Embr Labs
Boston, US · Founded 2014 · Delaware corporation · 3 known investors
Embr Labs makes the Embr Wave, a wrist-worn thermal wearable that delivers on-demand cooling and warming sensations.
Also known as Embr Wave
Founders & leadership
Embr Labs was founded in 2014 by Samuel Shames, David Cohen-Tanugi, Matthew J. Smith, and Michael Gibson.
Board
Investors · 3
Reported raises · per SEC filings
Form D private placements$14.1M disclosed across 4 rounds · 2015–2024
▶$3MraisedOct 2024 · 2 investors · Other TechnologyRule 506(b)
- William SchroederDirector
- Sheldon ElmanDirector
- Samuel ShamesExecutive Officer
- Elizabeth GazdaExecutive Officer, Director
- David KimDirector
- Offering amount
- $6M
- Amount sold
- $3M
- First sale
- Oct 2024
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$6MraisedOct 2021 · 11 investors · Other TechnologyRule 506(b)
- Natalie Lorenz-AndersonDirector
- David KimDirector
- Matthew J. SmithExecutive Officer, Director
- Alex WaldronDirector
- Bruce E. ClarkeDirector
- Samuel ShamesExecutive Officer
- Elizabeth GazdaExecutive Officer, Director
- Offering amount
- $23M
- Amount sold
- $6M
- First sale
- Sep 2021
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$5.1MraisedSep 2019 · 11 investors · Other TechnologyRule 506(b)
- David Cohen-TanugiExecutive Officer
- David KimDirector
- Bruce E. ClarkeDirector
- Elizabeth GazdaExecutive Officer, Director
- Samuel ShamesExecutive Officer
- Matthew J. SmithExecutive Officer, Director
- Offering amount
- $6M
- Amount sold
- $5.1M
- First sale
- Sep 2019
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
▶$100KraisedJan 2015 · 1 investors · Other TechnologyRule 506(b)
- David Cohen-TanugiExecutive Officer, Director
- Matthew J. SmithExecutive Officer, Director
- Samuel ShamesExecutive Officer, Director
- Michael GibsonExecutive Officer, Director
- Offering amount
- $1.5M
- Amount sold
- $100K
- First sale
- Jan 2015
- Incorporated
- Corporation, Delaware, 2014
- Federal exemptions
- 06b
Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Embr Labs is a Boston-based consumer wearables company that develops the Embr Wave, a wristband it describes as a personal thermostat. The device uses a thermoelectric heat pump to move heat toward or away from the skin, delivering cool or warm sensations in intermittent waves to the inner wrist, an area the company describes as densely populated with temperature-sensitive nerve endings. The company positions the resulting thermal stimulus as triggering a mind-body comfort response rather than changing core body temperature.
The current product, Embr Wave 2, is marketed for sleep quality, hot flash and night sweat relief, chills, and stress reduction. It is paired with a companion mobile app offering more than 30 configurable thermal sessions, adjustable session lengths and intensity levels, button-function customization, one-time and recurring scheduling, and usage tracking. Hardware attributes cited by the company include a 9+ hour battery life depending on usage, splash and sweat resistance (not waterproof), an adjustable band with a magnetic clasp fitting wrists of roughly 5.3-9.3 inches, and availability in two colors.
Business model
Direct-to-consumer sale of a hardware wearable device, supported by a free companion smartphone application.
Revenue from sales of the Embr Wave 2 wristband, listed at $239 with free U.S. shipping (regular price $299), with a try-before-you-buy offer.
Traction
The company states the product has been used by more than 200,000 customers.
Latest developments
The company's current flagship offering is the Embr Wave 2 wristband with its companion app providing 30+ thermal session modes.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography
Market position
Consumer thermal-wearable niche; the company cites press describing the Wave as the only comparable device currently available.
The company describes the Embr Wave as the world's first personal thermostat and cites clinical research reporting over 2x better control over hot flashes, up to 28% fewer daytime and nighttime hot flashes, faster sleep onset and longer sleep duration, and participants feeling an average of 5°F cooler or warmer after three minutes of use.
Technology
A wrist-worn thermoelectric heat pump generates cooling or warming waves at the inner wrist to stimulate thermoreceptors. Delivery in intermittent waves is intended to avoid sensory adaptation that occurs with constant temperature. A connected app manages session type, duration, intensity, scheduling, and usage tracking.
Go-to-market
Online direct sales through the company's own storefront, supported by customer reviews, press quotes, a trial offer, and clinical study claims.
Consumers seeking non-invasive relief from hot flashes, night sweats, chills, disrupted sleep, and stress, as well as people generally seeking personal temperature comfort.
Geography
Headquartered in Boston, United States, with online sales including free U.S. shipping.
Compiled by commissioned research from 1 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Competitors · 1
by search overlap
Companies competing with Embr Labs for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
Non-dilutive funding · 4 SBIR/STTR awards
Federal grants — no equity taken| Agency | Phase | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Air ForceAir Force | Phase II | 2022 | $750K |
| U.S. Air ForceAir Force | Phase I | 2021 | $49.9K |
| National Science Foundation | Phase IISTTR | 2018 | $750K |
| National Science Foundation | Phase ISTTR | 2016 | $224.3K |
Source: SBIR.gov award data (U.S. Small Business Administration). SBIR/STTR awards are competitive federal R&D grants and contracts — non-dilutive capital alongside any venture rounds above.
Legal entities · 1
corporate structureIn the news
▸Research sources · 1
primary sources listed
- Embr Labsembrlabs.com · web
1 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Embr Labs do?
- Embr Labs makes the Embr Wave, a wrist-worn thermal wearable that delivers on-demand cooling and warming sensations.
- Who founded Embr Labs?
- Embr Labs was founded by Samuel Shames, David Cohen-Tanugi, Matthew J. Smith, Michael Gibson in 2014.
- Who are Embr Labs's investors?
- Embr Labs's investors include Joyance Partners, Safar Partners, Social Starts.
- How much funding has Embr Labs raised?
- Embr Labs has disclosed $14.1M raised across 4 rounds.
- Where is Embr Labs headquartered?
- Embr Labs is headquartered in Boston, US.