Nirva Secures $33M to Launch AI-Powered Pendant That Listens Exclusively to You

Image: Image Credits:Nirva · Source

Nirva, founded by ex-Meta Reality Labs staff, raised $33M to develop a fashion-forward ambient AI pendant that passively listens only to its wearer, offering personal insights without recording others.

The ambient AI sector is expanding, with several companies exploring devices that unobtrusively support users through AI. One notable newcomer is Nirva, a startup established in 2025 by former Meta Reality Labs employees Wei Lyu and Jason Chen alongside fashion entrepreneur Hanying Hu. This month, Nirva announced a $25 million pre-Series A funding round, bringing its total capital raised this year to $33 million from investors including Lightspeed and South Park Commons.

Nirva’s debut product is a lightweight, jewelry-like pendant—also wearable as a bracelet—designed for continuous wear with a battery life lasting up to three days. Priced at $249 and offered in multiple finishes, the device emphasizes discreetness and style alongside its technical capabilities.

Unlike conventional voice recorders or meeting transcription tools, Nirva’s pendant constantly and passively listens only to its wearer’s speech. The device achieves this selective auditory focus by initially recording brief voice samples during user onboarding to build a personalized voice model. It then filters out ambient conversations or voices of others nearby, ensuring privacy by not storing audio data or transcripts post-processing.

The pendant’s AI analyzes vocal tone, pitch, volume, and speech speed to infer emotional states and communication patterns. Users access these insights through a companion app, which compiles observations about their personality traits, social interactions, emotional cues, and daily behaviors. The app offers reminders and suggestions to help users enhance self-understanding, self-compassion, and interpersonal engagement.

CEO Wei Lyu highlighted that Nirva aims to support personal growth and improved relationships rather than merely serve as a productivity tool. For instance, the app might prompt the user to acknowledge social interactions they overlooked, fostering better connections.

The company plans to begin accepting pre-orders in November with shipments targeted for year-end. Nirva enters a competitive market where other startups, including Taya and Bee, are developing smart jewelry and companion AI devices. Still, Nirva’s focus on exclusive listening and privacy-setting distinguishes it within the emerging ambient AI wearable landscape.