Zach Yadegari Raises $10 Million for Persona, Launching $179 AI Wearable
Updated
Updated · TechCrunch · Oct 8
Zach Yadegari Raises $10 Million for Persona, Launching $179 AI Wearable
2 articles · Updated · TechCrunch · Oct 8
Summary
$10 million in fresh funding will back Persona, Zach Yadegari’s new AI assistant startup, with Vine Ventures leading and Z Fellows founder Cory Levy and Collective Global joining.
Persona is pairing a cloud-based agent with a $179 wearable band due in December; the device activates by button or wrist flick rather than always-on listening.
Yadegari says the product emphasizes privacy and security, with encrypted data, user deletion controls, anti-phishing safeguards, and purchases requiring approval through external providers such as Stripe Link.
The startup is already running a free beta over iMessage, has a few thousand users, and has logged five figures in band preorders.
The launch comes months after MyFitnessPal acquired Cal AI, which Yadegari co-founded and grew past $30 million in annual revenue before he left in June to start Persona.