Precision Neuroscience, a New York-based biotech startup and one of the leading rivals to Elon Musk’s Neuralink, is transforming how we understand and interact with brain–computer interfaces (BCIs).

Its mission: to empower people with paralysis to control computers using only their thoughts — and to do so less invasively than many imagine.

Rethinking Invasiveness: Brain Data Is Surface-Level

According to Dr. Ben Rapoport, cofounder and chief science officer of Precision Neuroscience, a key misunderstanding about BCIs is their level of invasiveness.

“Many people have the impression that the data that we care about is sort of everywhere inside [the brain],” Rapoport told Business Insider. “But the most important matter — gray matter — is right at the surface.”

Rather than requiring deep-brain penetration, Precision Neuroscience uses a thin-film implant embedded with 1,024 electrodes that sits gently atop the motor cortex.

This design allows patients with paralysis to control cursors, type, browse the internet, and even play games — all by thought.

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FDA-Cleared Progress and Clinical Trials

Since launching in 2021, Precision Neuroscience has raised $155 million and received FDA clearance in April 2025 for part of its wireless BCI system.

The company has tested a temporary version in over 40 patients, with human trials for its permanent system expected soon.

“We want to get people back to a level of functional capacity where they can be independent, economically self-sufficient, and even hold a job,” Rapoport said.

The company is also part of the Implantable BCI Collaborative Community, an initiative developed in partnership with the FDA to responsibly advance BCI technology.

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Modulating Brain Activity with Invasive BCI

A recent narrative review published by the National Library of Medicine emphasized the growing promise of invasive BCIs. The paper details how direct modulation of neural activity through implanted devices has helped restore motor and speech functions.

However, it also calls for robust ethical standards, long-term safety assessments, and scalable designs for widespread use — priorities that align with Precision Neuroscience’s development roadmap.

Precision Neuroscience Looking Ahead

While Neuralink dominates headlines with talk of merging humans and AI, Precision Neuroscience is focused on therapeutic outcomes, not transhumanist fantasies.

The company's path is rooted in enabling real-world applications, like restoring agency to those with paralysis.

“This isn’t a cure,” Rapoport clarified. “It’s a treatment. But it’s a powerful one.”

For further insights into the future of brain-computer interfaces, read the full PMC narrative review here.