How can softer materials make implantable brain-computer interfaces safer, more stable and clinically useful? In this episode of The Business of Neurotech, Adam Fraser is joined by Dr Paul Le Floch, co-founder and CEO of Axoft, to explore how his materials science background led to Fleuron, a soft neural interface platform designed to reach deep brain regions while maintaining high-density recordings. Dr Le Floch explains why Axoft is initially focusing on disorders of consciousness, how the company is taking a stepwise path through FDA clearance and what its early clinical work revealed about turning novel biomaterials into medical devices. He also discusses the realities of raising a $55 million Series A, competing in a fast-moving BCI market, financing research through materials sales and learning to pitch a long-term vision as a scientist-founder. Tune in to learn what it takes to build an invasive BCI company focused on better materials, unmet clinical needs and patient impact.

Key Points From This Episode:

• [01:29] Dr Le Floch’s path from materials science at Harvard to founding Axoft.
• [03:21] Discover why the brain’s electrical complexity drew him into neuroscience.
• [04:57] Unpack how Fleuron’s softness aims to improve compatibility with brain tissue.
• [06:44] Explore why stable neural data links efficacy with reduced tissue disruption.
• [08:58] Compare invasiveness with signal quality and where Axoft sits on that continuum.
• [12:19] Find out why disorders of consciousness became Axoft’s first clinical focus.
• [16:26] Follow the roadmap from diagnosis and prognosis towards decoding communication.
• [18:12] Understand Axoft’s stepwise regulatory strategy for a temporary inpatient device.
• [20:15] He shares his experience working with the FDA in an emerging BCI category.
• [21:34] Uncover the clinical evidence and commercial plan behind Axoft’s Series A.
• [23:25] The clearance, manufacturing and clinical milestones needed for Series B funding.
• [25:14] Gain insight into why BCI’s difficult venture capital environment is still worth the risk.
• [28:47] Unpack Axoft’s strategy in a field of well-funded but complementary competitors.
• [30:12] Hear how materials sales fund research while providing partnership opportunities.
• [33:35] Why targeted stimulation that bridges devices and drugs is capturing his attention.
• [35:11] Learn how scientist-founders can move from research to vision-led application.
• [37:18] Final takeaways and how to learn more about Axoft and Dr Le Floch’s work.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr Paul Le Floch on LinkedIn

Axoft

Axoft on LinkedIn

Episode 5: Naveen Rao Talks Neurotech Market Dynamics

Episode 8: Nicolas Vachicouras Talks BCI Market Dynamics and Start Up Life

Episode 12: Matt Angle Talks Paradromics and BCI Market Dynamics

Mass General Brigham

FDA Breakthrough Devices Program

iBCI Collaborative Community (iBCI-CC)

Adam Fraser on LinkedIn

Omniscient Neurotechnology

The Business of Neurotech Podcast

How can academic brain-imaging research become a practical clinical tool for people with drug-resistant epilepsy? In this episode of The Business of Neurotech, Adam Fraser is joined by Jordan DeKraker, co-founder and CEO of BrainScores and a postdoctoral researcher at the Montreal Neurological Institute, to discuss how he went from hippocampal mapping to building an AI-enabled neuroimaging company. In their conversation, Jordan talks about how his personal experience with epilepsy sharpened the company’s focus, what it takes to package open-source science into trustworthy software and why clinicians still need to stay in the loop. They also discuss early-stage funding, regulatory and market-entry decisions, interoperability, explainable AI and the wider role of precision imaging across neurotech. Tune in for a look at the business decisions behind bringing brain AI from the lab into clinical care with Jordan DeKraker.

Key Points From This Episode:

• [01:21] Jordan’s path from hippocampal research to founding BrainScores.
• [05:08] Find out what HippUnfold revealed and why its potential matters.
• [07:25] Hear how Jordan’s epilepsy experience shaped the company’s first focus.
• [12:05] Meet the co-founders and see how their skills support the company’s vision.
• [13:43] Examine BrainScores’ non-dilutive funding and ambitions for venture capital.
• [15:19] Understand the software as a medical device model and its go-to-market plan.
• [17:46] Learn how BrainScores is testing the market and the role of feedback from clinicians.
• [19:53] Uncover what the company hopes to achieve with its open-source platform.
• [23:17] Understand why clinicians must remain accountable within an AI-assisted workflow.
• [25:33] Whether healthcare AI should augment expertise rather than replace it.
• [27:24] The model interoperability needed to integrate various data sources and tools.
• [31:21] Compare funding, capital and opportunities between Canada and the US.
• [34:45] Explore BrainScores’ roadmap beyond epilepsy into age-related cognitive decline.
• [36:29] He shares his view on the future of BCI and transcranial stimulation.
• [38:10] Where to follow Jordan’s research and the latest work from BrainScores.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Jordan DeKraker on LinkedIn

The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital)

BrainScores

BrainScores on LinkedIn

McGill University

HippUnfold

The Human Connectome Project (HCP)

Healthy Brains for Healthy Lives

Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation

Adam Fraser on LinkedIn

Omniscient Neurotechnology

The Business of Neurotech Podcast

For people who have lost the ability to speak, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) could open a new path back to communication. In this episode, Adam Fraser speaks with Matt Angle, founder and CEO of Paradromics, about the company’s 11-year journey to build a BCI that can restore communication for people who have lost it. Matt explains why moving more neural data is central to BCI performance and how Paradromics is approaching safety, durability and clinical translation. He breaks down why speech restoration is the company’s first clinical focus, then unpacks what could come next, including movement applications, mood biomarkers and AI-enabled communication. The conversation also explores the company’s move from Silicon Valley to Austin, Texas, as well as the regulatory, reimbursement, funding and commercial realities of building in deep tech, and what it takes to turn frontier neuroscience into a durable company. Listen in for a closer look at Paradromics’ journey and the technology, capital and strategic thinking shaping the future of BCI.

Key Points From This Episode:

• [01:31] Discover how Matt’s neuroscience background led him to found Paradromics.
• [03:18] Learn how BCI has shifted from pure science to an engineering challenge.
• [04:53] Hear why Matt has stayed in the CEO role 11 years into the journey.
• [07:34] Understand Paradromics’ focus on safety, durability and neural data.
• [08:29] Why moving more neural data is central to building better BCI systems.
• [14:00] Learn why speech restoration is Paradromics’ first clinical focus.
• [15:20] Explore the broader medical applications Paradromics may pursue next.
• [20:11] Find out why Paradromics moved from Silicon Valley to Austin, Texas.
• [22:25] Matt’s perspective on FDA engagement, regulation and reimbursement pathways.
• [27:26] Explore how Paradromics thinks about funding, competition and investor alignment.
• [33:28] Hear Matt’s view on IPO potential and the wider BCI ecosystem.
• [35:18] Why “invasive” is not always the best way to assess BCI risk.
• [39:29] Matt’s advice for founders building deep tech companies.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Derrick Matthew Buchanan on LinkedIn

Canada Neuro

Royal World Archive

Derrick Buchanan, Ph.D. Clinical Neuroscience

‘The complex landscape of TMS devices: A brief overview’

‘A visual and narrative timeline of US FDA milestones for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) devices’

‘Should rTMS be considered a first-line treatment for major depressive episodes in adults?’

‘Stanford neuromodulation therapy for treatment-resistant depression: a randomized controlled trial confirming efficacy, and an EEG study providing insight into mechanism of action and a potentially predictive biomarker of efficacy’

‘Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression’

Matt Angle on LinkedIn

Paradromics

Paradromics | Connexus

Matt Angle on Substack

‘CMS and FDA Announce RAPID Coverage Pathway to Accelerate Patient Access to Life-Changing Medical Devices’

Adam Fraser on LinkedIn

Omniscient Neurotechnology

The Business of Neurotech Podcast