In our hyper-connected, always-on world, stress has become an unwelcome constant for many. We track our steps, our sleep, our heart rates – but what about the silent storm brewing within our own minds? Antonio Forenza, a former head of R&D at Rakuten Symphony, found himself grappling with this very question a few years ago. Inspired by the transformative effect his Apple Watch had on his physical health, he wondered why there wasn’t a similar tool to quantify and manage his mental well-being.
"I wanted to lose 40 pounds of stress, and realized there’s no wearable for that today," Forenza shared with TechCrunch, articulating a sentiment many of us can relate to. This realization wasn’t just a personal quest; it was the spark that ignited a groundbreaking innovation.
From Telecom Exec to Brainwave Pioneer: The Genesis of Awear
Forenza’s engineering background, honed in the fast-paced telecommunications sector, provided him with the perfect toolkit to tackle this unmet need. He decided to build the solution himself, drawing inspiration from a technology that’s over a century old: the electroencephalogram (EEG). While EEG is a well-established medical tool used to diagnose conditions like epilepsy and sleep disorders, Forenza saw its potential beyond the clinic.
"Our brain is phenomenal at self-adjusting and makes us believe we are not stressed," Forenza explained. "It’s fine to be in ‘fight or flight’ every once in a while. It’s part of our nature. But if you fall into the trap of constant ‘fight or flight,’ then that leads to chronic stress, depression, anxiety."
This is where EEG’s unique capability comes into play. It can detect and measure the electrical activity in our brains, specifically focusing on high-frequency brainwaves known as beta waves. When these rapid beta waves become a persistent feature of our brain activity, they signal a state of prolonged stress, which can manifest as exhaustion, insomnia, and a general decline in mental well-being.
Harnessing Ancient Technology with Modern AI
Forenza assembled a crack team of data scientists and biomedical engineers to bring his vision to life. Together, they developed Awear, a discreet device designed to be worn comfortably behind the ear. Its primary function: continuous brainwave monitoring. This sophisticated technology captures subtle shifts in brain activity, providing a window into the wearer’s psychological state.
The data collected by Awear is then transmitted to a companion app. This is where the magic of AI truly shines. The app doesn’t just present raw brainwave data; it translates it into understandable insights about the wearer’s mood. More importantly, it offers personalized, AI-powered coaching advice, guiding users on how to manage stress effectively and build greater emotional resilience.
Proactive Stress Management: The Awear Advantage
What sets Awear apart is its proactive approach. Instead of reacting to stress after it has taken its toll, Awear aims to help users intercept excessive stress signals before they lead to negative health consequences. This preventative mindset is a significant shift in the personal wellness landscape, moving beyond simple symptom tracking to address the root cause of mental strain.
From Battlefield to the Consumer Market: Awear’s Journey
Awear has already made waves in the startup and tech community. It was a finalist in the prestigious Startup Battlefield 200 competition at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, where it clinched the win in the health category’s pitch competition. This recognition highlights the potential and innovation embedded in Awear’s approach.
While the device is currently being explored by Stanford University’s psychiatry department for its potential in detecting confusion and disorientation in elderly patients post-surgery, Forenza’s primary objective is to bring Awear directly to consumers. This consumer-centric strategy mirrors the success of other popular wearables like the Oura ring, focusing on empowering individuals to take control of their health.
Fueling Growth: Funding and Future Plans
The company has already secured crucial early-stage funding. An impressive pre-seed round was led by prominent investors including Hustle Fund, Niremia Collective, Techstars, and The Pitch Fund. Buoyed by this success, Awear is gearing up to raise a significant $5 million seed round in early 2026.
For those eager to experience Awear firsthand, the device is currently available through an early-access program. This exclusive opportunity is open to early adopters – a group that notably includes many startup founders, a demographic known for its high-stress environments. For a one-time payment of $195, early users receive the Awear device along with a complimentary lifetime subscription to the app.
Looking ahead, Awear plans to leverage the power of crowdfunding. Following in the footsteps of successful wearable companies like Peloton and Oura, the company intends to launch a Kickstarter campaign after securing its seed funding. This strategy is a tried-and-true method for generating visibility, building a community of early advocates, and acquiring customers.
"It is a path that worked for many other wearables," Forenza commented. "It gives you a lot of visibility, and it’s a good way to acquire customers."
The Future of Wellness: A Deeper Understanding of Ourselves
Awear represents a significant leap forward in the quest for holistic well-being. By tapping into the power of EEG and AI, it offers a more profound understanding of our internal states, empowering us to proactively manage stress and cultivate greater mental resilience. As our lives become increasingly complex, tools like Awear are not just desirable; they are becoming essential for navigating the modern world with greater balance and peace of mind. This is more than just a gadget; it’s a glimpse into the future of personal health, where our minds are as meticulously cared for as our bodies.
This innovation sits at the intersection of several exciting fields: cutting-edge AI that personalizes coaching, robust Development & Architecture required to build reliable hardware and software, smart Business strategy for market penetration, fascinating Science behind neurobiology, a positive Culture of prioritizing mental health, the elegant logic of vibe coding in understanding user experience, sophisticated Data Science for interpreting brainwave patterns, and efficient Databases to store and process this sensitive information.