Gestala, a startup founded by Phoenix Peng, has secured $21.6 million in funding, marking a significant milestone in China’s brain-computer interface (BCI) sector. The investment round, co-led by Guosheng Capital and Dalton Venture, saw commitments exceeding $58 million and values the company between $100 million and $200 million. This funding will facilitate research and development, expand the team from 15 to approximately 35 employees, and establish a manufacturing facility in China.
Gestala aims to complete its first-generation prototype by the end of the year, just three months after its launch. This company focuses on non-invasive ultrasound-based BCI technology, which could revolutionize how neural activity is monitored and manipulated without surgery. In contrast to implantable systems, ultrasound can engage a more extensive area of the brain, addressing significant challenges to BCI adoption.
Meanwhile, Neuralink and Merge Labs, backed by OpenAI, are advancing similar technologies in the U.S. Despite the geopolitical climate, Peng expresses optimism for collaborative efforts between the U.S. and China in deep-technology research, recognizing the unique strengths each country brings to the table.