Elon Musk’s brain-computer interface startup, Neuralink, is planning a major expansion, with ambitions to perform 20,000 brain implant surgeries per year and generate at least $1 billion in annual revenue by 2031, according to a Bloomberg report citing investor documents. The company, founded in 2016, is valued at $9 billion and has already raised $1.3 billion in funding, including a recent $650 million investment round.
Three Implant Models in Development
Neuralink is developing three specialized brain implants:
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Telepathy: Enables direct brain-to-machine communication (targeting FDA approval by 2029).
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Blindsight: Aims to restore vision in blind patients (expected launch by 2030).
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Deep: Designed to treat neurological disorders like Parkinson’s and tremors.
The company projects $100 million in revenue from Telepathy by 2029, scaling up to $500 million+ by 2030 as Blindsight rolls out.
Human Trials Underway After FDA Approval
Neuralink began human trials in 2024 after resolving earlier FDA safety concerns. Currently, five paralyzed patients are using its implant to control computers and physical devices with their thoughts. The FDA granted Neuralink “breakthrough” status for both its speech restoration (May 2024) and vision-restoring devices (2023), accelerating regulatory pathways.
Expansion Plans: 5 Clinics, 10,000 Surgeries by 2030
The company aims to operate five large-scale neurosurgery clinics within six years, significantly increasing its surgical capacity. By 2030, Neuralink expects to perform 10,000+ implant procedures annually, positioning itself as a leader in the emerging neurotechnology market.