Sandbar’s AI Ring Raises $23M to Capture Thoughts and Streamline Daily Life
As wearable technology evolves beyond traditional health tracking, Sandbar is pioneering a fresh category: AI-powered note-taking. The startup, founded by former Meta employees, has secured $23 million in a Series A funding round to further develop its Stream ring, a device designed to seamlessly capture thoughts and integrate with AI assistants.
A New Approach to Wearable Technology
Sandbar, led by Mina Fahmi and Kirak Hong, is differentiating itself from the crowded smart ring market. Unlike rings focused on fitness metrics like Oura, the Stream ring prioritizes capturing information and enhancing productivity. The device features a microphone, activated by a touch-sensitive panel, allowing users to record notes and interact with an AI assistant through a companion mobile app. TechCrunch first reported the funding round.
How the Stream Ring Works
The Stream ring’s microphone is designed for proximity, requiring users to bring their hand near their face to record notes. This intentional design choice aims to minimize unintended recordings and encourage deliberate use. Users can also utilize the touch panel for media controls, including play, pause, and volume adjustment.
From Concept to Reality
Fahmi and Hong developed the Stream ring over two years, conducting initial tests with friends and early adopters before launching publicly last year. The response exceeded expectations, with the first batch of preorders selling out quickly, prompting a second production run. Early users reportedly use the ring over 50 times a day for tasks like planning presentations, trips, and meals.
Funding and Future Development
The $23 million Series A round was led by Adjacent and Kindred Ventures. Sandbar plans to use the funds to expand its team, particularly in software and machine learning, and to enhance its marketing efforts. The company is also focused on refining its app experience, developing a web platform, and reducing latency in its AI responses. A key goal is to enable more conversational interactions with the AI assistant, addressing follow-up questions from users.
The Team Behind Sandbar
Mina Fahmi, CEO of Sandbar, previously worked at Meta, CTRL-Labs, and Magic Leap. Kirak Hong, the company’s CTO, has experience at Google. The team currently comprises around 15 people, including engineers with backgrounds at Amazon, Apple, and Fitbit.
Shipping and Total Funding
Sandbar anticipates beginning shipments of the Stream ring this summer. Including a previous $13 million investment from True Ventures, the company’s total funding now stands at approximately $36 million.