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Audiowings is bringing you the next-generation of headphones – Startup of the Week

Welcome to the first episode of the Elevator Pitch series 4.

Every week we publish a 30 second pitch from the latest intake of the Elevator Pitch. These leading startups join an alumni group that includes the likes of YPlan, Hassle, import.io and Glow, and has to-date raised over $36m.

In this series we took the founders on a cab ride unlike any other for the most exciting pitch of their lives.


The last few years have seen the explosion of high-end headphones. What used to be a clunky unstylish accessory has seen a revival; they are now fashionable accessories with audio quality to rival some of the best sound systems around.

Audiowings is the next generation – headphones that offer the same quality and flair but with technology not seen in any of its contemporaries.

Internet-enabled headphones

Audiowings develops internet enabled headphones, designed to rid users of the reliance on mobile phones or mp3 players when they want to listen to music.

The startup is currently also developing an audio platform to go with their smart headphones – a platform that aggregates content from audio providers, Spotify among others, based on the context of the headphones.

It is the brainchild of Carl Thomas who was tired with the lack of innovation in the industry.

Audiowings: the origin story

Carl Audiowings headshotThe idea came to Thomas after his mobile was stolen when listening to bluetooth headphones in the gym.

I spoke to other gym buddies, and I was surprised to find that they had similar issues to me.

This, along with more comprehensive surveys, gave me the confidence and momentum to build Audiowings.

The startup has so far been self-funded and plans to launch the first headphones in early 2015.

Early success

Audiowings has already caught the attention of serial entrepreneur Richard Branson, winning the public vote at his Pitch2Rich competition in May.

The upcoming 12 months are going to be important to the business. It is currently in the middle of a funding round which will help it in its R&D phase.

Thomas acknowledges that the market for smart headphones is very young, but believes it is primed for expansion as on-demand music continues its rise in popularity.

Stay tuned!

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