AI + Sleep + Aromatherapy: This Startup Completes $6.5M Seed Round
Recently, US AI sleep technology company Kimba completed a $6.5 million seed round, led by venture capital firm Selva Ventures. The company stated it plans to conduct a Series A round in 2027.
Kimba combines AI technology with aromatherapy: AI analyzes biometric data, while aromatherapy improves sleep health. Its debut product is a small, wearable-free device (pictured below) weighing only 0.6 kg (equivalent to a 600ml water bottle), with three built-in fragrance capsules.
Kimba's first batch of products is expected to ship in 2027 and is currently available for pre-order. The product has no standalone "unit price" and is sold via subscription.
The subscription package costs $299 (approximately RMB 2000) and includes one device, app access, and a six-month personalized fragrance delivery membership. After that, if users need to replace fragrance capsules, the subscription price is $299 for a six-month supply, costing new users approximately $600 per year (about RMB 4000). Kimba aims to reach 10,000 subscribers within the first year.
The device can connect to wearables such as Apple Watch, Oura Ring, and WHOOP to track data like heart rate variability, sleep activity, and breathing patterns. An adaptive AI system then determines when, with which scent, and at what concentration to release fragrance, continuously adjusting throughout the night to optimize sleep recovery, sleep continuity, and sleep depth.
Currently, Kimba has developed 12 water-based plant extract fragrance formulas, but only seven scent options are available at launch, packaged in exclusive fragrance capsules that need replacement every three months. Before a capsule change, Kimba users receive system-updated fragrance recommendations along with reasons.
Above: Some of the fragrance types currently offered by Kimba
The company reports that in a clinical study conducted in 2025 and 2026 with 50 participants:
- 86% of participants experienced improved sleep quality
- Nighttime sleep interruptions reduced by 24%
- REM sleep increased by 32%
- Cognitive performance improved by 21%.
Kimba's story began in 2014. At that time, co-founder and CEO Ben Fuxbruner, suffering from PTSD and insomnia, decided to research sleep technology. Together with classmate Gabi Beck, they started by studying sleep and olfaction, and founded the company. Gabi, a former special forces commander and engineer, now serves as Kimba's CTO.
Above, left to right: Ben Fuxbruner and Gabi Beck
Kimba's product development took 10 years, during which about eight prototypes were made. Beyond the underlying technology, Ben and Gabi continuously fine-tuned the device's appearance, size, weight, noise, and more.
Above: How the Kimba device and AI system work
Ben Fuxbruner said: "Long term, we see Kimba as much more than a sleep company and believe scent can become a powerful interface for improving many aspects of health and well-being."
Selva Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on health and wellness. Its first fund was approximately $10 million, and it launched fund II at $34 million in 2023. The firm's portfolio includes women's nutritional supplement brand Perelel, longevity skincare brand OneSkin, and hair care brand Crown Affair, among others.
| Sources: axios, cnet, beautyindependent, calcalistech
| Image source: Kimba official website