AI Wearables Are Here To Stay; Can NeoSapien Make The Most Of This Wave?
Dhananjay Yadav has a ‘second brain’, hanging from a chain around his neck. It listens to every conversation he makes…
AI wearables are no longer a futuristic concept but a reality that is rapidly gaining traction across the globe. In India, a country with a burgeoning tech scene, the wave of AI-powered devices is being embraced with open arms. At the forefront of this wave is NeoSapien, a Bengaluru-based startup that has developed Neo 1, the first wearable AI assistant in the country. This small, lightweight device, often mistaken for a USB pen drive, is a testament to the potential of AI technology in enhancing daily life.
Dhananjay Yadav, the founder of NeoSapien, wears his "second brain" around his neck. Neo 1 listens to every conversation he makes and sends out alerts for every task he needs to do. The device's pulsating LED and compact size make it an unassuming yet powerful tool. Neo 1 follows verbal communications and generates notes, transcripts, and reminders, effectively acting as a personal assistant that can be carried with ease. The company's website describes it as creating a "superhuman" by leveling up to "Mind 2.0."
The Yadav brothers, Dhananjay and his cousin Aryan, launched NeoSapien in 2024 with the vision of capitalizing on the growing market for AI wearables in India. The country's AI wearable market is expected to expand at a staggering 31.2% annually, reaching $12 billion by 2030. This presents a significant opportunity for startups like NeoSapien to make their mark in the industry.
NeoSapien's journey gained momentum with their appearance on Shark Tank India Season 4 in 2025, following the launch of Neo 1. The startup's product caught the attention of investors and consumers alike, showcasing the potential of AI wearables in India. NeoSapien made headlines again at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 when some of its products were allegedly stolen from the booth during a security shutdown. The incident occurred just as the company was raising $2 million in a seed funding round.
The seed funding round garnered backing from venture capital fund Merak Ventures and several prominent angel investors. These included Sameer Mehta, co-founder of boAt; Awais Ahmed, co-founder of Pixxel; Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com; Namita Thapar, co-founder of Emcure Pharmaceuticals; and Aprameya Radhakrishna, former CEO of Koo. This strong support from the tech industry validated NeoSapien's potential and reinforced its position in the market.
In the year since its launch, Neo 1 has gained significant traction, with the founder reporting that the device is selling thousands of units per month. While Dhananjay Yadav declined to share exact sales figures, the steady growth indicates that NeoSapien is well-positioned to ride the global wave of wearable AI.
The success of NeoSapien is a reflection of the growing demand for AI-powered wearables in India. As the technology continues to evolve, it is likely that more startups will emerge, driving innovation and competition in the sector. NeoSapien's Neo 1 serves as a prime example of how AI can be integrated into everyday devices to enhance productivity and convenience.
The future of AI wearables in India looks bright, with NeoSapien poised to make the most of this wave. As the market expands and more consumers embrace these devices, startups like NeoSapien will play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of AI technology in the country. With continued innovation and strategic partnerships, NeoSapien has the potential to become a leader in the AI wearable industry, offering solutions that seamlessly integrate with users' lives.
