This startup built a Fitbit for your brain to combat chronic stress

Antonio Forenza, formerly the head of research and development at Rakuten Symphony, found himself on a personal quest to better handle his stress levels. After successfully using an Apple Watch to lose 40 pounds by tracking his physical activity, he wondered if a similar device existed for monitoring stress. "I wanted to lose 40 pounds of stress and realized there’s no wearable for that today," he shared with TechCrunch. This sparked an idea in Forenza's mind, highlighting a significant gap in the consumer health market. Utilizing his engineering expertise, he set out to create a device that employs electroencephalography (EEG)—a technology that has been around for over a century. EEG measures electrical activity in the brain and is often used in clinical settings to diagnose conditions like epilepsy and sleep disorders. However, it can also identify psychological stress by detecting beta waves, which, when elevated for prolonged periods, can contribute to issues such as exhaustion and anxiety. In collaboration with data scientists and biomedical engineers, Forenza developed Awear, a compact device designed to be worn behind the ear for real-time brainwave monitoring. This device connects to an app that not only tracks mood but also offers AI-driven coaching tips to help users manage stress and enhance emotional resilience. "Our brain is exceptional at self-adjusting and convinces us that we are not stressed," Forenza explained. He cautioned that while occasional stress responses are natural, chronic stress can lead to serious mental health issues. Awear recently gained recognition as a finalist in the Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, where it triumphed in the health category pitch competition. Currently, Stanford University's psychiatry department is testing the device to assess post-surgical confusion and disorientation in elderly patients. However, Forenza's main objective is to market Awear directly to consumers, akin to other popular wearables like the Oura ring. Earlier this year, the startup successfully completed a pre-seed funding round, attracting investments from Hustle Fund, Niremia Collective, Techstars, and The Pitch Fund. The company anticipates raising a $5 million seed round in early 2026. For the time being, Awear is exclusively available through an early-access program priced at $195, which includes a lifetime subscription to the accompanying app. After securing additional funding, the company plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign, following a successful path similar to that of other wearable technology brands. "This approach has proven effective for many wearables, providing visibility and a solid customer acquisition strategy," Forenza concluded.