Mentra secures $8 million to develop open-source OS for smart glasses

Mentra, a company focused on developing an open-source operating system for smart glasses, recently raised $8 million to initiate the launch of MentraOS 2.0. This ambitious project aims to create the default software layer for a new generation of lightweight extended reality (XR) glasses. Their platform supports various hardware options and includes features such as live captioning, translation, notifications, and an AI assistant. MentraOS has already gained traction by running on hardware from Even Realities and Vuzix, as well as Mentra's own devices. The concept stemmed from co-founder Times Pierce's experience as a university student when he realized the lack of frameworks to support apps that enhance learning experiences through live captions. His proactive response to addressing this gap led to the development of a captions app for smart glasses, which laid the foundation for Mentra several years ago. Now, Pierce envisions a technological landscape where hardware makers incorporate MentraOS to provide users with real applications developed by real developers, fostering a more collaborative environment. To further their reach, Mentra is preparing to launch Mentra Live, a modular smart glasses kit aimed at enterprise and developer users, with pre-orders set at $249. This kit features essential components such as a front-facing camera, microphone, and speaker, along with full support for the MentraOS SDK. Notably, Mentra’s caption-enabled display glasses are expected to hit the market in early 2026, with pricing projected to range from $339 to $599 depending on specifications. The business model for Mentra relies heavily on its software platform, which is designed to generate revenue through subscriptions and app sales similar to the strategies used by major companies like Apple and Google. However, Mentra differentiates itself by offering a more developer-friendly approach without an overarching attempt to control the entire ecosystem. With a burgeoning community of over 4,000 developers, Mentra is poised for significant growth as it encourages innovation across the XR sector.