the initial, quick-to-market use case is in consumer markets, the technology has strong dual-use implications — particularly in emergency response applications where wind and weather can make verbal communication difficult with conventional microphones“ said Gordon Harling, President and CEO of CMC Microsystems.
Soundskrit was one of 20 successful projects from FABrIC’s inaugural Challenge round announced in 2025. The first $13.4M funding round leveraged $35.6M in total investment from industry to create new products and processes and to enhance the resilience of the supply chain for Canadian industry, from healthcare to the automotive sector.
Soundskrit’s project was part of the product development stream, which supported work aimed at developing advanced sensors for strategic end sectors. It was a modest $173,000 investment — and it has achieved market success, generated Canadian IP – and jobs.
Founded in 2019 at Montreal’s TandemLaunch startup incubator, Soundskrit develops directional microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphones that pick up sound from a preferred direction while rejecting background noise. The company was recognized as one of the top silicon startups to watch in 2023 and 2024 by EE Times’ Silicon 100.
MEMS are microscopic devices that integrate electronic circuits with mechanical components — such as sensors, switches, or moving structures — often fabricated using semiconductor manufacturing techniques.
Soundskrit’s technology is designed to address the growing audio demands of applications such as speech‑to‑text, live translation, intelligent conferencing, mobile devices, wearables, earbuds, and field devices. The company took an experimental approach to solving the wind challenge – resulting in a commercial-grade MEMS microphone that responds to changing wind conditions.
“FABrIC funding allowed us to dedicate more resources to audio challenges we hope our technology can help solve,” said Stephane Leahy, VP Hardware at Soundskrit. It accelerates our time to market and makes our overall product offering more compelling to our customers.”
Hardware development is capital-intensive and access to capital is a perennial issue for Canadian entrepreneurs. Government of Canada support through FABrIC is building domestic capacity and positioning the country as a trusted source of advanced semiconductor technologies – it is having a material impact on the commercial viability of emerging companies here at home, like Soundskrit.
Read the full story here.
About Soundskrit
Soundskrit is an audio technology company whose cutting-edge directional MEMS microphones and audio software are paving the way for future consumer experiences. The company’s mission is to bring the next generation of high-performance audio-enabled experiences to consumer devices so consumers can hear the impossible.
About FABrIC
FABrIC is a Strategic Response Fund initiative of the Government of Canada to accelerate domestic capabilities in advanced semiconductor design and manufacturing. Managed by CMC Microsystems, FABrIC galvanizes national strengths in photonics, MEMS, compound semiconductors and quantum technologies, accelerating commercialization and amplifying Canada’s competitive advantages by maximizing the economic impact of its semiconductor sector.
About CMC Microsystems
CMC Microsystems has been enabling advanced technology innovation in Canada for more than 40 years, managing federal and provincial investments to support research, accelerate commercialization, and strengthen Canada’s high‑tech ecosystem. With support from the Government of Canada, CMC leads FABrIC, a $217‑million Strategic Response Fund initiative to build a vibrant and sustainable Canadian semiconductor ecosystem anchored by world‑class talent and global impact.
Contact Infortmation
Gordon Harling
President & CEO
CMC Microsystems
(613) 449 6820
harling@cmc.ca
fabricinnovation.ca | Linkedin