NRFC backs mind-controlled tech as Synchron raises $308m

Melbourne Neurotech Synchron Raises $308 Million

Synchron, a neurotechnology company founded in Melbourne in 2016 by Nicholas Opie, Tom Oxley, and Rahul Sharma, is developing a brain implant to help people control devices using their thoughts. The company recently secured US$200 million (AUD$308 million) in a Series D funding round.

Funding Support from NRFC

The funding includes $54 million from Australia’s National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC).

Stentrode Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)

Synchron is creating a device called the Stentrode, which translates brain signals into digital commands without requiring open-brain surgery. The device is inserted through a small neck incision into the jugular vein and guided to a blood vessel near the motor cortex, the brain region controlling movement.

Once implanted, it detects neural signals generated by the patient’s thoughts. These signals are transmitted to a small antenna under the skin in the chest, which wirelessly connects to external devices like computers and smartphones.

Future Plans

The new capital will fund ongoing trials, support the upcoming commercial release of the Stentrode BCI system, and enable the company to hire additional engineers, neuroscientists, and operations staff.

“We’ve built the first non-surgical brain-computer interface designed for everyday life for people with paralysis,” said founder and CEO Tom Oxley.

Synchron aims to revolutionize accessibility for people with paralysis by delivering a practical, minimally invasive brain-computer interface.

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Business News Australia Business News Australia — 2025-11-07

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