Era raises $11 million to build software layer for AI devices

Era, a New York-based startup, is building a software platform for AI-powered devices. Recently, the company hosted a showcase in New York where artists demonstrated experimental gadgets created using its developer kit.

These prototypes included a device that shares facts about France, a tool that tracks stock performance, and a gadget that reports air quality. While these products remain early-stage, they highlight the flexibility of Era’s platform.

Instead of manufacturing devices, Era focuses on providing the software layer. This allows hardware makers to integrate AI capabilities into products such as headphones, wearables, or home devices.

Funding and investors

Era has raised a total of $11 million to date. This includes a $9 million seed round led by Abstract Ventures and BoxGroup. Collaborative Fund and Mozilla Ventures also participated in the round.

Earlier, the company secured $2 million in pre-seed funding from Topology Ventures and Betaworks.

The investor list also includes several angel investors. These include Caterina Fake, Ken Kocienda, Tony Wang, Daniel Kuntz, Mina Fahmi, ShaoBo Z, and Kelin Zhang.

Founding team and background

Era was founded in 2024 by CEO Liz Dorman, CTO Alex Ollman, and CPO Megan Gole.

Dorman previously worked on AI orchestration at Humane and later joined HP. Meanwhile, Ollman focused on enterprise AI frameworks at HP. Gole, on the other hand, worked at Sutter Hill Ventures on the io project before joining Era.

Platform capabilities and use cases

Era’s platform supports more than 130 large language models from over 14 providers. As a result, developers can build AI-powered devices across multiple form factors, including glasses, jewelry, and speakers.

The system is designed to handle multimodal inputs and manage tasks such as model routing and connectivity. According to investors, this orchestration capability helps differentiate the platform.

In addition, the company aims to support large-scale deployment. The platform can scale across millions of devices and also allows brands to experiment with custom AI hardware experiences.

Shifting beyond the app model

Era’s approach reflects a broader shift in how users interact with technology. The company believes that AI models can reduce dependence on traditional app-based interfaces.

Instead, devices could rely on an intelligence layer that processes inputs and delivers responses directly. This could enable more flexible and personalized user experiences.

Industry challenges and outlook

Despite growing interest, AI hardware remains an uncertain market. Several startups have struggled to establish long-term success. For instance, Humane was acquired by HP, while Rabbit has seen limited activity in recent months.

At the same time, some companies like Plaud have found niche adoption. Others, including Sandbar and Taya, are still in early stages.

Against this backdrop, Era is positioning itself as an enabling layer rather than a device maker. The company expects that as more use cases emerge, demand for such platforms could increase.