The Scheek Brothers: Big Ideas, Small Speakers, Global Impact

A shared fascination with sound took brothers Mattias and Timothy Scheek from building their own speakers to an international multimillion-dollar acquisition. Raised in Amsterdam, the entrepreneurs of Surinamese descent developed technology through their company Mayht that caught the attention of audio giant Sonos. Their story is one of ingenuity, family bonds and the determination to turn ideas into reality.

A Childhood Shaped by Technology and Music

Timothy Scheek (1991) and his younger brother Mattias (1993) were curious builders from an early age. They experimented with components, took devices apart and built their own speakers. Their love of music, films and gaming inspired them to keep searching for better sound.

Their parents also helped nurture these interests. Their father worked at KPN and brought new phones home, sparking their curiosity about technology. Their mother sings and writes songs. She encouraged Timothy to choose a course of study that reflected his true interests. Technology and music were therefore intertwined in the brothers’ family life from an early age.

Timothy pursued studies in acoustics and product sound design in Utrecht, while Mattias studied Industrial Design Engineering at Delft University of Technology. Their skills complemented each other: Timothy came up with unconventional solutions, while Mattias helped develop them into technically feasible, practical designs. In 2013, they launched Scheek Loudspeakers, developing and selling designer speakers.

The Birth of Mayht

Their ambitions went beyond an attractive speaker enclosure. The brothers wanted to reinvent the technology inside, aiming to deliver powerful sound from smaller devices.

In 2016, they founded Mayht. Mattias became CEO, while Timothy took on the role of CTO, leading technical development. Delft Enterprises, affiliated with Delft University of Technology, supported the venture from its inception. Cofounder and Chief Commercial Officer Max van den Berg also helped build the business. Later investors included Forward.one, Exeger, and DJ and producer Martin Garrix.

Success followed years of research and financial uncertainty. The brothers have spoken about periods without salaries, living on simple meals while continuing to develop their invention.

An International Breakthrough

Mayht developed Heartmotion, a new approach to the technology that converts electrical signals into air movement to produce sound. On 11 April 2022, Sonos announced that it was acquiring the company for approximately US$100 million. According to Sonos, the technology enabled smaller, lighter speakers without compromising sound quality. Following the acquisition, the brothers joined Sonos as hardware directors.

From Speakers to Smart Watch Security

For Timothy, the acquisition marked the beginning of another chapter. After his time at Sonos, he returned to independent entrepreneurship. Quote reported on his idea for an invisible tracker for luxury watches, including Rolex timepieces. According to the publication, the concept emerged during a stay on Necker Island, Richard Branson’s island, where Timothy and Michel Pais explored a solution to watch theft. Their inspiration was the number of valuable watches left unworn because their owners feared having them stolen.

Through Saef, Timothy is focusing on security technology integrated discreetly into luxury watches. According to his own description, the initiative combines embedded hardware with an app and data analysis to support owners in cases of loss or theft. Timothy leads Saef as CEO, Max van den Berg is involved as CCO, and Mattias contributes as an adviser. Their earlier collaboration is thus continuing in a different industry.

Mattias also shares his experience with aspiring entrepreneurs. He documented Mayht’s journey in his book 100: The Audio Startup That Turned the Volume All the Way Up and now supports startups and growing businesses. The Scheek brothers continue to build on the qualities that drove them as children: curiosity, experimentation and the ability to see possibilities where others see limitations.