Transaction Highlights Hardware-Software Innovation
BOSTON November 2025 — MediaBridge Capital Advisors today announced that it served as the exclusive investment advisor to Apogee Electronics, an iconic brand and innovator in professional audio, in its recent sale to Rockforce Tech Holding Inc., founded and owned by leading professional audio entrepreneur, Dirk Ulrich.
The acquisition of Apogee by Rockforce, which acquired Manley Labs earlier this year, unites two highly respected audio brands with complementary strengths, creating a stronger, broader platform for innovation, engineering, and global market growth.
Apogee, founded in 1985 by Betty Bennett and Bruce Jackson, has been at the forefront of digital audio conversion, recording interfaces, and creative tools trusted by top artists, producers, engineers, and creators worldwide. With products used across music, broadcast, film, and immersive audio, Apogee has built a legacy of excellence, creativity, and uncompromising sound quality.
“We’ve reached an exciting moment in Apogee’s evolution,” said Betty Bennett, Co-Founder and CEO of Apogee Electronics. “To continue growing in today’s rapidly shifting audio landscape, Apogee needs expanded resources, new energy, and a broader operational foundation. Dirk brings all of that. His experience leading Brainworx and Plugin Alliance, and now Manley Labs, makes him uniquely equipped to guide Apogee into its next chapter. I’m profoundly proud of what our team has built, and I’m confident this partnership will elevate both companies in meaningful ways.”
Bob Clearmountain, Grammy and Emmy winning mixer, producer, and developer of Apogee’s flagship plugins, expressed his support for the transition. “Apogee has been a huge part of my professional life for decades. I’ve seen firsthand the care, integrity, and innovation that went into every product we developed. Dirk understands the importance of that legacy, and I’m excited to see Apogee and Manley combine their strengths. This partnership creates new possibilities for artists, producers, and engineers everywhere and I’m proud to see Apogee carried forward with that vision.”
Dirk Ulrich, CEO of Rockforce. said: “Apogee has an extraordinary heritage and an incredibly loyal user base. By bringing Apogee and Manley together, we are creating a powerful ecosystem of high-end audio tools that will benefit professionals, creators, and music makers around the world. Whether it’s analog or digital, it’s all about the sound. I’m honored to continue the legacy that Betty, Bob and the Apogee team have built.”
Apogee will continue operating from its Santa Monica, California headquarters. Both companies emphasized a shared commitment to product excellence, customer service, and supporting the creative community.
John Bowen, Ethan Jacks, and Courtney Spencer, Managing Partners of MediaBridge, added, “We have admired Apogee’s legendary efforts in digital audio going all the way back to their analog/digital conversion-quality refinements for early digital multitrack recorders. Today, Apogee’s products continue to set the quality standard across many categories and have been widely embraced by leading producers and mixers. Rockforce’s acquisition of Manley Labs and now Apogee demonstrates Dirk’s passion to break new ground in the creation of hardware and software tools.”
About Apogee Electronics
Apogee Electronics is a Santa Monica based manufacturer of award-winning professional and prosumer audio recording equipment. Since 1985, Apogee has pioneered industry-defining technologies including AD/DA conversion, audio interfaces, and DSP plugins used by world-class artists, producers, and engineers. Apogee products have earned 19 TEC Awards, multiple Editor Choice Awards from Sound on Sound, the 2025 RockoN Immersive Award for the Symphony Studio, and more than 15 other prestigious awards recognizing the company’s leadership in innovation and sound quality.
About Rockforce Tech Holding Inc. / Manley Labs
Rockforce Tech Holding Inc., led by audio industry executive Dirk Ulrich, is the parent company of Manley Labs, a manufacturer of high-end analog hardware including microphones, preamps, compressors, and mastering gear. The company’s mission is to support and expand iconic audio brands with strong engineering DNA and global creative relevance.
About MediaBridge Capital Advisors LLC
MediaBridge Capital Advisors, LLC www.mediabridgecap.com is a Global Investment Bank providing support for mergers and acquisitions, as well as capital fundraising services to companies within all aspects of the media technology sector. The MediaBridge team, led by industry veterans John Bowen, Ethan Jacks, and Courtney Spencer, has advised on more than 50 transactions in the media sector worldwide, with blue chip clients across the video, audio, broadcast, cinema, professional A/V, and digital media markets.