Nextmind is a technology company.
Nextmind has raised $5.0M across 1 funding round.
Nextmind has raised $5.0M in total across 1 funding round.
NextMind was a neurotechnology startup founded in 2017 that developed a noninvasive, AI-based brain-computer interface (BCI) wearable for mass-market use, enabling real-time control of devices like AR/VR headsets, games, and electronics using brain signals from the visual cortex.[1][2][3] The lightweight device clipped onto headbands or caps, used dry electrodes and machine learning to decode neural intentions into digital commands, solving the problem of cumbersome controllers by offering thought-based interaction ready in 30 seconds without gels or wires.[2][3] Targeted at consumers, developers, and AR/VR users, it shipped $399 DevKits in Q2 2020 with an SDK for custom apps, but was acquired by Snap on March 23, 2022, for undisclosed terms, raising $5.6M total prior.[1][2]
NextMind emerged from a stealth neuroscience lab project, debuting publicly at Slush in November 2019 and winning CES's Best of Innovation award in the AR/VR category in January 2020.[2][3] The team of researchers and brain specialists leveraged advanced neurophysiology to create the comb-shaped sensor, focusing on visual cortex signals for intuitive control.[3] Early traction included live demos at CES, rapid transition to DevKit shipments, and preorders, positioning it as a pioneer in consumer-grade BCI before Snap's acquisition integrated its tech into broader AR ecosystems.[1][2]
NextMind rode the exploding AR/VR wave, amplified by AI and neurotech convergence, enabling direct brain-to-digital interaction amid rising demand for immersive, hands-free experiences in gaming, productivity, and metaverses.[1][3] Its 2019-2020 timing capitalized on CES/Slush hype and pre-acquisition BCI buzz, aligning with market drivers like scalable AI integration, personalized neurotherapies, and consumer brain monitoring.[1] By proving noninvasive BCI viability, it influenced Snap's AR push (e.g., Spectacles), spurred competitors like Neurable, and broadened the ecosystem toward hybrid realities, with partnerships and acquisitions accelerating neurotech's shift from labs to mainstream hardware.[1][2]
Post-2022 Snap acquisition, NextMind's tech likely fuels AR innovations like thought-controlled lenses or social VR, evolving with AI advancements in signal precision and multi-modal BCIs.[1] Trends like edge AI, wearable neurofeedback, and metaverse scalability will shape its legacy, potentially expanding to wellness or automotive uses as regulatory hurdles ease. Snap's integration could amplify its mass-market impact, turning early DevKit wins into ecosystem-defining tools that redefine human-device symbiosis from a pioneering French startup's vision.[1][3]
Nextmind has raised $5.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Nextmind's investors include foobar.vc, Look Up Ventures.
Nextmind has raised $5.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $5.0M Seed in July 2018.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 1, 2018 | $5.0M Seed | foobar.vc, Look Up Ventures |