Norwegian startup Hance is redefining real-time audio processing with ultra-lightweight AI models—already adopted by Intel and used in F1.
AI Audio That Works at 200 MPH
Imagine missing critical communication while racing at 200 miles per hour—a life-or-death scenario in Formula One. That’s the kind of real-time audio clarity challenge Norwegian startup Hance is solving.
Hance’s AI-powered audio processing software is compact enough to run on-device, yet powerful enough to cut through engine roar, crowd noise, echo, and reverb in a fraction of a second. The company will demo its breakthrough technology at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, held October 27–29 in San Francisco.
The Technology Behind Hance
What sets Hance apart? Speed, size, and quality.
- The company’s AI model is just 242 kilobytes, small enough to embed on everything from walkie-talkies to smartphones.
- It processes audio with only 10 milliseconds of latency.
- It can remove noise, echo, reverb, and enhance voice clarity — all without needing a cloud connection.
This local-first design minimizes delay and power consumption, making it ideal for F1 radios, law enforcement, and even military-grade applications.
Built by Audio Veterans, Trained on Sonic Extremes
Founded by Stian Aagedal (CEO of Acon Digital) and Peder Jørgensen (of Soundly), the startup used professional-grade sound libraries to train its AI. That includes recordings of:
- Formula One race cars
- Volcanic eruptions
- Environmental noise extremes
This attention to detail has earned Hance customers like Intel and Riedel Communications, the official radio provider for Formula 1 and FIFA.
Working With Intel—and Beyond
Hance is collaborating with Intel to optimize its models for new chip architectures, including neural processing units (NPUs). The startup is also in talks with:
- Other chipmakers
- An undisclosed smartphone manufacturer
- Defense sector partners
These collaborations are non-exclusive, giving Hance room to scale across hardware ecosystems without vendor lock-in.
Focus on Fast Growth with Lean Teams
Hance’s CEO Joote Hika says the company is staying lean and heavily R&D-focused, preferring to hire “AI-capable” talent over large commercial teams.
“We now have an advantage over our competitors, but we definitely have to keep that up, so we’re pushing fast,” said Hika.
With just 10 employees, Hance is balancing early traction with focused iteration.
From the Racetrack to the Real World
Hance is poised to bring its high-performance audio tech beyond racing circuits and into smartphones, body cams, military gear, and even consumer electronics. Its ultralight AI models are designed to perform at the edge, meaning no internet, no lag — just instant clarity.
