Gestala Secures $84 Million to Pioneer Ultrasound-Based BCI Technology

Founded by Phoenix Peng and Tianqiao Chen, the startup has maintained an aggressive development schedule. Since January 2026, the company established dual headquarters in Shanghai and Chengdu, completed two major funding rounds, and recruited key personnel, including former Neuralink and Nano Retina experts. The company’s rapid scaling reflects an ambitious strategy to build an integrated platform that connects neuroscience with artificial intelligence, functioning as a so-called Neolab for life sciences.

The Shift to Ultrasound

Unlike invasive BCI approaches that rely on localized electrical recordings, Gestala focuses on functional ultrasound imaging and neuromodulation. This technique measures hemodynamic changes associated with neural activity, offering a potential pathway to influence deep brain circuits without the physical risks of traditional implants. The company is currently developing a multimodal brain foundation model to interpret these signals, with chronic pain serving as the primary target for its first clinical applications. Despite the substantial capital backing, the startup faces significant engineering hurdles, including the need to calibrate acoustic waves for diverse skull anatomies and the requirement to validate its AI models against clinical performance. Gestala plans to unveil its first-generation device by the end of 2026, with intentions to expand its operational footprint to Singapore or Hong Kong to facilitate international research collaboration.