In the world of AI hardware, success stories are few and far between. Plaud, a company specializing in AI-powered notetakers, aims to change that by catering to professionals who spend much of their time in meetings. According to the company, it has sold over 2 million devices, which include Plaud Pins and credit-card-sized gadgets that attach to the back of a phone. Additionally, Plaud reports that its subscription business has achieved an annualized revenue run rate exceeding $100 million.

The company highlights a common shortfall among many AI firms: they often depend on digital documents and typed prompts derived from memory. Plaud argues that its screenless devices enable real-life conversations and help users recall key details, summaries, and action items afterward. "Most AI companies have scaled through software behind a screen. We took a different path. The conversations that actually move things forward don’t happen on a keyboard. We built the interface for the post-screen world. And the market validated it," said Nathan Xu, co-founder and CEO of Plaud.

Last year, Plaud launched the $179 Plaud Pro, and this year, it introduced the new Plaud Pin S at a similar price point. Beyond hardware, the company has also ramped up its software efforts. Earlier this year, it released a desktop app capable of taking Granola-style notes via system audio for online meetings. Last month, Plaud introduced Plaud Teams, which includes shared memory features aimed at enterprise customers.

Plaud users can purchase the hardware and receive 300 minutes of free transcription. However, for those with multiple meetings per day, this free limit can quickly be exhausted. To access additional minutes and other features, users can choose from monthly, annual, or add-on plans. The company does not currently offer standalone software subscriptions, meaning paid plans are typically purchased by device owners.

The meeting note-taking hardware space is highly competitive, featuring players such as accessories giant Anker, Transsion-backed Viaim, Sequoia China-backed Vibe, and YC-backed Pocket.