TechCrunch Startup News Meta acquires AI device startup Limitless; and Is it time to ‘refound’ your startup?
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Dec 8, 2025 Meta's acquisition of Limitless highlights a shift towards personal superintelligence, as they discontinue hardware sales. The discussion reveals insights on the evolving landscape of AI and hardware funding. There's also a deep dive into the concept of 'refounding' startups, emphasizing the relevance of AI integration in refreshing company visions. Notably, Airtable treats its AI efforts as a rebirth, while Handshake pushes to rejuvenate startup culture and pace in the workplace.
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Big Tech Absorbs Niche AI Hardware
- Limitless was acquired by Meta and will stop selling hardware while supporting existing users for a year.
- Meta will integrate the team into Reality Labs to accelerate AI-enabled wearables work.
Startup Pivot To An AI Pendant
- Limitless pivoted from Rewind to selling a $99 AI pendant that records conversations and desktop activity.
- The wearable could clip on like a mic or be worn as a necklace and faced mixed reception alongside similar devices.
Competition Squeezes Small Hardware Players
- Increased competition from big players made it hard for smaller hardware startups to compete.
- Limitless offered data export/deletion and removed subscription fees while winding down other features.