Hustler Words – While much of the venture capital world fixates on artificial intelligence, a groundbreaking venture led by Max Hodak, co-founder and former president of Neuralink, is charting a different course. His startup, Science Corporation, has just secured a substantial $230 million in Series C funding, positioning itself at the forefront of the brain-computer interface (BCI) industry with an ambitious goal: to be the first to bring a BCI product to market. This latest capital infusion catapults Science Corp.’s post-money valuation to an impressive $1.25 billion, signaling strong investor confidence in its visionary pursuits.
The immediate focus for Science Corp. is its pioneering PRIMA system. This innovative technology centers around a micro-implant, reportedly smaller than a grain of rice, designed for ocular implantation. When paired with camera-equipped glasses, PRIMA is engineered to restore functional vision for individuals afflicted by advanced macular degeneration. The core assets of PRIMA were acquired from French firm Pixium Vision in 2024, with Science Corp. subsequently refining the technology and completing clinical trials initiated by its predecessor.
The clinical outcomes generated by Science Corp. are compelling. Across trials involving 47 patients in Europe and the U.S., a remarkable 80% demonstrated significant improvements in visual acuity, regaining the ability to discern letters, numbers, and even read words. Hodak underscored the profound impact of these results, telling hustlerwords.com in a December interview that, to his knowledge, this marked "the first time that restoration of the ability to fluently read has ever been definitively shown in blind patients." The device’s potential has even garnered mainstream attention, gracing the cover of Time magazine.
The regulatory pathway for PRIMA is rapidly taking shape. Science Corp. has submitted a CE mark application to the European Union and anticipates approval by mid-2026, paving the way for a continental launch. This timeline, the company asserts, would establish it as the inaugural BCI firm with a commercial product on the market. Germany is projected to be the initial market, leveraging its established mechanisms for early access to novel medical technologies. Concurrently, discussions with the U.S. FDA regarding regulatory approval are actively underway. Expanding its reach, Science Corp. is also extending the PRIMA trial program to encompass Stargardt disease and retinitis pigmentosa, inherited retinal conditions that are primary causes of vision loss in younger demographics.
The fresh capital will primarily fuel the commercialization efforts for PRIMA, alongside bolstering Science Corp.’s broader research and development portfolio. This includes an ambitious biohybrid neural interface program, which involves cultivating engineered neurons from stem cells onto a specialized waffle-like device designed to interface directly with the brain’s surface, fostering biological connections with existing neural circuits. Beyond neurotechnology, the company is also incubating a new division called Vessel, an organ preservation platform. Vessel aims to develop miniaturized perfusion technology, enabling organs to be transported via commercial flights or maintained by patients at home, moving beyond the traditional confines of ICU suites.
The Series C round attracted a diverse consortium of investors, blending both new and existing backers. Prominent participants include Lightspeed Venture Partners, Khosla Ventures, Y Combinator, and Quiet Capital. Notably, IQT, a non-profit investment firm focused on solutions for government organizations like the FBI and CIA, also contributed to the round. This latest funding brings Science Corp.’s total capital raised to an impressive $490 million, supporting its current team of 150 employees as they push the boundaries of neurotechnology and medical innovation.
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