Top 10 Neuroscience Companies by Market Cap to Watch in 2026

Executive Summary

LONDON, February 19, 2026 — Neuroscience is experiencing an unprecedented investment surge, with brain-computer interface companies alone attracting $856 million in the first half of 2025, according to HSBC research. The global neuroscience market is projected to reach $55.18 billion by 2031 at a 6.05 percent CAGR, while the brain-computer interface segment is forecast to reach $6.16 billion by 2032, according to Coherent Market Insights. From Neuralink's $9 billion valuation to NeuroPace's $515 million public market capitalization, the sector spans invasive and non-invasive brain interfaces, neuropharmaceuticals, and neuromodulation devices. As we reported in Why Hospitals Scale Health Tech in 2026, Led by Philips and SAP, the demand for innovative health solutions is accelerating the adoption of advanced neuroscience products. This article profiles the ten neuroscience companies best positioned by market capitalization and valuation to define the industry's trajectory in 2026, examining their technologies, clinical progress, and market implications.

Key Takeaways

• Combined valuations across the top ten neuroscience companies exceed $20 billion, reflecting massive investor confidence in brain technology.
• Brain-computer interfaces represent the dominant category, with six of ten companies developing neural interface technologies.
• Three companies — Neuralink, Paradromics, and Synchron — have successfully implanted BCIs in human patients, with a combined total exceeding 30 implant recipients.
• Two publicly traded pure-play neuroscience companies — MapLight Therapeutics and NeuroPace — achieved milestone profitability or near-profitability in 2025.
• Minimally invasive approaches are gaining ground, with Synchron's endovascular Stentrode and Precision Neuroscience's thin-film electrodes challenging traditional surgical implants.

Top 10 Neuroscience Companies by Market Cap to Watch in 2026

Individual Company Profiles

1. Neuralink — Invasive Brain-Computer Interface

Neuralink, founded in 2016 by Elon Musk, raised $650 million in a Series E round in June 2025 at a $9 billion pre-money valuation, led by ARK Invest, Sequoia Capital, and Founders Fund, according to Neuralink's official announcement. The company has raised $1.29 billion across six rounds. By late 2025, Neuralink had implanted its N1 chip in 12 human patients across four countries through its PRIME Study in the United States and CAN-PRIME trial in Canada, with plans to reach 20 to 30 additional implant recipients. Additional investors include Thrive Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Valor Equity Partners, and the Qatar Investment Authority. The N1 implant uses flexible polymer threads thinner than a human hair, inserted by a surgical robot, to record neural signals that allow paralyzed patients to control digital devices through thought alone. As reported by Sacra Research, Neuralink's valuation nearly doubled from $5 billion in 2023, reflecting accelerating clinical milestones. The company employs approximately 624 staff and is investing in hardware R&D, manufacturing scale-up, and expanded patient access.

2. Paradromics — High-Data-Rate Brain-Computer Interface

Paradromics achieved a reported valuation of $8.5 billion by April 2025 and completed its first human implant on May 14, 2025 at the University of Michigan, according to CNBC. The Austin-based company has raised approximately $88.7 million across 12 rounds plus $18 million in government grants from NIH and DARPA. Its Connexus brain-computer interface records from over 1,600 microelectrodes with information transfer rates exceeding 200 bits per second — the highest in the industry. Paradromics received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in 2023 and FDA approval for its Connect-One clinical trial in November 2025, as reported by STAT News. The company's focus on speech restoration for severely paralyzed patients with ALS, stroke, and spinal cord injuries addresses an estimated therapy market of $200 to $400 billion, according to Morgan Stanley. Key investors include Prime Movers Lab and NEOM Investment Fund. The company employs 50 to 60 staff and targets commercialization before 2030.

3. MapLight Therapeutics — CNS Drug Development

MapLight Therapeutics completed its initial public offering on NASDAQ under the ticker MPLT in October 2025, raising $296.3 million at $17 per share, with the stock opening at $19 for a first-day market capitalization of approximately $787 million, according to MapLight Investor Relations. Prior to its IPO, the company raised $511 million in venture capital, including a $372.5 million Series D in July 2025 — the largest private biotech round that month — led by Forbion and Goldman Sachs Alternatives. MapLight's circuit-specific neuroscience platform develops therapies for schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease psychosis, and autism spectrum disorder. Its lead candidate, ML-007C-MA, is an oral muscarinic agonist competing with Bristol Myers Squibb's Cobenfy, the first novel schizophrenia drug in over 30 years. Phase 2 ZEPHYR trial data for schizophrenia is expected in H2 2026. As reported by BioPharma Dive, analysts have assigned a consensus "Strong Buy" rating with an average price target of $31. The company is based in Redwood City, California with approximately 100 employees.

4. NeuroPace — Brain-Responsive Neuromodulation

NeuroPace, traded on NASDAQ under the ticker NPCE, reached a market capitalization of approximately $515 million by February 2026, representing 54 percent growth during 2025, according to Public.com market data. The Mountain View, California company reported preliminary fiscal year 2025 revenue of approximately $100 million, a 25 percent year-over-year increase, with its RNS System revenue reaching $81.7 million. NeuroPace's Responsive Neurostimulation System is the only FDA-approved closed-loop brain stimulation device for drug-resistant epilepsy, continuously monitoring brain activity and delivering targeted electrical stimulation to prevent seizures before they occur. As reported by StockTitan, the company issued 2026 revenue guidance of $98 million to $100 million with 20 to 22 percent core growth. Key 2026 catalysts include Medicare reimbursement increases of 43 percent for initial implant procedures, FDA PMA supplement filing for idiopathic generalized epilepsy, and the launch of AI-enabled software products. Gross margins are expected to improve to 81 to 82 percent.

5. BrainsWay — Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

BrainsWay, traded on NASDAQ under the ticker BWAY, achieved a market capitalization of approximately $500 million by February 2026 after its stock price grew 167 percent year-over-year, according to Stock Analysis. The Jerusalem-based company reported full-year 2024 revenue of $41 million with 29 percent growth and achieved its first profitable year with $2.9 million in net income. Revenue guidance for 2025 was raised to $51 million to $52 million. BrainsWay's proprietary Deep TMS technology uses H-coil arrays to deliver non-invasive magnetic pulses to deep brain structures, treating major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and smoking addiction without surgery or medication. In November 2025, the company received FDA clearance for adolescent depression treatment in patients aged 15 to 21, as reported by BrainsWay Investor Relations. The installed base exceeds 1,600 Deep TMS systems globally, with a $65 million backlog in remaining performance obligations. Insurance coverage is expanding rapidly, with policies from Optum, Premera, and Highmark covering over 180 million lives.

6. Blackrock Neurotech — Neural Arrays and BCI

Blackrock Neurotech, valued at approximately $350 million following a transformative $200 million investment from Tether in April 2024, holds the distinction of being the most experienced human BCI company in the world, with its Utah Array implanted in over 40 of the approximately 50 people globally who have received brain-computer interfaces since 2004, according to Blackrock Neurotech. The Salt Lake City company has accumulated over 30,000 patient-days of real-world BCI usage data — more than any competitor. Patients using Blackrock's technology have achieved typing speeds of 90 characters per minute and decoded 62 words per minute from thought alone. The company's MoveAgain system received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation, fast-tracking its path to commercial approval for movement restoration in paralyzed patients. Its next-generation Neuralace technology features a flexible chip with over 10,000 channels, compared to 96 on the current Utah Array. In May 2025, Blackrock partnered with Cognixion to distribute the Axon-R non-invasive BCI headset, expanding beyond implants. As previously analyzed, BCI technology is advancing rapidly across both invasive and non-invasive modalities.

7. Synchron — Endovascular Brain-Computer Interface

Synchron raised $200 million in a Series D round in November 2025 led by Double Point Ventures, bringing total funding to $345 million, according to Business Wire. The New York-based company has implanted its Stentrode BCI in 10 patients across US and Australian clinical trials with zero device-related serious adverse events at 12 months. Synchron's defining innovation is its endovascular approach — the Stentrode is inserted through the jugular vein via a standard catheter procedure taking approximately two hours, requiring no open-brain surgery. The COMMAND Trial at Mount Sinai, University of Buffalo, and University of Pittsburgh met its primary safety endpoint in October 2024. As reported by MedTech Dive, the company is the first BCI to integrate Apple's BCI-HID protocol, enabling patients to control iPads, iPhones, and Vision Pro headsets using only thought. Key investors include ARCH Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Bezos Expeditions, and the Qatar Investment Authority. Synchron is accelerating pivotal trials for commercial launch and building a next-generation whole-brain interface with an AI-powered cognitive division in New York.

8. Science Corp — Multi-Modal Neural Interfaces

Science Corp raised $104 million in the first half of 2025, positioning it as part of the BCI investment surge that saw $856 million flow into brain-computer interface companies during that period. Founded by Max Hodak, a co-founder of Neuralink, Science Corp is developing multi-modal neural interfaces with a primary focus on vision restoration technologies through retinal implants. The company's approach combines optogenetics, advanced microelectronics, and machine learning to create interfaces that can both read and write neural signals. Based in Alameda, California, Science Corp is pursuing a platform strategy that extends beyond vision to encompass broader sensory and motor applications. The company's retinal technology aims to restore functional sight for patients with degenerative eye diseases, addressing a substantial unmet medical need affecting millions globally. Science Corp represents the intersection of consumer electronics engineering and clinical neuroscience, applying Silicon Valley hardware development methodologies to medical device challenges.

9. Precision Neuroscience — Minimally Invasive Brain-Computer Interface

Precision Neuroscience, founded by Benjamin Rapoport, a former co-founder of Neuralink, has raised approximately $102 million to develop minimally invasive brain-computer interfaces using high-density thin-film electrode arrays, according to Precision Neuroscience. The New York-based company's Layer 7 Cortical Interface uses a flexible microelectrode array thinner than a human hair that conforms to the brain's surface without penetrating tissue — a critical differentiation from competitors that use penetrating electrodes. The device can be implanted through a cranial micro-slit approximately the width of a coin edge, significantly reducing surgical complexity and risk compared to traditional BCI implantation. Precision's technology has demonstrated the ability to record from over 4,000 electrodes simultaneously during intraoperative human testing. The company is positioned between fully invasive approaches like Neuralink and fully non-invasive methods, offering a balance of high signal quality with reduced surgical risk. As neuroscience startups continue attracting substantial funding, Precision represents the growing emphasis on safety and accessibility in BCI design.

10. The Biological Computing Company — Biological Computing

The Biological Computing Company, founded in 2025, represents a radical new frontier in neuroscience by integrating living biological neurons with artificial intelligence systems to enhance computational capabilities. As reported by Tom's Hardware, the San Francisco-based company is exploring how living neurons can be harnessed to improve computer vision and generative video applications, potentially delivering performance that surpasses purely silicon-based approaches. While still in its early stages, the company's biological computing approach addresses fundamental limitations of traditional semiconductor architectures by leveraging the brain's inherent efficiency — the human brain operates on approximately 20 watts while performing computations that would require megawatts from conventional hardware. The company's research sits at the convergence of organoid intelligence, computational neuroscience, and AI, a nascent field that has attracted growing attention from institutional investors and government research agencies. According to Grand View Research, the broader neuroscience market supporting such innovations is projected to reach $65.2 billion by 2030.

Technologies Driving the Trend

The fusion of biological systems with digital technology marks a defining trend in neuroscience. Three technological forces are converging to accelerate the sector. First, invasive BCI technology has progressed from laboratory research to clinical reality, with Neuralink, Paradromics, Synchron, and Blackrock Neurotech collectively implanting devices in over 60 human patients. Second, non-invasive neuromodulation has achieved commercial scale, with BrainsWay's Deep TMS systems installed in over 1,600 locations and NeuroPace's RNS System reaching $100 million in annual revenue. Third, neuropharmaceutical innovation exemplified by MapLight Therapeutics is applying circuit-specific approaches to develop the first novel psychiatric drugs in decades. As reported by Live Science, wireless brain-machine interfaces that employ light to communicate with the brain represent an emerging fourth wave. These technological advances are incentivized by increasing demand in medical applications, consumer electronics, and neuro-rehabilitative therapies, while government funding from NIH and DARPA continues to de-risk early-stage research.

Market and Industry Implications

The implications of these developments extend across healthcare, technology, and defense sectors, influencing stakeholders from institutional investors to patient advocacy groups. The BCI market alone attracted $856 million in the first half of 2025 — exceeding the $562 million invested across all of 2024 — signaling a dramatic acceleration in investor confidence. Morgan Stanley has estimated the BCI therapy market at $400 billion, encompassing motor restoration, mental health treatment, and cognitive enhancement applications. The emergence of three publicly traded pure-play neuroscience companies — NeuroPace, BrainsWay, and MapLight Therapeutics — provides institutional investors with direct exposure to the sector for the first time. According to Global Industry Analysts, the global neuroscience market will see a structural shift towards integrative technologies. The competitive dynamics are fostering collaborative efforts among tech companies and medical institutions, as evidenced by Blackrock's partnership with ClearPoint Neuro for automated BCI surgery and Synchron's integration with Apple's accessibility ecosystem.

Neuroscience Market Statistics — 2024 to 2032 Forecasts

What Comes Next — 12 to 36 Month Outlook

The next 12 to 36 months will be pivotal for the neuroscience sector as multiple companies approach regulatory and commercial milestones simultaneously. Neuralink and Paradromics are expected to expand their human implant programs significantly, with Neuralink targeting 20 to 30 additional patients and Paradromics advancing its Connect-One pivotal trial following FDA approval. Synchron is preparing for its pivotal trial to support commercial launch of the Stentrode. MapLight Therapeutics' Phase 2 ZEPHYR schizophrenia trial data expected in H2 2026 could validate the circuit-specific approach to psychiatric drug development. NeuroPace's potential FDA approval for idiopathic generalized epilepsy would substantially expand its addressable patient population. BrainsWay's adolescent depression clearance opens a new demographic segment. The emergence of closed-loop deep brain stimulation systems that deliver neurostimulation based on precise neural feedback is set to redefine patient care. However, these projections carry uncertainty and depend on regulatory developments, clinical trial outcomes, reimbursement decisions, and market readiness. As the sector matures, the distinction between medical treatment and human enhancement will increasingly challenge regulatory frameworks and societal norms.

References

1. Neuralink — Series E Announcement
2. CNBC — Paradromics First Human Implant
3. STAT News — Paradromics FDA Trial Approval
4. MapLight Therapeutics — IPO Announcement
5. NeuroPace — FY 2025 Results
6. BrainsWay — Investor Relations
7. Blackrock Neurotech
8. Synchron — Series D Announcement
9. Precision Neuroscience
10. Grand View Research — Neuroscience Market
11. Coherent Market Insights — BCI Market
12. Mordor Intelligence — Neuroscience Market
13. Live Science — Light-Based Brain Interfaces
14. Global Industry Analysts — Neuroscience Market