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Pandemic Darling Hopin Was Sold For Scraps. Now Its Founder Is Working On An AI Device

From $8B unicorn to fire sale. Now Hopin's founder is betting on AI hardware.

Reporting by Forbes Innovation 1 min brief
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The KeyNews take

Why it matters

A high-profile founder recovering from a catastrophic down-round is re-entering the market with an AI-first hardware play. Signals both the appetite for AI pivots among established entrepreneurs and the graveyard of pandemic-era valuations.

The key facts

8 to know

  1. Hopin valued at $8B in 2021

  2. Hopin sold for parts/scrap valuation in 2023

  3. Johnny Boufarhat founding new startup Sedona (AI device/gadget)

  4. Founder returning to market after 2-3 year downround recovery

  5. Johnny Boufarhat founded Hopin, valued at $8B in 2021

  6. Hopin was sold for parts in 2023 (two years after peak valuation)

  7. Boufarhat is now founding Sedona, an AI device startup

  8. Timeline: Hopin peaked 2021, sold 2023, new venture announced June 2026

Go to the source

Forbes Innovationforbes.com

Publisher excerpt: Johnny Boufarhat’s virtual events startup Hopin soared to a $8 billion valuation in 2021 but the business was sold for parts just two years later. He’s back with a new AI gadget startup Sedona
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