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