Brendan Iribe (Sesame)
Overview
Brendan Iribe, widely recognized as one of the co-founders of Oculus VR, has ventured into a new field with the establishment of a startup named Sesame. Known for his influential work in virtual reality, Iribe’s current focus is on advancing conversational AI through innovative products such as AI-enabled smart glasses. Under his leadership, Sesame aims to merge advanced speech technology with consumer-friendly hardware, providing users with an emotionally intelligent conversational companion in the form of stylish wearable glasses.
Recent Developments
- October 2025: Sesame raised $250 million in Series B funding to further its goal of launching AI-powered wearable glasses that transform everyday interactions into natural conversations. Key investors include Sequoia and Spark Capital.
- April 2025: The company was reportedly raising over $200 million, escalating its valuation above $1 billion, signifying strong momentum and investor confidence.
- March 2025: Sesame released its CSM-1B AI voice generator as open source, allowing broader commercial use and fostering innovation within the developer community.
- February 2025: Early demos of Sesame’s voice technology, featuring AI voices “Maya” and “Miles,” received significant attention for exhibiting near-human conversational abilities, setting a new standard in how users interact with machines.
- June 2023: Brendan Iribe, alongside Ankit Kumar and Ryan Brown, founded Sesame, drawing on previous expertise from Oculus, Meta, and Ubiquity6 to innovate in voice-based AI technology.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brendan Trexler Iribe |
| Born | August 12, 1979, in Maryland, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Technology Entrepreneur |
| Known For | Co-founder of Oculus VR, Founder of Sesame |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Education | University of Maryland (dropped out) |
Early Life and Education
Brendan Iribe was born in 1979 in Maryland. His early fascination with computers and video games laid the groundwork for his future endeavors in technology. Showing an aptitude for computer programming, Iribe attended the University of Maryland, majoring in computer science. However, his entrepreneurial ambitions led him to leave the university before completing his degree. This decision was a pivotal point in Iribe’s career, ultimately leading to the establishment of several tech ventures.
Career and Notable Achievements
Brendan Iribe's career took off with the co-founding of Scaleform, a user interface technology company. However, he gained significant fame and success with Oculus VR, where he served as CEO. Under his leadership, Oculus Rift became a breakthrough product in the field of virtual reality, revolutionizing gaming and computing. In 2014, Oculus was acquired by Meta (formerly Facebook) for approximately $2 billion, marking a major milestone in Iribe's career.
- 2012: Co-founded Oculus VR, significantly contributing to VR technology development.
- 2014: Oculus acquisition by Meta, leading to widespread adoption of VR technologies.
- 2023: Founded Sesame, focusing on AI-enabled voice and wearable technologies.
Current Work and Impact
Currently, Brendan Iribe is at the helm of Sesame, steering the company toward redefining human-computer interactions with its innovative smart glasses. By leveraging his background in hardware and software integration, Iribe aims to make AI a more natural extension of human capability, promoting accessibility and seamless interaction. Sesame’s promise lies in its potential to transform the mundane interactions of everyday life into engaging conversations, reinforcing Iribe’s impact on the tech landscape.
Conclusion
Brendan Iribe’s journey from virtual reality pioneer to a leading innovator in AI and wearable technology highlights his significant contributions to the tech industry. Through Sesame, he continues to push boundaries, aiming to integrate advanced AI into daily human experiences. As the landscape of technology evolves, Iribe's work exemplifies the fusion of innovation and practical application, paving the way for future advancements in AI and virtual reality. His vision for AI-driven wearables embodies the potential for profound societal impact and enduring technological innovation.