Inside Neuralink: From 2016 to Now Into a $363 million business
Startup Type:
Headquarter: Austin, USA
Current Status: Active (private; began human trials in 2023)
Founders: Elon Musk, Max Hodak
Founded Year: 2016
Investors: Vy Capital, DFJ Growth, Founders Fund
Funding Raised: $363 million
What Is the business model of Neuralink?
Neurotechnology startup developing implantable brain–machine interfaces (brain chips) to help treat neurological disorders and eventually augment human cognition; currently no revenue (R&D stage)
How Neuralink got started?
Co-founded by Musk in 2016 to explore high-bandwidth brain implants, Neuralink operated in stealth for years before revealing a prototype “Link” device and surgical robot in 2019, aiming to help paralyzed patients control computers directly with their thoughts
what growth strategy has Neuralink followed?
Assembled a top-tier interdisciplinary team and kept public interest high through futurist presentations by Musk, leverages Musk’s fame and capital to push forward a field that traditional academics and companies approach much more cautiously
what are the top products/features of Neuralink
Neuralink brain implant, surgical robot for implantation, future brain-computer interface applications
what was the biggest challenge faced by Neuralink?
Regulatory and ethical hurdles in moving from animal testing to human trials — the company faced delays getting FDA approval for human implant trials (granted in 2023) and criticism from neuroscientists about overpromising and animal welfare concerns