Precision Neuroscience Raises $102M to Challenge Elon Musk’s Neuralink in Brain Implant Race

In 2021, a team led by neurosurgeon and engineer Ben Rapoport embarked on an ambitious journey to bridge the gap between artificial intelligence and human thought. Precision Neuroscience was born with a clear focus: improving the lives of people with severe neurological conditions through brain-computer interfaces (BCI). Less than three years later, the company has now raised a $102 million Series C round, marking a critical milestone in its mission and positioning itself firmly alongside, if not against, Elon Musk’s Neuralink.

The latest round, led by General Equity Holdings, comes with notable participation from Steadview Capital, B Capital, and the Duquesne Family Office, headed by prominent investor Stanley Druckenmiller. With this funding, Precision Neuroscience’s total capital raised now stands at $155 million. The deal also follows a recently secured $93 million from a planned $100 million round just months prior—valuing the startup at approximately $500 million.

While brain implants are not new to neuroscience, recent breakthroughs in AI and hardware design have breathed new life into the field. Precision’s flagship device, the Layer 7 Cortical Interface, is central to this momentum. Measuring just a fifth the thickness of a human eyelash, this flexible, wafer-thin film is designed to conform to the brain’s surface and relay signals directly to a connected device. This relatively non-invasive implant works by capturing brain signals through thin-film electrodes, processing the data with a local unit placed between the skull and scalp, and then translating those signals into actions on digital devices.

A Physician-Led Vision vs. Neuralink’s Transhumanist Aspirations

Precision’s approach is deeply rooted in its clinical goals, which sets it apart from its largest competitor, Neuralink. Ben Rapoport, who previously co-founded Neuralink alongside Elon Musk, founded Precision with a different vision—prioritizing patient outcomes over the broader, more futuristic ambitions that Neuralink pursues.

“Neuralink has a fine goal and maybe a very important one,” Precision CEO Michael Mager remarked. “But it’s not our goal. We are a physician-led company, and our objective is to make a meaningful, positive difference in people’s lives.”

The rivalry is hard to ignore. Musk’s Neuralink, launched in 2016, has garnered immense attention with its lofty promise of human-AI augmentation, aiming to create a seamless interface that could one day enhance cognitive functions to rival artificial intelligence. Neuralink’s recent progress includes securing FDA approval for its N1 implant feasibility study, CONVOY, which tests brain-controlled assistive robotic arms. To date, Neuralink has raised over $685 million, making it the dominant force in the BCI market.

Yet, Precision has quietly built its foundation with a focus on immediate, practical solutions for patients with neurological disorders. The Layer 7 implant has already been temporarily tested on 27 neurosurgery patients, giving Precision access to one of the most diverse datasets in the BCI field. Mager asserts that the device’s less invasive design could eventually make it an outpatient procedure—potentially accelerating adoption in clinical settings.

The brain-computer interface market is still in its nascent stages, but its potential impact cannot be overstated. Morgan Stanley estimates that over 9 million people in the United States alone suffer from upper limb impairments and related neurological disabilities, representing a market valued at $400 billion. However, realizing that potential will take time. Morgan Stanley projects annual revenues from BCI devices to cross the $1 billion mark only by 2041.

Challenges abound, including a shortage of neurosurgeons skilled in implanting these devices, patient hesitation around brain surgery, and the high cost of implementation. Morgan Stanley estimates the devices could eventually cost between $25,000 and $60,000—excluding surgical and maintenance expenses. Reimbursement from healthcare systems remains uncertain, posing another significant barrier to widespread adoption.

Despite these hurdles, Precision’s investors are optimistic. Howard Morgan, chair of B Capital and a Precision backer, notes that advancements in AI and machine learning have finally unlocked the capability to interpret brain data in real time. “We’ve gotten to the point where it’s no longer too early [to invest],” he said. “We’re now poised to do really effective things clinically.”

The Road Ahead

While Neuralink dominates headlines with Musk’s bold proclamations about human-AI symbiosis, Precision Neuroscience is carving its own path as a physician-led company focused on clinical impact. Neuralink’s use of penetrating electrodes to achieve deeper brain access aligns with its long-term vision to enhance human cognition and prepare for a future shaped by advanced AI. Meanwhile, Precision’s minimally invasive approach targets the here and now: treating neurological disorders with solutions that are safe, scalable, and medically viable.

This rivalry reflects a broader trend among companies like Synchron, Paradromics, and others, each adopting their own stance on how invasive BCIs should be. Synchron, for instance, uses vascular implants to avoid direct brain contact, while Paradromics pursues a balance between deep access and safety.

“In the past decade, brain-computer interfaces have made tremendous strides, enabling people to control machines with their thoughts,” Rapoport explained. Companies may differ on what level of invasiveness is acceptable, but one truth remains: BCIs are no longer just theoretical.

Mager believes the practical, life-changing impact of Precision’s technology will speak for itself. “The data will speak for itself—the patient benefit will speak for itself,” he said.