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This Week in Startups

Brain-computer interfaces and the future of neural engineering with Dr. Benjamin Rapoport | E1682

This Week in Startups

Jason Calacanis

Technology

4.2 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 21 February 2023

⏱️ 54 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Precision Neuroscience’s Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer joins Molly to discuss how the brain communicates with the body (7:08) and the breakthroughs that allowed companies like Precision to exist. (12:52) Then, they discuss Precision’s founding principles, the process of getting FDA approval for its neural interface, and much more. (28:55)


(0:00) Molly kicks off the show

(1:27) Dr. Rapoport’s origin story

(7:08) How the brain communicates with the body

(11:22) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST

(12:52) Breakthroughs in neuroscience

(22:37) Contra - a commission-free marketplace for freelancers and independent creators. Get $500 off your first hire at https://contra.com/twist 

(24:06) The tension between public and private institutions

(28:55) The founding principles of Precision Neuroscience

(33:21) The Layer 7 interface and preparing for FDA approval

(40:39) LMNT - Get a free sample pack with any purchase at https://DrinkLMNT.com/TWIST

(42:07) Minimizing risk

(45:25) Interfacing with different areas of the brain

(47:06) Medical infrastructure and the business model of med-tech


CHECK OUT Precision Neuroscience: https://precisionneuro.io

FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis

FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

All right, everybody. Today we have a special and fascinating interview. Get ready to talk about

0:06.6

our brains. Joining me is the co-founder and chief science officer of Precision Neuroscience,

0:11.9

Dr. Benjamin Rappaport. We have a fascinating conversation about how our brains communicate,

0:17.8

the scientific breakthroughs that led to the founding of Neuralink, where he started doing this kind

0:23.0

of work, and then what led him to start a whole new company doing a different kind of brain

0:29.6

interface, Precision's non-invasive layer seven interface. It's basically we live in the

0:36.9

future as an interview about science that could have a profound impact on our lives. It's going

0:43.6

to be a fascinating show. Stick with us. This week in startups is brought to you by Squarespace.

0:49.2

Turn your idea into a new website. Go to squarespace.com slash twist for a free trial. When you're ready

0:56.2

to launch, use offer code twist again to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

1:02.4

Contra is a commission-free marketplace for freelancers and independent creators,

1:06.9

get $500 off your first hire at contra.com slash twist, and elements is a tasty electrolyte

1:14.0

drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don't. That means lots of salt and no sugar.

1:20.9

Get a free sample pack with any purchase at drinklmnt.com slash twist.

1:27.4

Dr. Benjamin Rappaport is with Precision Neuroscience, and I'm going to let him explain

1:34.3

what they're working on, but by way of background precision has raised $53 million to date

1:40.6

to come up with minimally invasive neurosurgical implants, right? I'm going to let you take it from

1:48.6

there. Welcome to the show. Thanks, Molly. Thanks for having me. It's a pleasure to be here.

1:52.5

So please tell me what you're working on with these brain implants.

1:55.5

Well, we're working on brain computer interfaces. This is the general term for the technology

2:00.6

that we're building, and yes, they are a form of brain implant, and they're designed to connect

2:08.0

the brain directly to computer systems as ways of helping to treat some forms of neurologic disorder

...

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