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