Elon Musk’s brain implant startup, Neuralink, has secured $600 million in a recent funding round, pushing the company’s valuation to $9 billion pre-money, according to a report from Semafor citing anonymous sources.
While Semafor did not disclose the investors involved, the funding marks a significant increase from Neuralink’s previous capital raise of $43 million in November 2023, when the company was valued at roughly $5 billion as of June 2023, according to Reuters.
Neuralink did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside regular business hours.
This new report aligns with earlier coverage by Bloomberg, which indicated in April that Neuralink was targeting a $500 million raise with an $8.5 billion pre-money valuation.
Progress and Milestones
Last year, Neuralink received “breakthrough device” designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a notable step forward in regulatory approval. To date, three individuals have received Neuralink implants.
In early May, a nonverbal patient shared a video demonstrating how he uses a Neuralink implant to edit and narrate YouTube videos solely through brain signals, showcasing the potential impact of the technology.
What The Author Thinks
Neuralink’s latest funding round underscores growing confidence in brain-computer interface technology, which could revolutionize how humans interact with machines and augment their abilities. However, ethical considerations and safety concerns remain paramount as the technology advances. Balancing innovation with responsibility will be key to ensuring that neural implants benefit users without unintended consequences.
Featured image credit: ApolitikNow via Flickr
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