Europe’s Deep Tech Bet: AI, Neurotech, and the Future of Brain Interfaces- Issue #17

Mar 31, 2025

Welcome to Neurotech Pulse - Issue #17! In this edition, we explore the latest advancements shaping neurotechnology. Europe is doubling down on deep tech to strengthen its technological autonomy, while Synchron’s partnership with Nvidia drives AI-driven BCI control, Paradromics’ Connexus BCI is advancing speech restoration, and innovative research at the intersection of AI and neuroscience is transforming how we decode speech and motor functions.

This issue’s Case Study Spotlight features Muse S Athena, a groundbreaking wearable that integrates EEG and fNIRS for real-time cognitive training and brain health optimization. Developed by Interaxon, Muse S Athena represents a major leap in consumer neurotechnology, providing AI-driven neurofeedback for focus enhancement, sleep optimization, and workplace performance. Beyond that, we cover Subsense’s $17M raise for non-surgical BCIs, Vivani’s strategic spin-off, and new research on wrist-movement decoding for more precise brain-controlled prosthetics. Join us as we explore these breakthroughs, funding updates, and thought-provoking insights shaping the future of neurotech!

⚡️Neurotech Newsflash

Deep Tech: Europe's Strategic Bet for Technological Autonomy: A report by Lakestar and partners reveals that deep tech now accounts for nearly a third of European VC investments (€15B in 2024). However, reliance on U.S. funding raises concerns about long-term autonomy. Stronger domestic support is needed to maximize breakthroughs in BCIs, neuroimaging, and computational neuroscience. (Read more)
NeuroPace Secures $65M to Expand Brain-Responsive Neuromodulation for Epilepsy: NeuroPace has announced a $65M public offering to advance its FDA-approved RNS system, a brain-responsive neurostimulation technology designed to detect and prevent seizures in real time. (Read more)
Real vs. Imagined Navigation: How the Brain Maps Both: A Nature study reveals that the brain encodes real and imagined navigation similarly, using hippocampal theta oscillations. This suggests memory and imagination share a neural foundation, advancing BCIs for assistive navigation, VR training, and rehabilitation. (Read more)
Vivani to Spin Off Neurostimulation Business, Focus on GLP-1 Implants: Vivani Medical (Nasdaq: VANI) is spinning off Cortigent, its neurostimulation division, to focus solely on GLP-1-delivering implants. Cortigent will continue developing brain implants for restoring body functions, while Vivani advances its NanoPortal drug implants. The spin-off will be executed through a Form 10 registration, allowing Vivani shareholders to participate in Cortigent’s future. (Read more)
Synchron Integrates Nvidia’s AI for BCI Control: Synchron has integrated Nvidia’s AI into its brain-computer interface, enabling users with paralysis to control their environment using only their thoughts. Unveiled at Nvidia GTC, this advancement leverages Holoscan for faster, more accurate brain signal decoding. As "cognitive AI" advances, ethical concerns around privacy and autonomy arise. (Read more)

💰Notable Funding

Subsense Raises $17M to Develop Non-Surgical Nanoparticle-Based BCI: Emerging from stealth, Subsense is pioneering a bidirectional brain-computer interface that enhances brain connectivity without surgery. (Read more)
Brain.Space raises $11M in Series A to advance brain data-driven mental modeling and neurotech innovation. (Read more)
Piramidal (YC W24) secures investment to advance AI-driven EEG analysis for enhanced neurological care. (Read more)
Motif Neurotech picks up grant to develop brain-computer interface (Read More)

🧠 Neurotech Trends:

Decoding Wrist Movements for More Accurate BCIs: A study published in Biomimetics has improved BCI accuracy by decoding wrist flexion and extension movements using EEG data from multiple brain regions. Researchers achieved 90.68% accuracy in classifying bilateral wrist movements, which could significantly enhance brain-controlled prosthetics and neuromorphic computing. This breakthrough underscores the importance of analyzing diverse brain frequency bands for more precise neural interfaces. (Read more)
GPUs Go Biological: The Rise of Living Neuron Compute: Biological Black Box (BBB) has emerged from stealth with Bionode, a computing platform that integrates lab-grown neurons with traditional processors. By leveraging neurons’ natural adaptability, BBB aims to create a low-power, self-optimizing alternative to GPUs, reducing AI training energy costs and improving efficiency. The company, backed by Nvidia’s Inception incubator, is already using its neural chips to enhance computer vision and large language models (LLMs). While still in early stages, biological computing could reshape AI hardware, offering a hybrid ecosystem alongside silicon and quantum computing. (Read more)
Restoring Speech with Brain Implants – Paradromics' Connexus BCI
Paradromics, an Austin-based neurotech company, is at the forefront of speech restoration for paralyzed individuals with its Connexus BCI. This BCI, implanted under the skull, uses 421 micro-wires to detect neuron activity and translate it into digital speech. The system aims to help individuals who have lost their ability to speak due to paralysis, allowing them to communicate through a computer in real-time. With the Connexus BCI Clinical Study set to begin in late 2025, Paradromics envisions a broader future for BCI technology, potentially addressing mental health disorders and neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease. The company’s approach underscores a growing shift in neurotech—where biological challenges are met with engineering-driven solutions to improve quality of life. (Read more)
AI-Powered Speech Mapping for Real-Time Conversations: Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in collaboration with Princeton Neuroscience Institute and NYU Langone, have developed a computational framework that deciphers how the brain processes speech in real-world conversations. Using electrocorticography (ECoG) and AI speech models, the study tracked over 100 hours of brain activity, revealing how different brain regions process sounds, speech patterns, and word meanings in sequence. This model outperforms previous approaches in predicting neural responses during natural dialogue. The findings could enhance speech recognition technology and aid individuals with communication disorders. (Read more)

📘 Neurotech Articles:

AI-Enhanced BCI Helps Paralyzed Man Control Robotic Arm for Months
Researchers at UC San Francisco have developed a brain-computer interface (BCI) that allowed a paralyzed man to control a robotic arm using only his thoughts—and it remained functional for seven months without major recalibration. Traditional BCIs typically work for only a few days before needing adjustments. This breakthrough was made possible by an AI model that adapts to shifts in brain activity, improving precision over time. By first training on a virtual robotic arm, the participant refined his movements before transitioning to the real robotic arm, where he successfully picked up and moved objects, opened a cabinet, and even held a cup under a water dispenser. The study, published in Cell, marks a significant step toward real-world applications of BCIs to enhance independence for people with paralysis. Researchers now aim to improve the system’s speed and test it in home environments. (Read more)
Cognixion's Axon-R: AI-Powered AR Headset for Locked-In Syndrome Patients
Cognixion has launched clinical trials for Axon-R, a non-invasive BCI headset designed to help individuals with locked-in syndrome communicate. Unlike invasive BCIs like Neuralink, Axon-R uses EEG to detect brain activity through the skull, eliminating the need for surgery. The headset integrates AI, machine learning, and AR, displaying a floating UI that refines user choices based on brain responses. It personalizes communication, preserving users' conversational styles and enabling even those who cannot move their eyes to interact. This marks a breakthrough in accessible neurotechnology, offering new hope for individuals with severe paralysis. (Read more)
Robotics and Spinal Stimulation Restore Movement in Paralysis: Scientists at NeuroRestore (EPFL/CHUV/UNIL) have developed an approach that combines rehabilitation robotics with spinal cord stimulation to restore movement in people with spinal cord injuries. Led by Grégoire Courtine and Jocelyne Bloch, the team integrated an implanted spinal cord neuroprosthesis with robotic rehabilitation devices, delivering precise electrical pulses that synchronize with movement. In a study with five participants, the system enabled sustained muscle activation, even improving voluntary movement after stimulation was turned off. The technology was successfully tested with treadmills, exoskeletons, and stationary bikes, demonstrating seamless integration with widely used rehabilitation systems. Beyond clinical trials, participants used the system to walk with a rollator and cycle outdoors, highlighting its real-world impact. This innovation presents a more dynamic, engaging approach to recovery and could redefine mobility restoration after paralysis. (Read more)

🌐 Neurotech Edu. and Events:

Virtual BR41N.IO Designers' Hackathon (Online)
📅 Date: May 3–4, 2025
Why Attend the Event?
Join the BR41N.IO Designers' Hackathon, a hands-on competition where developers, engineers, students, artists, and scientists collaborate to create Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) applications.
Link to register: Register here
Neural Interfaces 2025
📅 June 12–14, 2025 | Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA
Why Attend the Event?
Join Neural Interfaces 2025, the premier conference on neurotechnology, BCIs, and neuromodulation, bringing together scientists, engineers, clinicians, and industry leaders to advance the field.
Link to register: Register here

🎬Case Studies

🎬 Case Study Spotlight: Muse S Athena – Advancing Cognitive Fitness with EEG and fNIRS

In this edition's case study spotlight, we examine the Muse S Athena, a brain-sensing wearable that combines Electroencephalogram (EEG) and Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to provide real-time cognitive insights and training. Developed by Interaxon, Muse S Athena represents a significant evolution in consumer neurotechnology, bridging the gap between brain research and everyday cognitive fitness.

Overview: Muse S Athena is the first consumer wearable to integrate EEG and fNIRS technology, enabling users to measure brain activity and cerebral blood oxygenation in real-time. This dual-sensor system offers a deeper understanding of cognitive effort, focus, and mental resilience, empowering users to optimize their brain health. By leveraging AI-driven neurofeedback and insights from Muse’s Foundational Brain Model (FBM)—trained on over 80,000 EEG sessions—Athena personalizes brain training experiences, making advanced neuroscience accessible for everyday cognitive fitness, sleep optimization, and mental endurance development.

Use Case Highlights:

AI-Powered Cognitive Training: Muse S Athena transforms cognitive fitness by providing real-time neurofeedback using EEG and fNIRS. This combination enables precise monitoring of brain function, guiding users to enhance their focus, resilience, and endurance. A key feature is the interactive neurofeedback game, where users control an owl’s flight using only mental effort, reinforcing engagement and cognitive control.

Enhancing Focus and Mental Endurance: EEG technology in Athena tracks neural oscillations, helping users maintain prolonged concentration. Meanwhile, fNIRS monitors prefrontal cortex oxygenation, providing insights into mental workload and cognitive fatigue. This synergy allows users to develop stronger attention spans and reduce distractions over time.

Sleep Optimization and Recovery: Beyond cognitive training, Muse S Athena functions as an advanced sleep tracker. By integrating EEG and SpO₂ monitoring, it delivers precise sleep insights and detects early signs of sleep disorders like apnea. The Digital Sleeping Pills feature aids in deeper rest, promoting overall brain recovery and long-term cognitive health.

Workplace Performance and Neuroergonomics: Athena supports professionals in high-stress environments by tracking cognitive load, helping optimize productivity and prevent burnout. By offering personalized insights into mental strain, the device aids in improving workplace efficiency and decision-making.

Cognitive Aging and Neuroplasticity Research: With the growing prevalence of neurodegenerative conditions, Athena serves as a proactive tool for cognitive health. Its fNIRS capabilities help track brain vascular changes, supporting interventions for age-related cognitive decline.

Target Audience: Muse S Athena is designed for a wide range of users, including

Cognitive fitness enthusiasts looking to enhance focus, resilience, and mental endurance.
Researchers and clinicians utilizing EEG and fNIRS for neurotechnology studies and mental health assessments.
Professionals in high-performance fields seeking cognitive load optimization and stress management tools.
Individuals interested in proactive brain health, including those aiming to mitigate cognitive decline through targeted interventions.

Key Partnerships: Muse collaborates with leading research institutions such as MIT, Harvard, and the Mayo Clinic to advance neurotechnology applications. With over 200 third-party research studies validating its efficacy, Muse has built one of the largest EEG databases, driving the evolution of brain health solutions.

Leadership Team: Interaxon, the company behind Muse, is spearheaded by CEO Jean-Michel Fournier. Under his leadership, Muse has evolved from a meditation-focused product to a full-spectrum cognitive fitness platform, redefining brain health through AI-powered insights and dual-sensor neurofeedback technology.

For more information about Muse S Athena and how it is shaping the future of cognitive fitness, visit Muse by Interaxon.

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