Era raises $11M to build software platform for AI gadgets
Original: Era raises $11M to build a software platform for AI gadgets
Why This Matters
Addresses growing demand for AI hardware infrastructure as the market moves beyond smartphones.
Era Computer raised $11 million in funding to develop a software platform enabling hardware makers to create AI-powered devices. The startup provides over 130 LLMs from 14 providers for various form factors like glasses, jewelry, and home speakers.
Era Computer secured $11 million in total funding, including a $9 million seed round led by Abstract Ventures and BoxGroup, with participation from Collaborative Fund and Mozilla Ventures. The company previously raised $2 million in pre-seed funding. Founded by CEO Liz Dorman, CTO Alex Ollman, and CPO Megan Gole, Era builds software infrastructure for AI gadgets rather than creating devices itself. The platform offers over 130 LLMs from 14+ providers and handles tasks like voice creation and device intelligence. Recent developer kit demonstrations showed experimental devices including a French souvenir that tells facts, a stock-monitoring device, and an air quality gadget. Dorman, formerly at Humane and HP, said the platform could replace traditional app layers in next-generation devices.