From MIT Project to 200,000 Customers: Sam Shames’ Embr Labs Journey

In this episode of The Future of Marketing, we speak with Sam Shames, Co-founder and COO of Embr Labs, the wearable thermal technology company that has raised over $60 million in funding. Embr Labs has pioneered a "personal thermostat" wearable that applies temperature sensations to the wrist to control overall body comfort. Sam shares the 12-year journey from MIT student project to category-creating consumer technology company with over 200,000 customers in more than 100 countries. Through iterative product development, science-backed messaging, and smart distribution strategies, Embr Labs has built a unique position in the wearable market by focusing on thermal comfort as a pathway to better health.

Topics Discussed:

• Creating a new wearable category focused on temperature regulation

• The science behind how temperature affects the nervous system

• Transitioning from student project to venture-backed startup

• Building consumer trust in breakthrough technology

• Evolving marketing messaging for different audiences

• Developing direct-to-consumer vs. retail distribution strategies

• Innovative business models including subscription-based hardware