Somnee
Somnee (StimScience Inc.) is a Berkeley-based consumer neurotech company selling an AI-powered EEG sleep headband with personalized tACS neurostimulation to individual sleepers, plus enterprise customers in corporate wellness, professional sports, healthcare, and hospitality.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersBerkeley, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Somnee does
Somnee, operated by StimScience Inc., is a Berkeley-based consumer neurotechnology company that sells an AI-powered sleep headband and companion subscription service to individuals with insomnia and poor sleep quality, as well as enterprise buyers in corporate wellness, professional sports, healthcare, and hospitality. Founded in 2016 by four UC Berkeley neuroscientists and operating under former Fitbit executive Tim Rosa as CEO since March 2024, the company spent roughly eight years in research and development before commercializing its product. Distribution is exclusively direct-to-consumer through the somneesleep.com e-commerce site for U.S. residents, supplemented by an Enterprise Health division for B2B volume deals; international orders are not currently supported.
The core offering is the Somnee Smart Sleep Headband, a wearable that uses lab-grade EEG+ sensors to monitor brainwave activity and delivers personalized transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) matched to each user's sleep signals. The headband is worn for 15 minutes before bed rather than overnight and pairs with the Somnee App, which surfaces hypnograms, sleep-stage breakdowns, and personalized reports. A proprietary Somnee SmartSleep AI continuously adapts the stimulation protocol over a 21-night personalization journey, grounded in 1,500+ nights of controlled clinical sleep lab data. Supporting capabilities include DriftBack (a button-activated 10-minute mini session for midnight wake-ups), bone conduction speakers for in-session audio, and medical-grade hydrogel electrodes designed for sleep-lab-grade contact.
Somnee monetizes through a hybrid hardware-plus-required-subscription model. The Smart Sleep Bundle — headband, electrodes, charging accessories, and initial membership — sells for $489 inclusive of a disclosed tariff fee, while ongoing use requires a recurring membership at $183 per year (or $100 for six months) that covers electrode replacements, nightly EEG data processing, software updates, and content co-developed with Chief Sleep Scientist Dr. Matthew Walker. Enterprise Health deals include custom volume pricing for corporate wellness, sports teams, healthcare providers, and hospitality partners such as Equinox Hotels. Marketing relies on earned media (Forbes, CNN, Wired, GQ), clinical publications, and high-profile endorsements, with Klaviyo-powered email for post-purchase engagement and the company explicitly US-only at present.
Somnee firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Somnee
- Legal name
- StimScience Inc.
- Website
- https://somneesleep.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Somnee (StimScience Inc.) is a Berkeley-based consumer neurotech company selling an AI-powered EEG sleep headband with personalized tACS neurostimulation to individual sleepers, plus enterprise customers in corporate wellness, professional sports, healthcare, and hospitality.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Somnee industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Consumer Sleep Technology Wearables
- NAICS
- Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Neurological Monitoring (EEG, Seizure/Sleep/Neuro Wearables) (HLAHACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sleep Technology & Smart Sleep Devices Retail (Sleep Trackers, Smart Mattresses) (CRAIABAH), Sleep Diagnostics & Monitoring (PSG/Home Sleep Testing, Actigraphy) (HLAHAGAB), Sleep Tech Wearables (CRACAIAG)
Keywords
Where Somnee is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berkeley
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Somnee business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales (Smart Sleep Headband): One-time purchase of the Somnee Smart Sleep Headband bundle ($489), which includes the headband, electrodes, charging base and case, and initial membership. Required to use the Somnee service.
- Somnee Membership (Subscription): Required recurring membership for ongoing use. Covers EEG+ brainwave analysis, personalized neurostimulation adaptation, medical-grade hydrogel electrode replacements, nightly data processing (40x brain data vs trackers), sleep reports, Dr. Matt Walker content, and partnership perks. Annual: $183/yr. 6-month: $100.
- Accessories: Replacement accessories including travel case, charging base, and additional electrodes available for separate purchase.
- Enterprise/Volume Sales: Bulk orders and volume discounts for organizations including corporate wellness programs, sports teams, healthcare providers, and hospitality companies through Enterprise Health division.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Annual | Smart Sleep Bundle (Headband + Membership) |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Membership |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 6-Month Membership |
| Hybrid | Annual | Bundle with Annual Membership |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Somnee product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Somnee develops and sells an AI-powered smart sleep headband that uses EEG+ brainwave monitoring combined with personalized transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to help users fall asleep faster, reduce nighttime wake-ups, and increase total sleep time. The headband is paired with a required Sleep Service Membership, a companion mobile app, and consumable medical-grade hydrogel electrodes.
Product overview
Somnee offers a unified sleep wellness ecosystem centered on its AI-powered Smart Sleep Headband. The core offering combines the Somnee Smart Sleep Headband hardware with the companion Somnee App and a required Somnee Sleep Service Membership. The system uses proprietary Somnee SmartSleep AI technology that leverages EEG+ brainwave monitoring and tACS neurostimulation in a closed-loop personalized approach. Key differentiators include: the headband worn for 15 minutes before bed (not overnight), DriftBack feature for midnight wake-ups, bone conduction audio delivery, and the 21-night personalization journey. Membership is mandatory and covers electrode replacements, sleep reports, and Dr. Matthew Walker content. Accessories include medical-grade hydrogel electrodes available separately.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Somnee Sleep Service Membership: Monthly subscription service providing EEG sleep data processing, personalized neurostimulation adaptation, electrode replacements, sleep reports, and exclusive Dr. Matt Walker content
- Somnee SmartSleep AI
- DriftBack
Products and services
- Somnee Smart Sleep Headband An EEG+ and tACS-based sleep headband worn for approximately 15 minutes before bed to deliver personalized neurostimulation, featuring built-in bone conduction speakers, breathable fabric, and the DriftBack feature for midnight wake-ups. Sold as a bundle that includes the headband, medical-grade hydrogel electrodes, charging base, charging case, and an initial membership.
- Somnee Sleep Service Membership Required recurring subscription ($183/year or $100 for 6 months) that enables nightly processing of brainwave data, personalized neurostimulation adaptation, replacement medical-grade hydrogel electrodes, comprehensive sleep reports, Dr. Matthew Walker's sleep content, and partnership perks.
- Somnee App Mobile companion application (iOS/Android) that pairs with the Somnee headband to control sessions, view sleep reports including hypnograms and sleep stage distribution, access Dr. Walker's Sleep Journal and Sleep Hygiene Log, and manage account settings. Required for device setup.
- Medical-Grade Hydrogel Electrodes (and accessories) Replacement medical-grade hydrogel electrodes (same type used in hospitals and sleep labs) plus travel cases, charging bases, and additional electrodes sold separately to support continued use of the Somnee headband.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50% faster time to fall asleep
- +8 more outcomes
Companies that use Somnee
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Somnee technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature5 records
Somnee partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, flagship and core.
- Equinox HotelsstrategicEquinox's hospitality division invested in sleep as future of hospitality, partnering with Dr. Matthew Walker. Somnee delivered as cornerstone of spa services, VIP rooms, and exclusive booking bundles.
- NFL Players AssociationflagshipWon NFLPA Pitch Day top prize competition. Conducting pilot programs with NFL players. Somnee's AI sleep headband recognized by professional football players association.
- UC Berkeley / Science AdvisorscoreSleep lab located next to UC Berkeley. Science advisors include Dr. Matthew Walker, Dr. Rich Ivry, Dr. Ram Gurumoorthy, and Dr. Robert Knight. Peer-reviewed research published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
- Dr. Matthew WalkercoreCo-Founder and Chief Sleep Scientist. Author of NYT bestseller 'Why We Sleep'. Provides exclusive sleep content for Somnee app including sleep journal and neural soundscapes.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Somnee competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Fitbit (Google): Fitbit (now part of Google) sells consumer sleep-tracking wearables with subscriptions. The former employer of Somnee's CEO Tim Rosa, comparable as a mass-market sleep/fitness wearable incumbent.
- Casper: Casper is a sleep-vertical consumer brand (mattresses, sleep products) that has expanded into sleep technology. Comparable as a sleep-category lifestyle brand with retail distribution relevant to Somnee's DTC and enterprise ambitions.
- Apple (Apple Watch): Apple Watch is the largest consumer sleep/fitness wearable platform with growing health features. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose feature roadmap could overlap with Somnee's EEG-adjacent capabilities.
- ResMed: ResMed is the dominant sleep-apnea and respiratory-therapy device maker (CPAP, APAP). Comparable as a clinical sleep-medicine hardware incumbent with which Somnee could compete (or partner) in clinical sleep-disorder pathways.
Emerging players
- Muse: Muse produces EEG-based brain-sensing headbands for meditation and sleep. Comparable as a consumer EEG neurofeedback device targeting sleep and relaxation, though at a lower price point and without tACS.
- Dreem: Dreem built a clinical-grade EEG sleep headband with neurostimulation. The most direct technology comparable to Somnee (EEG + tES/tACS), though Dreem has shifted away from consumer hardware toward B2B/research.
Direct peers
- Hatch (Rest): Hatch sells sleep-focused consumer products (Restore smart sleep device, sound machines) with subscriptions. Comparable as a sleep-tech consumer brand with a recurring-revenue model and a similar lifestyle/wellness positioning.
- Whoop: Whoop is a fitness/sleep wearable with subscription model, won the NFLPA Pitch Day in a prior year and partners with the NFLPA. Closest comparable as a sports-optimized wearable with high subscription LTV and enterprise penetration.
- Eight Sleep: Eight Sleep makes the Pod smart-sleep mattress cover with active temperature and neurostimulation features. Comparable as a direct competitor in sleep-tech hardware with a premium subscription model; Somnee has already executed a partnership with Eight Sleep.
- Oura: Oura Ring is a consumer sleep-tracking wearable with subscription tier. Comparable as a premium sleep hardware + subscription competitor, though without neurostimulation. Oura commands a large global installed base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Somnee social profiles
Digital presenceSomnee financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Somnee leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Somnee funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Somnee M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Somnee
What does Somnee do?
Somnee develops and sells an AI-powered smart sleep headband that uses EEG+ brainwave monitoring combined with personalized transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to help users fall asleep faster, reduce nighttime wake-ups, and increase total sleep time. The headband is paired with a required Sleep Service Membership, a companion mobile app, and consumable medical-grade hydrogel electrodes.
Is Somnee a public or private company?
Somnee is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Somnee founded?
Somnee was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Somnee based?
Somnee is headquartered in Berkeley, United States, in the North America region.
How does Somnee make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales (Smart Sleep Headband) is the primary driver. The others are somnee Membership (Subscription), accessories and enterprise/Volume Sales.
Who are Somnee's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Fitbit (Google), Casper, Apple (Apple Watch) and ResMed. Emerging players are Muse and Dreem. Direct peers are Hatch (Rest), Whoop, Eight Sleep and Oura.
Does Somnee have an API?
No public API is recorded for Somnee.
What industry is Somnee in?
Somnee's product category is Consumer Sleep Technology Wearables. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHACAE, Neurological Monitoring (EEG, Seizure/Sleep/Neuro Wearables), with a secondary code of CRAIABAH, Sleep Technology & Smart Sleep Devices Retail (Sleep Trackers, Smart Mattresses). Its NAICS code is 334510 and its SIC code is 3845.