Sandbar
Category: AI Agents
Sandbar builds the Stream Ring, an AI-powered smart ring for private voice note-taking, AI assistant conversations, and media control, designed as a wearable interface for capturing and organizing thoughts. Sandbar was founded in 2023. The company is led by Mina Fahmi. Based in New York City, United States. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: $36M. Latest round: Series A. Key investors include Adjacent, Kindred Ventures, True Ventures, Upfront Ventures, Betaworks.
- Founded
- 2023
- Headquarters
- New York City, United States
- Team size
- 11-50
- Total funding
- $36M
Value proposition
The lowest-friction interface to thought — a wearable ring that lets users capture, organize, and act on ideas privately via whisper-level voice input, with AI that responds in the user's own voice, all without needing to look at a screen.
Products and solutions
Stream Ring — AI-powered smart ring with microphone, touchpad, and haptic feedback for voice note-taking, AI assistant conversations, media control (play/pause/skip/volume). Companion iOS app with AI chatbot, note organization, timeline view, and Inner Voice feature (AI responds in user's own synthesized voice via ElevenLabs). Free tier and Pro subscription ($10/month) for unlimited notes/chats. Preorder pricing: $249 (silver), $299 (gold). New features added: Reminders & timers with in-ring haptics, Search (up-to-date news/weather), Web desktop interface for notes export. Shipping to first customers Summer 2026.
Unique value
Unlike health-tracking smart rings (Oura) or pendants/clip-on devices (Plaud, Friend, Taya), Stream is purpose-built for private, hands-free thought capture with a discreet ring form factor, a microphone tuned for proximity (requires raising hand to face — signaling privacy), and an AI assistant that mimics the user's own voice for a natural inner-dialogue experience.
Target customer
Knowledge workers, creatives, and productivity-focused individuals who want to capture thoughts, ideas, and notes hands-free without pulling out a phone — particularly those who commute, walk, or multitask frequently.
Industries served
Consumer Wearables, AI Productivity, Personal Knowledge Management
Technology advantage
Deep expertise in neural interfaces and human-computer interaction from CTRL-Labs (acquired by Meta) and Meta wearables teams. Multi-model AI architecture using best-fit LLMs per task. On-device + smartphone + cloud processing split. ElevenLabs voice synthesis integration. Team with experience from Amazon, Fitbit, Google, Apple, and Humane.
How they differentiate
1) Ring form factor is more discreet and socially acceptable than pendants or clip-ons; 2) Microphone is off by default and tuned for close proximity (hand-to-face) — signaling private use, not ambient recording; 3) Inner Voice feature uses ElevenLabs to synthesize the user's own voice for AI responses; 4) Focus on "self-extension" (augmenting human thought) rather than AI replacing human cognition; 5) Privacy-first: encryption at rest and in transit, no audio saved (transcription only), data export to apps like Notion.
Main competitors
Plaud (AI note-taking card device), Pebble (budget AI smart ring), Taya (premium AI jewelry/pendant), Omi (AI pendant), Friend (AI companion pendant)
Key partnerships
ElevenLabs (voice synthesis for Inner Voice feature), Plans to support data exports to Notion and other apps
Major milestones
2023: Company founded by Mina Fahmi and Kirak Hong, Early 2024: $3M pre-seed from Upfront Ventures and Betaworks, Early 2025: $10M seed led by True Ventures, Nov 2025: Stream Ring announced, emerges from stealth, first pre-order batch sells out, Mar 2026: $23M Series A led by Adjacent and Kindred Ventures ($36M total), Summer 2026: Stream Ring begins shipping to first customers; Batches 1 & 2 sold out, Batch 3 available for preorder
Growth metrics
15 employees; Batches 1 & 2 sold out (Batch 3 available for preorder); Stream shipping to first customers Summer 2026; some users use the ring 50+ times daily; team from Amazon, Fitbit, Equinox, Google, Apple, Humane; new features added: Reminders, Search, Web desktop interface
Market positioning
Premium AI wearable positioned between productivity tools and AI assistants. Competes in the emerging "AI note-taking hardware" category alongside Plaud (card device), Omi (pendant), Pebble (budget $75 ring), Taya (jewelry approach), and Friend (companion pendant). Differentiated by privacy-first design and ring form factor.
Geographic focus
United States (primary), with global ambitions
About Mina Fahmi
Ex-Meta Product Manager (neural interfaces); Ex-CTRL-Labs Product Manager (acquired by Meta); Ex-Magic Leap Mechanical Engineering Intern; Ex-Kernel Neural Engineering Intern; Ex-Alsop Louie Partners Associate; MIT BS Mechanical Engineering w/ Computer Science, Neuroscience & Design (5.0/5.0 GPA)
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Official website: https://sandbar.com
