Sandbar, founded by former Meta engineers Mina Fahmi and Kirak Hong, has closed a $23 million Series A round. The investment, led by Adjacent and Kindred Ventures, will fuel the startup's push to ship its Stream smart ring this summer and expand its software team.

The device distinguishes itself in a crowded wearables market by focusing solely on note-taking, bypassing the health metrics tracked by competitors like Oura. A touch-sensitive panel activates a proximity-tuned microphone; users lift their hand to their face to record. The ring pairs with a phone app for voice commands, media control, and conversation with an AI assistant.

"The response was warmer than we expected," Fahmi said, noting the first pre-order batch sold out rapidly. Early adopters reportedly use the ring dozens of times daily for tasks ranging from meal planning to drafting presentations.

Sandbar's immediate roadmap involves refining its app and reducing AI response latency. A web platform is in development. The longer-term vision involves moving beyond transcription toward what Fahmi calls "iterative tasks"—multi-turn conversations where the AI helps edit, clarify, and act on notes.

Investor Nico Wittenborn of Adjacent, who previously backed voice-summary service Blinkist, argues the ring's form factor is key. "Lifting your hand signals intent for a private note," he said, contrasting it with devices that might passively record surroundings. He believes the design avoids the niche "tech bro" aesthetic of some hardware, aiming for broader appeal.

With 15 employees hailing from Amazon, Google, and Apple, Sandbar plans to double its software and machine learning teams. The company has now raised $36 million total, including a 2025 round from True Ventures. It enters a growing niche where competitors like Plaud target meetings, and Pebble aims for a budget-conscious ring.

Source: TechCrunch