| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| How Coherence Neuro Started | Business Model of Coherence Neuro: Founded by Ben Woodington (medical device engineer and neurotech researcher) and Elise Jenkins (electrical engineer turned neuro-oncology researcher), both holding PhDs from University of Cambridge’s Bioelectronics Laboratory. The San Francisco-based team emerged from recognizing brain-computer interface technology—traditionally used for restoring communication and motor function—could revolutionize cancer treatment through bioelectric modulation. Developed SOMA-1 therapeutic BCI featuring wireless coin-sized implants that continuously monitor cancer bioelectric signaling and deliver targeted stimulation disrupting tumor growth in real time. Mission reflects fundamental reconceptualization: cancer represents system-state error requiring biological harmony restoration rather than external invader demanding destruction—treating aggressive cancers as manageable conditions through data-driven electrical interventions instead of reactive chemotherapy approaches. |
| Present Condition of Coherence Neuro | Coherence Neuro Secured $10 million seed funding led by Topology Ventures and Artesian with participation from Blackbird, Possible Ventures, XEIA Venture Partners, Jumpspace Ventures, Divergent Capital, SmartGateVC, Spacewalk VC, and prominent angels including Matt Krisiloff, Linhao Zhang, and Tim Shi. Preparing first human trials scheduled for 2027, with SOMA-1 implanted during tumor removal surgery most glioblastoma patients already undergo—adding minimal additional risk. Technology features fully implantable, MRI-safe design delivering targeted stimulation with zero patient burden. Over-ear wearable provides all-day power and memory, while SOMA app offers real-time insights, session history, and symptom tracking. Platform creates disease-focused data ecosystem that continuously refines itself—the more devices used, the smarter and more responsive systems become. Currently addressing glioblastoma, one of most aggressive brain cancers affecting 300,000 patients annually worldwide with median survival just 12-15 months despite comprehensive treatments. |
| Future of Coherence Neuro and Industry | The global brain-computer interface market valued at $3.21 billion in 2025 projects explosive growth to $12.87 billion by 2034 (16.7% CAGR), with invasive BCI segment growing fastest at 11.6% annually. Healthcare applications dominate with over 45% market share in 2024, driven by increasing neurological disorder prevalence. Medical end-users represent over 50% of market share projecting 16.9% growth rates through rising epilepsy, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease prevalence. Glioblastoma treatment market specifically grows from $3.72 billion to $7.87 billion by 2033 (8.68% CAGR), yet outcomes remain unchanged—90% of adult patients die within 24 months and five-year survival rates below 5%. Neurotech funding reached $2.3 billion across 129 deals in 2024 (up from $1.4 billion in 2023), representing 88% growth rate suggesting $4 billion trajectory for 2025. Cancer cells throughout body demonstrate electrical activity, opening doors to applications beyond glioblastoma including pancreatic, lung, and other difficult-to-treat cancers affecting 40% of humans during lifetimes. |
| Opportunities for Young Entrepreneurs | Coherence Neuro focuses on Bioelectric medicine represents massive opportunities as traditional cancer treatments exhaust improvement pathways—chemotherapy faces blood-brain barrier limitations, surgery cannot remove microscopic tumor cells, and radiation causes systemic damage. Therapeutic brain-computer interfaces solving one deadly challenge (glioblastoma’s 12-month death sentence) create platforms applicable across cancer types. Continuous monitoring addresses critical gap where current care relies on periodic MRIs detecting regrowth months after occurrence, yet real-time bioelectric feedback enables immediate treatment adjustments. Convergence of neurotechnology and artificial intelligence enables closed-loop systems learning from patient data and optimizing treatment protocols impossible through static therapies. Seven neurotech companies raised $100 million+ rounds in 2024, indicating investor patience supporting long-term development cycles therapeutic BCIs require. North America holds 40% global BCI market share supported by advanced oncology infrastructure and strong clinical adoption of novel therapies, creating optimal commercialization environment. Research confirms no single cancer care company exists because processes involve numerous moving parts—yet platforms capturing biological data previously impossible solve unified treatment challenges. |
| Market Share of Coherence Neuro | Coherence Neuro is Operating in nascent therapeutic BCI sector where cancer applications remain virtually unexplored despite brain-computer interface technology maturing for communication and motor restoration. Glioblastoma affects 3.21 per 100,000 people representing 47.7% of all malignant brain and CNS tumors, with incidence rising due to aging populations and improved diagnostics. Currently competing against traditional oncology approaches—surgical resection, radiation therapy, temozolomide chemotherapy—offering limited benefit with outcomes unchanged since temozolomide’s 1999 FDA approval. Novocure’s tumor-treating fields demonstrate electrical modulation effectiveness yet require external headcaps and backpacks creating lifestyle disruptions limiting adoption. First-mover advantage developing fully implantable therapeutic BCI specifically for cancer treatment positions company capturing market before competitors establish similar platforms. Healthcare BCI applications dominating 45%+ market share validate commercial viability of medical neurotechnology versus consumer applications. |
| MOAT (Competitive Advantage) | World-class founding team of Coherence Neuro with Cambridge PhD credentials in bioelectronics and neuro-oncology providing deep technical expertise competitors cannot easily replicate. Full-stack platform creating closed-loop, bi-directional system that listens to electrical cues evolving as diseases progress and nudges them back toward healthier states using electrical stimulation—unprecedented approach in oncology. Fully implantable, MRI-safe design eliminates external device burdens hindering Novocure adoption, addressing desperate patient population already paying for electrical cancer treatment despite cumbersome forms. Continuous real-time monitoring captures biological data previously inaccessible through periodic MRI scans spaced months apart, enabling immediate treatment adjustments preventing irreversible regrowth. SOMA-1 embeds during tumor removal surgery most patients already undergo, adding minimal additional risk while delivering therapies directly with precision impossible through systemic chemotherapy facing blood-brain barrier limitations. Platform learns from device usage data, becoming smarter and more responsive over time—creating data advantages and treatment optimization capabilities competitors starting later cannot match without years of clinical deployment. |
| How Coherence Neuro Makes Money | Coherence Neuro: Device sales of SOMA-1 therapeutic BCI systems to hospitals and oncology centers treating glioblastoma patients. Subscription revenue from SOMA app providing real-time insights, session history, and symptom tracking enabling ongoing patient monitoring. Revenue from over-ear wearable providing all-day power and memory supporting implanted system functionality. Potential licensing of bioelectric modulation intellectual property and closed-loop algorithms to medical device manufacturers. Future expansion beyond glioblastoma into pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, and other difficult-to-treat malignancies demonstrating electrical activity—leveraging same platform architecture across oncology applications. Professional services supporting clinical implementation, physician training, and treatment protocol optimization. Data analytics revenue of Coherence Neuro from aggregated patient outcomes informing treatment refinements and demonstrating clinical value to payers. Reimbursement from insurance providers and healthcare systems seeking better outcomes than current 15-month median survival and 90% two-year mortality rates. International expansion as regulatory approvals obtained beyond initial markets, capturing global glioblastoma treatment spending projected $7.87 billion by 2033. |
I’m Araib Khan, an author at Startups Union, where I share insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, and business growth. This role helps me enhance my credibility, connect with professionals, and contribute to impactful ideas within the global startup ecosystem.
