Brain stimulation is moving from specialist clinics towards faster, more personalised and scalable care. In this episode, Adam Fraser speaks with Dr Derrick Buchanan, a clinical neuroscientist in Stanford’s Brain Stimulation Lab, entrepreneur, author and speaker whose work spans precision brain imaging, neuromodulation and mental health. Derrick discusses his path from Canada to Stanford and explores how the university turns research into companies. He unpacks how transcranial magnetic stimulation works, why adoption still lags behind its clinical promise, and where portable devices may take the field. They also explore the neurotech ecosystem and the long-term investment logic behind BCI. Tune in to hear how science, commercialisation and access could shape the next generation of brain care with Dr Derrick Buchanan.

Key Points From This Episode:

• [01:50] Discover how Dr Buchanan’s career path shaped his work and entrepreneurship.
• [09:22] Explore what makes Stanford the ideal place for cutting-edge research.
• [11:56] Unpack how Stanford handles IP, licensing and startup ownership.
• [16:16] Learn how transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) stimulates the brain.
• [23:30] Uncover the barriers holding back the wider adoption of TMS.
• [28:29] Find out how portable TMS could expand access and when to expect it.
• [31:09] Hear his perspective on applying neurotech across imaging, stimulation and BCI.
• [34:28] Dr Buchanan explains how invasive and non-invasive tools can coexist.
• [38:31] Final takeaways and why investors are betting heavily on BCI.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Derrick Buchanan

Derrick Buchanan on X

Stanford Medicine

The Brain Stimulation Lab (BSL)

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Stanford Office of Technology Licensing

Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT)

Motif Neurotech

Episode 6: David Eagleman Talks Media, Startups, and Neuroscience

Episode 4: Mariam Khayretdinova talks EEG, AI and Psychiatry

Adam Fraser on LinkedIn

Omniscient Neurotechnology

The Business of Neurotech Podcast

What makes an emerging technology bold enough and a founder exceptional enough to justify taking an early-stage risk? In this episode of The Business of Neurotech, Adam Fraser sits down with Matias Serebrinsky, Founding Partner at PsyMed Ventures, a specialist venture capital fund investing in frontier brain and mental health technologies. Matias brings a dual perspective as both a former startup founder and an early-stage investor who previously supported AI companies during a pivotal period in the industry’s growth. In this conversation, he reflects on how breakthrough technologies move from research labs into real-world products and what it takes for scientific drive to become a venture-scale company. They also discuss the evolution of neurotechnology as an investment category, the realities of backing high-risk frontier science, and how PsyMed assesses early-stage opportunities across brain-computer interfaces, neuromodulation, mental health innovation and more. Tune in for an investor’s view of the people and technologies driving frontier neuro forward.

Key Points From This Episode:

• [01:15] Explore Matias’ journey from startup founder and NVIDIA to neuro investing.
• [05:37] Uncover the three qualities PsyMed looks for in an early-stage investment.
• [06:54] Explore Matias’ broad definition of neurotech and the market behind it.
• [08:30] He shares PsyMed’s approach to investing early and supporting founders.
• [12:55] Whether specialist and generalist funds will grow as more investors join.
• [15:35] Consider what major exits could mean for neurotech’s investment appeal.
• [18:54] Learn which opportunities are currently capturing PsyMed’s attention.
• [22:18] Hear about a BCI company taking a different path to developing neurotech.
• [28:34] Discover the role capital plays in turning science into a successful company.
• [30:58] Unpack the different hardware approaches to neuromodulation.
• [34:15] Understand what changes when a wellness product enters medical territory.
• [36:28] Matias’ advice for researchers considering the startup journey.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Matias Serebrinsky on LinkedIn

PsyMed Ventures

PsyMed Ventures on Substack

Business Trip Podcast

‘The State of Frontier Neuro’

Motif

Adam Fraser on LinkedIn

Omniscient Neurotechnology

The Business of Neurotech Podcast

How do you turn promising neurotechnology into solutions that can actually work inside healthcare systems? In this episode of The Business of Neurotech Podcast, Adam Fraser is joined by Richard Mulry, President and CEO of Northwell Holdings, the for-profit venture investment arm of Northwell Health, to explore what it takes to identify, invest in, and scale innovation in clinical care. Richard explains why Northwell prefers to invest in companies it would use itself, and how clinical evidence, workflow integration, and strong partnerships shape every investment decision. The conversation explores the unique opportunities and challenges of neurotechnology, from brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and neurorehabilitation to AI-enabled platforms and bioelectronic medicine. Richard also shares why solving meaningful clinical problems matters more than following investment trends, how strategic healthcare investors can help companies prove real-world value, and what founders should know about working with strategic investors. Listen in for an insightful discussion on what it takes to bring neurotechnology from concept to clinical impact!

Key Points From This Episode:

• [01:28] Richard’s career in healthcare and his path to Northwell Holdings.
• [04:32] Background on Northwell and its approach to healthcare innovation.
• [07:15] Discover Northwell's investment process and selection criteria.
• [11:25] Why Northwell prefers to invest in companies it would use itself.
• [12:30] Find out how Northwell complements traditional venture capital investors.
• [16:46] Understand Richard’s perspective on the neurotech market.
• [19:29] Hear why Northwell invested in Cognixion and its evolving platform.
• [21:43] Explore Northwell’s view of invasive versus non-invasive BCIs.
• [26:36] Learn about Northwell’s latest neurotech investments.
• [31:31] Understand how Northwell supports companies through FDA and reimbursement.
• [32:50] Discover how AI is reshaping healthcare operations and medtech.
• [37:03] Richard’s advice for founders seeking strategic investors.
• [39:33] Final takeaways and how to connect with Northwell Holdings.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Richard Mulry on LinkedIn

Northwell Holdings

Northwell Holdings on LinkedIn

Northwell Health

Northwell Health on LinkedIn

Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research | Northwell Health

Cognixion

Neuvotion

Spark Biomedical

OhmBody

SetPoint Medical

Adam Fraser on LinkedIn

Omniscient Neurotechnology

The Business of Neurotech Podcast

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

Where is neurotech money really flowing, and what do the numbers say about where the industry is heading next? In this episode of The Business of Neurotech, host Adam Fraser sits down with Naveen Rao, founder of Patchwise Labs, curator of Neurotech Futures, and Forbes contributor covering neurotechnology’s impact on business and society. In their conversation, Naveen shares how a career spanning public health, health policy, advocacy, and healthcare analysis led him into neurotech and explains why he now sees the field as one of the most important and fast-moving frontiers in healthcare. Adam and Naveen unpack how he defines the sector, what stood out in his 2025 funding analysis, and why brain-computer interfaces continue to attract so much capital. They also discuss where other momentum is building across neuromodulation and consumer neurotech, and how artificial intelligence is shaping both the companies being built and the capital flowing into them. Tune in for a look at the aspects shaping neurotech now and in the future.

Key Points From This Episode:

• [01:20] How Naveen’s background led him to neurotech and founding Patchwise Labs.
• [04:43] Learn about his goal with Neurotech Futures and how it fits within Patchwise Labs.
• [08:42] Hear why Naveen sees Substack as a strong platform for writers.
• [09:41] Explore how he defines the neurotech space, and he sees it as a mixed space.
• [11:27] Find out how he keeps up with the latest neurotech news and developments.
• [13:50] Unpack the main takeaways from Naveen’s 2025 neurotech funding snapshot.
• [17:09] Why brain-computer interfaces (BCI) continue to attract a large share of funding.
• [20:54] Understand why BCI may be seen as the ultimate platform play in neurotech.
• [22:34] Naveen highlights the latest tech trends and news in neurotech.
• [25:44] The line between consumer neurotech and regulated medical devices.
• [27:54] Discover what the 2025 funding data suggests about the top neurotech sectors.
• [30:03] Whether the AI funding boom could affect capital available for neurotech.
• [34:41] His opinion on the potential of neurotech becoming a standalone investment category.
• [38:38] Uncover the potential impact of a major neurotech IPO on the mobilisation of capital.
• [40:37] Final takeaways and how to connect with Naveen.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Naveen Rao on LinkedIn

Neurotech Futures

Forbes

Patchwise Labs

‘2025 Neurotech Funding Snapshot’

The Focused Ultrasound Foundation Newsletter

SetPoint Medical

Surf Therapeutics

NeuroPace

Adam Fraser on LinkedIn

Omniscient Neurotechnology

The Business of Neurotech Podcast

What if the future of psychiatry depended less on subjective questionnaires and more on biological data, scalable brain models, and artificial intelligence? In this episode of The Business of Neurotech, host Adam Fraser sits down with Mariam Khayretdinova, Founder and CEO of Brainify.AI, a company building electroencephalography (EEG) foundation models for precision neuroscience. Mariam brings a mix of applied mathematics, technology, psychology, and lived experience to the discussion, drawing from her own mental health journey and her work at Brainify.AI. In their conversation, Mariam shares how she went from Russia to tech consulting and eventually into neuroscience entrepreneurship. She explains why psychiatry remains so difficult to diagnose and treat objectively, how small and inconsistent datasets limit progress, and why EEG offers a scalable starting point for building brain-based models. Adam and Mariam also explore Brainify.AI’s go-to-market strategy, its work with pharma companies, the funding realities neurotech founders face, and the future of AI-enabled psychiatry. They also delve into Mariam’s book, Decoding Despair: How AI is Reshaping Psychiatry, and her vision for a world where mental health care is more data-driven and free from stigma. Tune in to learn how EEG, AI, and foundation models could help reshape the future of psychiatry, clinical trials, and mental health care with Mariam Khayretdinova.

Key Points From This Episode:

• [01:22] Discover how Mariam moved from applied mathematics into neuroscience.
• [03:12] How her experience at Harvard helped her with research and critical thinking.
• [06:35] Explore how Mariam’s experiences with depression sparked her interest in psychiatry.
• [09:43] Hear about the origin story behind Brainify.AI and its overall aim for mental health.
• [14:06] Learn why Mariam chose EEG as Brainify.AI’s primary data source.
• [15:56] Brainify.AI’s approach to supporting biomarker discovery and treatment prediction.
• [21:37] Examine Brainify.AI’s go-to-market strategy in pharma, model access, and data.
• [24:12] Whether brain foundation models could become the base layer for future applications.
• [24:57] Find out how Mariam manages focus across Brainify.AI’s many possible use cases.
• [27:03] Uncover the harsh realities of raising funds as a neurotech founder.
• [31:32] Why Mariam wrote Decoding Despair and what she hopes to achieve with the book.
• [34:24] Understand how AI could support earlier detection and personalised mental health care.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Mariam Khayretdinova

Mariam Khayretdinova on LinkedIn

Brainify.AI

Decoding Despair: How AI is Reshaping Psychiatry

Adam Fraser on LinkedIn

Omniscient Neurotechnology

The Business of Neurotech Podcast