Failed 2017

    Doppler Labs

    Smart earbuds with noise filtering launched just before Apple AirPods. Being a pioneer means nothing if Apple is coming.

    Founded → Closed

    2013 → 2017

    Funding Raised

    $51M

    Industry

    Consumer Electronics/Audio

    Country

    USA

    IdeaProof AI Failure Score

    55/100
    Market Fit RiskBurn Rate RiskFounder Risk
    Market Fit Risk
    50
    Burn Rate Risk
    65
    Founder Risk
    15

    Full Analysis

    Doppler Labs made the Here One — smart earbuds that could filter, enhance, and augment real-world audio. The $299 product was technically impressive but launched just as Apple released AirPods at $159. Apple's ecosystem lock-in and brand power were impossible to overcome. Doppler shut down in November 2017.

    Could This Failure Have Been Prevented?

    IdeaProof's AI validates market demand, competitive positioning, and business model viability in minutes — catching the exact issues that sank Doppler Labs.