Canadian Healthcare Technology Logo
  • Issues
    • Current Print Issue
    • Print Archive
  • Advertise
    • Publishing Schedule
    • Circulation
    • Unit Sizes and Rates
    • Mechanical Requirements
    • Electronic Advertising
    • White Papers
  • Subscribe
    • Print Edition
    • e-Messenger
    • White Papers
  • Events
  • Vendors
  • About Us

GE Shop

GE Shop

Enovacom SickKids case study

Enovacom SickKids case study

Innovation

Elon Musk’s brain implant firm raises $205 million

August 4, 2021


Elon MuskSAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Neuralink, the futuristic brain-computer interface company founded by Elon Musk (pictured), said it has raised $205 million (US) in new venture backing, by far the biggest haul of any company in its field. The funds will help Neuralink work on its brain implant for quadriplegics, a device which in time could also assist other people with neurological disorders.

The technology could help provide patients “digital freedom” by allowing them to interact with computers and phones “in a high bandwidth and naturalistic way,” according to the announcement.

The next big step for Neuralink will be clinical trials in humans of its device, which so far has been demonstrated in pigs and a Pong-playing monkey.

“It is a bet on cool tech meets Elon,” said Robert Nelsen, the co-founder of Arch Venture Partners who took part in the round. “A very hard but very big vision.”

Neuralink has yet to announce human trials, although one of its rivals, Synchron, announced early trials for its own brain-computer interface in July.

Seven months in, 2021 has already become a record year in brain-computer interface funding. A few days ago, Paradromics said it had raised $20 million. Excluding that round and the latest Neuralink funding, brain-computer interface companies had raised $132.8 million this year.

All told, including the latest funding rounds, 2021 has already tripled the $97 million raised in all of last year, according to PitchBook data.

Neuralink first registered as a California company in 2016, although Musk didn’t discuss the company publicly until the following year. Musk has said Neuralink could relieve conditions ranging from depression to traumatic brain injuries, claims that scientists have agreed are plausible.

The funding was led by Vy Capital. Vy Capital was founded by Alexander Tamas, a former partner at DST, the investment firm founded by billionaire Yuri Milner. Other investors in the Neuralink round include Alphabet Inc.’s GV, Founders Fund and Craft Ventures.

Two years ago, Neuralink raised $51 million (US). Total investment in the company is now believed to stand at $363 million, according to the start-up tracker Crunchbase.

PreviousNext

WP 900×150

WP 900x150

News and Trends

  • Quebec to invest nearly $1 billion in health IT
  • Seven Ontario organizations launch region-wide EHR system
  • Point-of-care lab technology speeds up bloodwork
  • Progress in e-mental health will require clinician training
  • Technology must be simple to use to solve complex problems
More from the Print Edition

Subscribe

Subscribe

Free of charge to Canadian hospital managers and executives in nursing homes and home-care organizations. Learn More

Follow us on Social Media!

Follow us on Social Media!

Infoway [May2022]

Infoway [May2022]

e-blasts 200×400

e-blasts 200x400

Advertise with us

Advertise with us

Sectra best in KLAS

Sectra best in KLAS

Zebra [May2022]

Zebra [May2022]

SteraMist disinfection

SteraMist disinfection

MEDICA 2022

MEDICA 2022

WP 900×150

WP 900x150

Advertise with us

Advertise with us

Sectra best in KLAS

Sectra best in KLAS

Zebra [May2022]

Zebra [May2022]

SteraMist disinfection

SteraMist disinfection

MEDICA 2022

MEDICA 2022

Contact Us

Canadian Healthcare Technology
1118 Centre Street, Suite 207
Thornhill, Ontario, Canada L4J 7R9
Tel: 905-709-2330
Fax: 905-709-2258
info2@canhealth.com

  • Quick Links
    • Current Print Issue
    • Print Archive
    • Events
    • Vendors
    • About Us
  • Advertise
    • Publishing Schedule
    • Circulation
    • Unit Sizes and Rates
    • Mechanical Requirements
    • Electronic Advertising
    • White Papers
  • Subscribe
    • Print Edition
    • e-Messenger
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • White Papers
    • Writers’ Guidelines
    • Privacy Policy
  • Topics
    • Administrative Solutions
    • Clinical Solutions
    • Companies
    • Continuing Care
    • Diagnostics
    • Education & Training
  •  
    • Electronic Records
    • Government & Policy
    • Infrastructure
    • Innovation
    • People
    • Privacy and Security

© 2022 Canadian Healthcare Technology

The content of Canadian Healthcare Technology is subject to copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Send all requests for permission to Jerry Zeidenberg, Publisher.

Search Site

Error: Enter a search term

  • Issues
    • Current Print Issue
    • Print Archive
  • Advertise
    • Publishing Schedule
    • Circulation
    • Unit Sizes and Rates
    • Mechanical Requirements
    • Electronic Advertising
    • White Papers
  • Subscribe
    • Print Edition
    • e-Messenger
    • White Papers
  • Events
  • Vendors
  • About Us