Gestala is emerging as a notable player in brain-computer interfaces, outlining its strategy after securing an RMB 150 million (about $21 million) angel funding round. Founder and CEO Phoenix Peng discussed the company’s ultrasound-based BCI focus at Bank of America’s Breakthrough Technology Dialogue APAC in Singapore and in an interview on Bloomberg TV’s The China Show.
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The company positions its ultrasound-driven neuromodulation and BCI platform as an emerging niche within the broader neurotechnology sector, where only a few new entrants have appeared globally. Peng framed firms such as Merge Labs, linked to OpenAI’s Sam Altman, as both peers and potential collaborators, emphasizing a focus on patient outcomes and ecosystem-building over pure competition.
Gestala signaled plans to deploy the new capital toward clinical research, regulatory engagement, and prototype development, reflecting an R&D-heavy model in a high-barrier medtech segment. Effective use of this funding could extend the company’s runway for validating its technology and preparing for eventual commercialization, though neurotechnology timelines and regulatory hurdles remain significant.
Complementing the funding news, Gestala strengthened its scientific advisory board with the appointment of Professor Trevor Robbins, a highly cited Cambridge-based expert in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience. The company highlighted his leading global rankings, high H-index, and leadership roles at the University of Cambridge and the Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute.
Robbins expressed interest in collaborating with Gestala on focused ultrasound neuromodulation aimed at improving neural circuit function in psychiatric and neurological disorders. His involvement is expected to support rigorous study design and translational research, potentially enhancing Gestala’s ability to attract clinical partners, research collaborations, and future investment.
The company’s communications underscore a commitment to both product development and basic science, with an emphasis on ethical, non-invasive, and scalable solutions for mental health and neurological indications. This long-term R&D orientation may bolster Gestala’s intellectual property and evidence base, supporting future regulatory acceptance and differentiation versus competing neuromodulation approaches.
For the week, Gestala combined fresh institutional backing with enhanced scientific credibility, signaling a strategic focus on building both capital and expert support to advance its focused ultrasound BCI platform in a competitive neurotechnology landscape.