Bridge Neurotech Launches with $13.5M to Develop Ultrasound Brain-Computer Interface
Bridge Neurotech has secured $13.5 million in funding, with contributions from General Catalyst, to create a wearable brain-computer interface utilizing ultrasound technology. The startup, founded by Will Biederman—who previously worked on a chip licensed by Neuralink—intends to develop a noninvasive device that assesses brain blood flow through ultrasound. This approach differs from the surgical implants offered by companies like Neuralink, Synchron, Paradromics, and Precision Neuroscience. To date, around 100 individuals have participated in trials involving implanted brain-computer interfaces, with 21 using Neuralink's device. Bridge's inaugural clinical trial will occur in Redwood City, California, involving healthy participants and those who have undergone skull surgery, employing semiconductor chips from Butterfly Network. Biederman's goal emphasizes noninvasive technology.
Key facts
- Bridge Neurotech launched with $13.5 million in funding, including from General Catalyst.
- Founder and CEO Will Biederman developed the chip Neuralink licensed for its first devices.
- Bridge aims to build a wearable ultrasound-based brain-computer interface.
- Only about 100 people globally have received implanted brain-computer interfaces in clinical trials, including at least 21 with Neuralink's device.
- The first clinical study will take place in Redwood City, California, with healthy adults and those who have had skull surgery.
- Bridge's probes use semiconductor silicon chips made by Butterfly Network.
- Arbor Neuroscience, formerly Forest Neurotech, was founded in 2023 by Biederman, Sumner Norman, and Tyson Aflalo.
- Merge Labs spun out of Forest Neurotech in January, with cofounders including Sam Altman, Mikhail Shapiro, Alex Blania, and Sandro Herbig.
Entities
Artists
- Will Biederman
- Sam Altman
- Elon Musk
- Sumner Norman
- Tyson Aflalo
- Mikhail Shapiro
- Alex Blania
- Sandro Herbig
- Maryam Shanechi
Institutions
- Bridge Neurotech
- Merge Labs
- General Catalyst
- Neuralink
- Synchron
- Paradromics
- Precision Neuroscience
- Arbor Neuroscience
- Forest Neurotech
- Butterfly Network
- University of Southern California
- Caltech
- Anduril
- Anthropic
- Airbnb
- Stripe
Locations
- Redwood City
- California
- United States
- United Kingdom