Neuralink co-founder Max Hodak bets on a rice-sized vision implant as his startup races toward the first commercial BCI device.
A Major Funding Bet on Brain–Computer Interfaces
Science Corporation, the neurotechnology startup founded by Neuralink co-founder Max Hodak, has raised $230 million in Series C funding, pushing its valuation to about $1.5 billion.
The round underscores growing investor interest in brain–computer interface (BCI) technology — even as much of the venture world chases AI startups.
Key details:
- $230M Series C funding round
- $1.5B post-money valuation
- $490M total funding raised
Investors include Lightspeed Venture Partners, Khosla Ventures, Y Combinator, Quiet Capital, and government-focused investment firm IQT.
The funding will help Science Corp. push its flagship implant toward commercialization.
A Rice-Sized Implant That Could Restore Vision
Science Corp.’s near-term focus is PRIMA, a device designed to restore functional vision in people with advanced macular degeneration.
The implant is remarkably small.
- The microchip is smaller than a grain of rice
- It’s implanted in the eye
- It works alongside camera-equipped glasses
The system converts visual input from the glasses into signals that stimulate retinal cells, allowing patients to perceive images.
The technology itself originated elsewhere.
Science Corp. acquired the PRIMA assets from French company Pixium Vision in 2024, then refined the device and continued clinical testing.
Clinical Trials Show Early Promise
The startup reports strong results from early trials.
Across 47 patients in the U.S. and Europe, the company says:
- 80% experienced meaningful improvements in visual acuity
- Participants could read letters, numbers, and words
Hodak believes the results represent a milestone.
“To my knowledge, this is the first time that restoration of the ability to fluently read has been definitively shown in blind patients,” he previously said.
The device’s progress has also attracted public attention, even appearing on the cover of Time magazine.
Europe May Get the First Launch
Science Corp. is now preparing for regulatory approval.
The company has submitted a CE mark application in the European Union, targeting mid-2026 approval.
If approved on that timeline:
- Europe would become the first launch market
- Germany is likely the initial rollout location
Germany offers fast-track pathways for emerging medical technologies, making it attractive for early commercialization.
In the United States, discussions with the FDA are ongoing, though no approval timeline has been announced.
If successful, Science Corp. believes it could become the first BCI company with a product commercially available.
Expanding Beyond Macular Degeneration
The company is also expanding its clinical program.
Future trials will include patients with:
- Stargardt disease
- Retinitis pigmentosa
Both conditions are inherited retinal diseases and leading causes of vision loss among younger adults.
Success in those areas could dramatically expand PRIMA’s potential patient base.
Bigger Ambitions in Neural Technology
PRIMA is only part of Science Corp.’s broader research agenda.
The company is also developing a biohybrid neural interface, a system designed to combine electronics with biological cells.
The approach involves:
- Growing engineered neurons from stem cells
- Integrating them onto a waffle-like implant
- Allowing the device to form biological connections with brain circuits
This research could eventually lead to more advanced neural implants capable of deeper interaction with the brain.
A Side Bet on Organ Preservation
Science Corp. is also launching a separate initiative called Vessel.
The project focuses on organ preservation technology, specifically miniaturized perfusion systems.
The goal:
- Transport organs on commercial flights instead of specialized medical transport
- Potentially allow patients to maintain organs at home
Such technology could significantly expand the global organ transplant supply chain.
A Growing Neurotech Race
With 150 employees and nearly half a billion dollars raised, Science Corp. is positioning itself as a serious competitor in the neurotechnology race.
Companies like Neuralink and others are exploring brain–computer interfaces for neurological disorders, paralysis, and human–machine interaction.
But Science Corp.’s strategy is different.
Instead of starting with ambitious brain implants, the company is targeting a more focused medical application — restoring vision.
If PRIMA reaches market first, it could give Science Corp. a major head start in the rapidly evolving BCI industry.
TL;DR
Science Corp., founded by Neuralink co-founder Max Hodak, raised $230M to commercialize its PRIMA retinal implant, a chip smaller than a grain of rice designed to restore vision in patients with macular degeneration. The company expects potential EU approval by mid-2026, which could make it the first BCI company with a market-ready product.
