Nothing Technology Limited (stylised NOTHING) is a London-based consumer technology company founded by Carl Pei. The company gathers a number of notorious investors, such as iPod inventor Tony Fadell, Twitch co-founder Kevin Lin, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, and YouTuber Casey Neistat.[2] On February 25, the company announced Teenage Engineering as founding partners, mainly responsible for the design aesthetic of the brand and its products.[3]
Nothing's first product "ear (1)" has been launched on July 27, 2021.[4][5]
In 2020, Carl Pei, the co-founder of OnePlus was working with the company along side with Pete Lau. Pei announced his resignation on October 16, 2020 so that he could start a new venture.[6] Pei later raised up to $7 million from multiple investors to start up his venture including iPod inventor Tony Fadell, Twitch co-founder Kevin Lin, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, and YouTuber Casey Neistat.[7]
Carl Pei, CEO and Co-founder of Nothing Technology Limited
Pei announced the company, Nothing, on January 27, 2022.[8]
In February 15, 2021, Nothing acquired the Essential Products trademarks and brand nearly a year after the company shut down operations.[9][10]
On February 25, 2021, the company announced its first founding partner, Teenage Engineering, to produce the design aesthetic of the brand and its products.[11]
Nothing announced its first product on July 27, 2021 named the "ear (1)", which was wireless headphones.[12]
In October 13, 2021, the company raised up to $50 million and also announced a partnership with Qualcomm.[13]
On March 9, 2022, the same day that Nothing secured Series B financing, the company announced that it would hold a press conference on March 23.[14][15] During that event, the company announced its first smartphone, the "phone (1)".[16][17]
Investment
Investment Rounds
Funding Series
Number of Investors
Money Raised
Date
Seed Round
7
$7mn
Dec 9, 2020
Series A
1
$15mn
Feb 9, 2021
Equity Crowdfunding
1
$1.3mn
Feb 25, 2021
Series A
7
$48.5mn
Oct 13, 2021
Series B
6
$70mn
Mar 9, 2022
Products
Ear (1)
Nothing Ear (1)
The Nothing Ear 1, stylized as the "ear (1)", is Nothing's first product. Announced on July 27, 2021, the Ear 1 is a set of wireless earbuds. The earbuds can be connected by Bluetooth and have up to 34 hours of battery life when used with the charging case, and up to 5.7 hours of battery life with ANC off; with 24 hours with the case used and up to four hours for the earbuds themselves with ANC on. The earbuds went on sale on August 17, 2021 at the cost of $99/£99/€99.[18][19]
A Black version was also announced on December 6, 2021 and went on sale on December 13. Nothing also announced on that day that the Ear 1 earbuds are now carbon neutral.[20]
Phone (1)
On March 23, 2022, Nothing announced its first smartphone named the "Phone (1)". The phone will run on an Android-based operating system named Nothing OS with an anticipated release date of Summer 2022.[21]