Blackrock Neurotech

Blackrock Neurotech offers brain-computer interfaces (BCI) and related clinical solutions. Its technologies assist people with paralysis and other neurological disorders to be able to eat, drink, send emails, and operate robotic arms just by thinking. Almost all BCIs implanted in humans have used Blackrock’s technology—specifically the NeuroPort Electrode, which the company claims to be the longest-lasting intracortical electrode. The company also claims that its product, “Our,” enables accurate brain typing at up to 90 characters per minute with 94% accuracy.

Its BCI, “NeuroPort Array,” was used in 28 of the 30 BCI implants done worldwide as of October 2023. The company claims that it has equipped over 1,000 labs (as of October 2023) with its neurotechnology devices. 

Its reported upcoming product developments as of October 2023 included new surgical solutions, flexible biocompatible materials, depth electrodes, more channels, and enhanced AI processing.

Key customers and partnerships

The company partnered with neurotech company Phantom Neuro, which delivers a high-accuracy system for life-like control of robotic orthopedic technologies. Through the partnership entered in April 2022, Blackrock is expected to contribute to research and development for Phantom Neuro’s patent-pending Phantom X system, which offers patients accurate, nearly real-time control of current and next-generation assistive devices, including prosthetics and exoskeletons. 

Blackrock Neurotech partnered with data science company AE Studio in May 2022 to obtain key software and machine-learning services that improve the user experience for BCI patients impaired by paralysis. AE Studio was expected to develop improved machine-learning models and algorithms for the software in its AE decoder solution to minimize calibration and training requirements in neural decoding. 

Funding and financials

As of October 2023, the company’s latest funding was raised in November 2021 from a convertible note round. This followed a USD 10 million venture round led by Christian Angermayer's re.Mind Capital in May 2021. The funding was expected to be used to further expand the number of programs on its platform and to continue the development of its technology platform.