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San Francisco-based Augmental develops the MouthPad, a custom-fit, Bluetooth-enabled smart retainer that functions as a hands-free trackpad controlled entirely by tongue and head gestures. The assistive technology device allows users with neurological conditions or limited hand dexterity to navigate digital screens on computers, smartphones, and tablets without requiring any additional software installation. Operating with an estimated headcount of under 50 employees, the early-stage hardware and software startup provides a discreet digital interface that supports over 5 hours of continuous daily battery life. Originating as an academic spin-off from the MIT Media Lab, the company is currently backed by lead seed investor Baukunst and has received industry recognition including a 2024 CES Innovation Award and a 2023 Cannes Lions Innovation Grand Prix. Augmental was officially founded in 2021 by company co-founders Tomas Vega and Corten Singer.
Augmental has raised $5.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Augmental has raised $5.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Augmental has raised $5.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $4.0M Series U in June 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2024 | $4M Series U | — | 10100, Alaya Capital, Carao Ventures, Diego Berdakin | Announced |
| Aug 1, 2021 | $1M Seed | — | Berkeley SkyDeck Fund, Costanoa Ventures, E14 Fund, Eclipse Ventures, Liquid 2 Ventures, Pillar VC, The House Fund, Virta Ventures, Wilbur Ellis [cavallo] | Announced |
Augmental has raised $5.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Augmental's investors include 10100, Alaya Capital, Carao Ventures, Diego Berdakin, Berkeley SkyDeck Fund, Costanoa Ventures, E14 Fund, Eclipse Ventures, Liquid 2 Ventures, Pillar VC, The House Fund, Virta Ventures.
Augmental is a San Francisco-based healthtech startup developing assistive technology that integrates with the human body for hands-free digital interaction, primarily targeting users with movement impairments.[1][2][7] Their flagship product, the MouthPad, is a smart mouthwear device worn on the roof of the mouth that translates subtle head and tongue gestures into cursor control, clicks, and potentially silent speech, enabling control of phones, computers, and tablets across MacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android.[1][2][5][7] It solves accessibility barriers for people with disabilities by providing discreet, continuous use—up to 8+ hours daily—while offering potential for broader applications like AR/VR and voice interfaces; the company has about 20 beta users, with devices priced around $1,000 and U.S. availability targeted for 2024.[5][7] Augmental has raised $3.5M in funding and maintains a small team of 1-10 employees, showing early traction through user testimonials like beta user Keely using it for schoolwork.[2][5][6]
Founded in 2019 by Tomás Vega and Corten Singer, Augmental emerged from a focus on body-integrated tech to enable hands-free access to information and health monitoring, particularly when hand use is impossible.[2] The idea crystallized around creating intraoral devices like the MouthPad to empower users with disabilities, building on advancements in 3D printing, electronics encapsulation, and gesture recognition.[1][7] Early pivotal moments include beta testing with 20 users by early 2024, where real-world adoption—such as daily school use—validated the tech, alongside CES 2024 demos showcasing head tracking and silent speech prototypes.[5] Backed by investors like Fen Ventures, the company has evolved from concept to a waitlist-driven product launch.[2][7]
Augmental rides the accessibility tech wave amid rising demand for inclusive computing, fueled by AR/VR growth, voice interfaces, and AI-driven health monitoring—trends amplified post-2020 remote work and disability advocacy.[1][2][5] Timing aligns with maturing intraoral sensors and 3D printing, enabling sub-millimeter gesture detection when traditional inputs fail; market forces like aging populations (1B+ with disabilities globally) and hands-free mandates in AR (e.g., Apple Vision Pro) favor it.[5][7] The company influences the ecosystem by pioneering "silent speech" and body-integrated HCI, challenging giants like Microsoft/Apple while inspiring healthtech for chronic care, potentially expanding to general consumers as voice/AR mainstreams.[1][5]
Augmental's MouthPad positions it as a leader in hands-free accessibility, with U.S. rollout underway and global plans next; expect refinements in silent speech, bone conduction, and pricing to drive adoption beyond beta.[5][7] Trends like AI-enhanced gestures and AR ubiquity will shape its path, potentially scaling via partnerships (e.g., with Meta/Apple ecosystems) or health platforms for chronic disease management.[2][3][5] Influence may evolve from niche assistive tool to mainstream HCI enabler, unlocking creativity for millions—proving that true innovation starts at the tip of the tongue, redefining human-computer bonds from the body's core.[1][7]
