Companies developing brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies certainly stepped up their activities this year with several starting to implant their devices into humans. After decades as an experimental technology pursued exclusively in research settings, BCI devices could be just a few years away from entering clinical practice – and investors are paying attention.

Precision Neuroscience Corp. recently raised $102 million in a series C funding round for its AI-powered brain–computer interface (BCI) technology, the Layer 7 Cortical Interface. The funding comes as interest in the technology heats up as clinical trials show that BCI devices are capable of transforming the lives of people with disabilities.

Inbrain Neuroelectronics SL closed a $50 million series B financing round to advance clinical trials for its graphene-based brain-computer interface therapeutics platform. The company also secured additional funding from Merck KGaA GmbH which will go towards developing the technology for application across both central and peripheral nervous systems.