Era raises $11M to build a transformative software platform for AI gadgets

Era, a startup founded by former Humane and HP engineers, has raised $11 million to build a software platform that powers AI gadgets. The company aims to replace traditional app models with an intelligence layer for hardware makers. This funding includes a $9 million seed round led by Abstract Ventures and BoxGroup, with participation from Collaborative Fund and Mozilla Ventures. An additional $2 million pre-seed came from Topology Ventures and Betaworks.

Era raises $11M to build a software platform for AI gadgets

The platform provides over 130 large language models (LLMs) from more than 14 providers. Hardware makers can use these models to create AI agents for devices like glasses, jewelry, and home speakers. Era does not manufacture devices itself. Instead, it offers a software layer that handles tasks such as customized voice creation or adding intelligence to existing products like headphones.

In April, Era held a gathering in New York for artists who received its developer kit. Participants demonstrated mini gadgets built on the platform. Examples included a souvenir that shares facts about France, a phone-like device that analyzes stock portfolios, and a gadget that reports air quality. These experimental devices share a common thread: Era’s orchestration system.

The startup’s technology dynamically routes tasks across multiple AI models. It also manages real-world constraints like connectivity. Casey Caruso, founder and managing partner at Topology Ventures, stated that this dynamic routing sets Era apart from competitors.

Founding team and background

Era was founded in 2023 by CEO Liz Dorman, CTO Alex Ollman, and CPO Megan Gole. Dorman previously worked at Humane on AI orchestration. She transitioned to HP after Humane’s acquisition. Ollman developed agentic frameworks for enterprises at HP. Gole worked on the Jony Ive and Sam Altman io project at Sutter Hill Ventures before joining Era.

Individual angel investors include Flickr co-founder Caterina Fake, iPhone keyboard creator Ken Kocienda, OAS founder Tony Wang, and others. This diverse investor base reflects confidence in Era’s approach.

Replacing the app model with AI agents

Dorman explained that AI models can replace the traditional app layer. She said, “What we’re building is the intelligence layer to allow anyone to create these types of intelligent objects, intelligent devices.” She emphasized that the future of tech should not be dictated by a few companies in San Francisco. Instead, Era wants to give users choice over their devices.

The platform supports multimodal inputs and inference. This allows devices to process voice, images, and sensor data simultaneously. Era believes that as more form factors emerge, hardware makers will need a unified software layer.

Targeting a Cambrian explosion of devices

Dorman predicted a “Cambrian explosion” of AI gadgets. She stated that technology is now commoditized, enabling diverse form factors beyond glasses, rings, or bracelets. Era’s platform is designed to scale across millions of devices. It can also cater to custom experiments for brands targeting specific user groups.

The startup plans to make its platform available to the open-source and maker community. This approach mirrors the artist showcase in New York, demonstrating how the platform can power different kinds of devices.

Challenges in the AI hardware market

The AI hardware space has seen mixed results. Humane was sold to HP after its AI pin failed to gain traction. Rabbit has remained quiet since its launch. Plaud found success in meeting note-taking, while startups like Sandbar and Taya are still early. Era acknowledges these challenges but believes that as users adopt AI devices, some use cases will stick.

Dorman noted that Era’s platform prioritizes user privacy. Users can choose their own memory and model providers in a privacy-preserving way. This differentiates Era from centralized AI hardware solutions.

Conclusion

Era raises $11M to build a software platform for AI gadgets, positioning itself as an enabler rather than a device maker. With backing from prominent investors and a team with deep AI hardware experience, Era aims to power the next generation of intelligent objects. The platform’s dynamic routing, multimodal support, and open approach could accelerate the adoption of AI gadgets across various form factors.

FAQs

Q1: What does Era’s software platform do?
Era provides a software layer that allows hardware makers to create AI agents and orchestrations for AI devices. It handles tasks like voice creation, model routing, and connectivity management.

Q2: How much funding has Era raised?
Era has raised $11 million to date, including a $9 million seed round and a $2 million pre-seed round.

Q3: Who are Era’s founders?
Era was founded by CEO Liz Dorman, CTO Alex Ollman, and CPO Megan Gole. All have experience at companies like Humane, HP, and Sutter Hill Ventures.

Q4: What types of devices can use Era’s platform?
The platform supports various form factors, including glasses, jewelry, home speakers, headphones, and custom experimental gadgets.

Q5: How does Era handle privacy?
Era allows users to choose their own memory and model providers in a privacy-preserving way, giving them control over their data.