Science Corp just closed a massive $230 million funding round, vaulting the brain-computer interface startup to a $1.25 billion valuation as it races to bring its vision-restoring implant to patients. The round signals surging investor confidence in neurotech beyond the Neuralink hype, with Khosla Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners betting big on founder Max Hodak's vision. For an industry where regulatory pathways are notoriously slow, the capital infusion gives Science Corp serious runway to navigate FDA approvals while competing head-to-head with Elon Musk's better-known rival.
Science Corp is making a bold play in the brain implant race. The company founded by Max Hodak, who previously co-founded Neuralink before parting ways with Elon Musk, just locked down $230 million in fresh capital. Sources familiar with the financing tell TechCrunch the round values Science at $1.25 billion post-money, marking one of the largest neurotech funding events of the year.
The timing is strategic. While Neuralink dominates headlines with its motor-control focused implants and recent human trials, Science Corp has been quietly advancing its own approach: a retinal prosthetic called Prima designed to restore functional vision to people with age-related macular degeneration. The device works differently than Neuralink's brain chip, sitting on the surface of the retina rather than penetrating deep into brain tissue.
Khosla Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners led the round, with participation from Science's early backers including Y Combinator. The investor lineup reflects growing mainstream VC appetite for medical devices that once seemed like pure science fiction. Khosla in particular has doubled down on biotech infrastructure plays, betting that brain-computer interfaces will move from experimental to standard-of-care within the decade.
