Cleveland-based Sonic Fire Tech has closed its seed financing at $15 million after securing a new investment led by The O.H.I.O. Fund, with Khosla Ventures making a follow-on investment. Existing backers Third Sphere and AirAngels also continued their support for the fire technology startup, which is developing infrasound-based systems designed to suppress or prevent fires without relying on water or chemicals. The funding will support commercial deployment, certification efforts, domestic manufacturing, and engineering recruitment in Ohio.
Scaling Fire Suppression Technology
Sonic Fire Tech develops acoustic fire defense systems that use infrasound to interfere with the conditions that allow fires to ignite and spread. The technology draws on aerospace engineering and research inspired by work associated with NASA, while the company has established its engineering operations in Cleveland near NASA's Glenn Research Center. Its systems are being developed for applications including residential properties, critical infrastructure, industrial facilities, utilities, lithium-ion battery environments, and wildfire protection.
The latest financing gives Sonic Fire Tech additional resources to expand manufacturing in the United States and build out its network of installation partners. The company also plans to hire more engineers in Ohio while advancing certification and regulatory compliance work needed for broader commercial adoption. Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Geoff Bruder said achieving certification is expected to open the way for deployments across homes, emergency services, utilities, and commercial properties.
Investors Back Ohio Expansion
The O.H.I.O. Fund said its investment reflects a strategy of backing companies capable of combining advanced technology with Ohio's manufacturing and engineering capabilities. Co-founder and President Ray Leach highlighted Sonic Fire Tech as an example of a business that could use the state's industrial base to develop and scale new hardware technologies. The fund has invested across areas including advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, infrastructure, real estate, and other sectors connected to Ohio's economy.
Khosla Ventures, which was among Sonic Fire Tech's original lead investors, also increased its commitment to the company. Partner Rajesh Swaminathan cited the startup's technical progress, certification pathway, and growing industry traction as factors supporting the firm's renewed investment. The participation of Third Sphere and AirAngels further extends the backing Sonic Fire Tech received during its earlier seed financing.
Commercial Testing and Validation
Since its initial seed financing closed in October 2025, Sonic Fire Tech has moved from prototype development toward field validation and early commercialization work. Its Home Defense System is undergoing UL validation testing for residential and industrial applications, while testing conducted by third-party-certified fire protection engineers has found its infrasound suppression technology performs comparably to residential sprinkler systems governed by NFPA 13D. The company is also preparing a demonstration installation in a 3D-printed home constructed by PCI Builders in Altadena, California.
Sonic Fire Tech says these tests are helping demonstrate how its platform could complement or provide alternatives to established fire protection approaches. Chief Commercialization Officer Remington Hotchkis said live demonstrations and continued testing have helped generate greater interest among fire industry professionals. The company is targeting markets where conventional fire suppression can face limitations, including data centers, advanced manufacturing facilities, battery installations, and locations exposed to wildfire risks.
The completion of Sonic Fire Tech's $15 million seed financing marks another step toward commercializing its infrasound-based approach to fire protection. With backing from The O.H.I.O. Fund, Khosla Ventures, Third Sphere, and AirAngels, the company is preparing to expand domestic production while progressing through certification and validation requirements. Its next phase will focus on translating technical testing and early demonstrations into wider deployment across residential, industrial, and critical infrastructure markets.