What does it take to build a BCI company around better hardware, stronger data, and a long-term view of how the brain will be decoded? In this episode of The Business of Neurotech, host Adam Fraser is joined by Nicolas Vachicouras, CEO and co-founder of Neurosoft Bioelectronics, to discuss his path from microelectronics and nanotechnology into the BCI space, and how Neurosoft is developing soft, stretchable electrodes designed to sit on the brain surface rather than penetrate it. Adam and Nicolas discuss the technical and commercial thinking behind Neurosoft’s strategy, how the company has moved from early academic work to first-in-human studies, and why platform thinking now matters more than pursuing a single indication. They also discuss fundraising in Europe versus the US, why BCI still needs high-quality invasive data to unlock future breakthroughs, how the partnership with Science Corp fits into the wider BCI value chain, and why Nicolas believes the field will likely support several major players over time. Tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• [01:25] Nicolas’ backstory and how his studies led him into BCI.
• [03:17] See how Nicolas first started thinking about commercialising neurotechnology.
• [05:56] Explore what Neurosoft is building and the core idea behind its approach to BCI.
• [07:43] Understand how Neurosoft’s approach differs from typical BCI technology.
• [09:17] The different levels of invasiveness in BCI and how this impacts data quality.
• [11:38] Neurosoft’s progress and how the roadmap to clinical trials is taking shape.
• [15:15] Learn how Neurosoft’s focus has evolved from tinnitus towards a broader strategy.
• [17:40] Find out whether mental health is part of Neurosoft’s long-term plan.
• [18:52] Unpack Neurosoft’s funding journey and what Nicolas has learnt along the way.
• [21:19] Discover why Neurosoft is starting with the US market, instead of Europe.
• [22:28] Why funding in a market where competitors have more capital is not an issue.
• [24:00] Examine how the partnership with Science Corp fits into Neurosoft’s long-term goals.
• [28:27] How BCI fits into the broader neurotech ecosystem and the future market of BCI.
• [30:59] Uncover why reimbursement remains such an important challenge for BCI.
• [32:39] Hear how Nicolas thinks about building a team for a long-term goal.
• [36:14] Final takeaways and how to connect with Nicolas and Neurosoft Bioelectronics.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Nicolas Vachicouras

Nicolas Vachicouras on LinkedIn

Neurosoft Bioelectronics

Science Corp

Adam Fraser on LinkedIn

Omniscient Neurotechnology

The Business of Neurotech Podcast

What does it take to build a brain measurement company from the ground up and turn neuroscience into a scalable service? In this episode of The Business of Neurotech, host Adam Fraser is joined by Ryan Field, CEO of Kernel, to talk about what it means to build brain technology in an emerging market. Adam and Ryan discuss Ryan’s path from electrical engineering and sensing technology into neurotech, and how Kernel has evolved from an early invasive BCI vision into a company focused on non-invasive brain measurement. They also explore how Kernel is building a platform across different applications, the company’s funding journey, the promise and limits of invasive BCI and why whole-brain measurement may matter more than many investors currently realise. Tune in for a look at Kernel’s strategy and the broader business logic shaping the next phase of neurotech.

Key Points From This Episode:

• [01:10] Discover Ryan’s backstory and how his career led him into neurotech.
• [04:44] How his interest in engineering and biology pulled him towards the brain.
• [06:30] What made neurotech feel like an emerging space when he joined Kernel.
• [07:22] Understand Kernel’s original vision and how the company has evolved.
• [12:25] Why Kernel is focused on becoming a foundational measurement layer for the brain.
• [13:22] Find out about Bryan Johnson’s role at Kernel and how he has shaped its direction.
• [16:34] How Ryan sees his role in Kernel and why it feels like more than a typical CEO job.
• [18:10] Unpack Kernel’s funding journey and why Bryan’s backing was so important.
• [20:19] Learn why the brain represents a major risk for investors in neurotech.
• [21:20] Examine how Kernel is turning neuroscience into a scalable service for customers.
• [24:01] Kernel’s approach to commercialising across research, longevity and wellness.
• [27:28] Uncover how Kernel is working with pharma and aiding drug development.
• [30:07] Hear Ryan’s view on the recent surge in funding for invasive BCI companies.
• [33:43] Whether neurotech is heading toward a few big winners or many niche companies.
• [36:24] Final takeaways and advice on how to keep a team aligned and motivated.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Ryan Field on LinkedIn

Kernel

Bryan Johnson on LinkedIn

‘A compact time-domain diffuse optical tomography system for cortical neuroimaging’

Blueprint

Adam Fraser on LinkedIn

Omniscient Neurotechnology

The Business of Neurotech Podcast

How do you turn neuroscience ideas into real businesses without losing sight of the science? In this episode of The Business of Neurotech, host Adam Fraser sits down with neuroscientist, author, podcaster, entrepreneur, and Stanford educator David Eagleman to explore his journey across academia and neurotech startups. David discusses how he shifted from running a traditional neuroscience lab to building ventures in sensory substitution, digital cognitive assessment, and companion robotics, and delves into what he has learned about markets, investors, regulation, and founder decision-making along the way. Adam and David also discuss why some neurotech ideas struggle to find the right market, the balance between wellness and regulated health technology, and why the next wave of BCI may go beyond metal electrodes. Tune in to hear David’s take on building in neurotech, where the field is heading, and what it really takes to turn big ideas into lasting companies.

Key Points From This Episode:

• [01:28] Discover David’s backstory, what he is doing today, and how he divides his time.
• [03:53] How investors view backing David as a founder with the many commitments he has.
• [04:58] Hear how David decides where to invest his time across neuroscience and neurotech.
• [07:02] Learn what Neosensory was built to do and the thinking behind sensory substitution.
• [10:00] Find out if Neosensory was ahead of its time and about the market hurdles it faced.
• [13:45] Explore his opinion on non-invasive neurotech versus invasive brain interfaces.
• [15:04] What BrainCheck solved and how it became a digital cognitive assessment platform.
• [19:00] Uncover what Jojo Health is building and what got him into companion robotics.
• [24:40] Unpack the main commercial themes across David’s different neurotech ventures.
• [27:33] David shares what he has learned about fundraising, venture capital, and regulation.
• [31:00] Understand how David made the jump from academia into startup life.
• [33:35] Advice for new neurotech founders and what they should take into consideration.
• [37:41] Insights into where neurotech is heading next and how to connect with David.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

David Eagleman

David Eagleman on X

David Eagleman on Facebook

David Eagleman on Instagram

David Eagleman on LinkedIn

David Eagleman on TikTok

David Eagleman on Bluesky

Inner Cosmos Podcast

Stanford University

BrainCheck

Jojo Health

Science Corporation

Subsense

Adam Fraser on LinkedIn

Omniscient Neurotechnology

The Business of Neurotech Podcast