From custom-fit Hearables to dental devices: how H3D led a Swinburne alum to startup success

H3D, formerly known as Hearables 3D, began with a focus on custom-fit audio devices. The idea originated during co-founder Dr Philip Kinsella’s time as a PhD student at Swinburne University of Technology, where he developed solutions to scale custom-fit hearing devices.

Backed by Swinburne’s investment, Dr Kinsella’s exploratory research matured from proof of concept to a market-ready prototype.

As the company’s technology evolved, so did its potential to serve the dental market, leading to a rebranding.

“Our original name was very audio-specific,” says Dr Kinsella, now a Swinburne alum.

“Once we decided to apply our technology to dental it was obvious we needed to rebrand and the H3D abbreviation was already commonly used by our existing customers.”

Today, H3D’s products serve a range of customers, including audiologists and dental professionals, addressing a key need for personalised, high-quality, custom-fit devices. Their advanced 3D design technology allows for rapid production, solving the problem of scale for both industries.

H3D co-founder Dr Philip Kinsella developed his startup at Swinburne

Scaling and entering new markets

Since 2019, H3D has been ramping its business to where it has now processed over a million custom earpieces, leveraging a scalable software platform that now supports complex devices like in-ear monitors and in-ear hearing aids with intricate printing needs.

H3D has grown in tandem, from a two-person startup to a 19-member team with offices in Australia, Ireland and Denmark. Although adapting to remote work has been challenging, the company has maintained a cohesive culture.

“As a company that works mostly remote and in three different time zones, one of the keys to our success has been trusting in the team. Each individual team member is responsible for their work,” says Dr Kinsella.

As the company expands into the dental market, H3D is preparing to launch an automated computer-aided design (CAD) service aimed at revolutionising 3D-printed dental products.

“There’s a lot of room for innovation within the dental sector. We’re confident our expertise will help us stand out.”

Lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs

Reflecting on H3D’s journey, Dr Kinsella highlights one key lesson learned from an early setback.

“Early on we lost a customer because our technology wasn’t up to their standards. Three years later we signed them as a new client. I really learnt to take on the feedback and continue to work on the technology.”

Learning to embrace failure and ‘failing forward’ is a crucial part of the startup journey. Swinburne supports this mindset for founders through a suite of entrepreneurial programs, which help startups navigate early challenges.

Aspiring entrepreneurs can explore the university’s offerings for early, mid, and late-stage startups through the Swinburne Innovation Studio.

With continued innovation across both the audio and dental sectors, H3D’s journey is a testament to the commercial success that can come from within Swinburne’s research community.

For those at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey, Dr Kinsella advises focusing on collaboration and early professionalism.

“Find people who are good at the things are you are bad at. There are only so many hours in the day and you can’t do everything,” he says.

“Also, leave ego behind. If you want people to make your business successful you should be open to criticism and let them help. Titles don’t matter in the long run.”