Start-Ups Leading the Neurotech Landscape

What if we told you that soon we will be able to link human minds to computers? That sounds like complete science fiction, right? Well, It is not.

Startups and Entrepreneurs in the Neurotech landscape are disrupting the Health Tech industry and redefining our notion of the impossible.

NeuroTech is growing at a considerable rate with over 200 NeuroTech companies in the world. According to Forbes, in the last 20 years, there have been over 19 billion dollars that have been invested in NeuroTech companies and the annual growth of investment in the sector is 31%.

Now the question you might be asking yourself is ‘What is NeuroTech and why is it growing at such a pace?’

The NeuroTech landscape is mostly driven by startups that are disrupting the field of HealthTech through new technologies and approaches. They aim to solve some of the unmet needs of patients with neurological disease, give new solutions to healthcare professionals in neuroscience or simply optimize and enhance human capabilities through technology. Thibaud Guymard, Sr. Director, Innovation Officer & Konectom General Manager at Biogen Healthcare Solutions (BHS), defines NeuroTech as:

“An emerging industry at the crossroads between neuroscience and technology, bringing new applications, processes, products, services or business models aimed at delivering scalable solutions that benefit people living with neurological diseases, healthcare professionals, researchers, and payers.”

Here are some of the StartUps that are blurring the line between science fiction and reality:

Neuralink

What if we told you that they are creating a device that will link human minds and computers, science fiction or reality? REALITY!

Neuralink was founded in 2016 and is now directed by Elon Musk. The vision of Neuralink is to “design the first neural implant that will let you control a computer or mobile device anywhere you go”. The initial aim of such an implant is to enable people with paralysis to control computers and mobile devices and therefore to regain independence. The device will be complemented with the Neuralink app. The app allows the users to control their keyboard, mouse, or any iOS device by just thinking about the action they want to do. First, the app will guide the users through exercises that teach them to control their devices, and secondly, it will enable them to be autonomous by connecting their minds to external devices through Bluetooth connection. Until now the prototypes are still being texted but we are following this Startup very closely to see what it is holding for us.

Find more information on Neuralink here / If you want to see the first Launch event click here (highly recommend to have a look at it)

Halo Neuroscience

What if we told you that they have created a device that makes you more, science fiction or reality? REALITY!

Halo Neuroscience was founded in 2013 in San Francisco. The product that the company developed is the ‘Halo Sport’, a brain-stimulating device that aims to enhance the efficiency of physical training. It does so by sending weak electrical signals into the brain of the user and therefore increasing the plasticity in the brain right before activity. This is based on the concept of Neuropriming which introduces a state of ‘hyperelasticity’ in which stronger and more optimized connections between the muscles and the brain are created. The company has been very successful at finding partnerships and investors. For instance, in 2018, it has partnered with USA cycling.

Find more information on Halo Neuroscience here

Meltin

What if we told you that they have created a cybernetic device blurring the line between humans and machines, science fiction or reality? REALITY!

This Japanese tech company founded in 2013 has developed MELTANT- α a cyborg hand that works on bio-signaling processing. The Processing technology is an algorithm that allows a highly-accurate analysis of the neurological signals transmitted by the human brain. With this technology, the cyborg's hand replicates as closely as possible the human hand by also adding speed, durability, flexibility, accuracy, and power. The idea behind this hand is that human creativity is often limited by physical constraints.

Find more information on Meltin here

Cala Health

What if we told you that they have created a device that improves a little the life of Parkinson patients, science fiction or reality? REALITY!

Cala Health, a bioelectronic medicine company focusing on Parkinson's Disease was founded in 2013 in California. The company has created ‘Trio” a wristband device that focuses on diminishing the tremor movements of Parkinson's patients by sending signals to the center of the brain coordinating movements.

Find more information on Cala Health here

Neuros Medical

What if we told you that they have created a device that relieves chronic pain, science fiction or reality? REALITY!

Neuros Medical is a biomodulation company founded in Ohio. They focus on developing technologies for patients that suffer from chronic amputation pain. In fact, after amputation, damaged nerve endings can continue sending pain signals to the brain. With their electrical nerve block technology, Neuros medical aim is to intercept the pain signals.

Find more information on Neuros Medical here