Cal AI Co-Founder Raises $10M for Persona AI Assistant and $179 Wearable

Zach Yadegari, the 19-year-old co-founder of calorie-tracking app Cal AI, has raised $10 million for Persona, a personal AI assistant startup developing a $179 wearable band. Vine Ventures led the round, with participation from Z Fellows founder Cory Levy and Collective Global.

The funding follows MyFitnessPal’s March 2026 acquisition of Cal AI for an undisclosed amount. The app had generated more than $30 million in annual revenue in less than two years, according to MyFitnessPal. Yadegari initially stayed with the company after the acquisition but left in June to develop Persona with another co-founder whose identity has not been announced.

Persona Combines an AI Assistant With a Wearable Band

The Persona AI assistant is designed to handle everyday tasks, including ordering food, booking rides and travel, managing emails, taking notes and answering questions. The service is currently available through a free iMessage beta while the company develops its dedicated app and wearable hardware.

Unlike always-listening AI wearables, the Persona Band activates when users press a button or perform a configured wrist gesture. The device costs $179, with availability expected in December 2026.

Yadegari said the beta has attracted a few thousand users, while wearable preorders have generated revenue in the five-figure range. Both figures are company-reported and have not been independently verified.

Persona Uses Cloud AI With Privacy Controls

Persona processes AI requests in the cloud rather than running models directly on the wristband. User information is transmitted to the company’s servers, where it is stored and processed with encryption in transit and at rest.

The startup says users can delete their data and that it won’t sell personal conversations to advertisers or data brokers. It is also developing safeguards against phishing and prompt-injection attacks that can trick AI agents into unintended actions.

For purchases, Yadegari said Persona cannot access users’ credit card details directly and requires approval before completing transactions. AI agents can handle payments through external services such as Stripe Link, which provides payment capabilities without exposing card information to the assistant.

Sponsored Shopping Results Form Part of Persona’s Business Model

Although Persona says it will not sell user data, its business model includes advertising. Sponsored products may appear when users ask the assistant to research purchases, such as comparing office chairs.

Yadegari said the assistant will make recommendations based on user preferences without knowing which products are sponsored. That separation is intended to prevent advertising arrangements from influencing the agent’s recommendations, although the company has not provided independent evidence of its effectiveness.

Persona is entering a growing market for personal AI assistants and wearable devices, including products from companies such as Bee, which Amazon acquired in 2025. Its initial approach combines an iMessage-based service with optional hardware, so customers don’t have to buy a device right away.

Yadegari ultimately wants Persona to handle more tasks across services and anticipate user needs. For now, the startup is focused on its messaging beta, forthcoming app and December wearable launch.