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Global Neurotech Overview and Business Applicat...

Hayato Waki
December 22, 2022

Global Neurotech Overview and Business Applications

This slide presentation provides an overview of the world's leading neurotech companies, their paths to business applications, and the challenges they have faced and the solutions they have found.

These slides are based on primary information from actual startup founders and university researchers through NeurotechJP (https://neurotechjp.com), a media specializing in neurotech.

#BCI #neurotech #business

Hayato Waki

December 22, 2022
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  1. Table of Contents 1. Self-introduction 2. Neurotech overview 3. Neurotech

    market size (Global) 4. Neurotech applications around the world 5. Analysis on leading neurotech companies 6. Challenges in neurotech business applications 7. Neurotech in Europe 8. End
  2. Hayato Waki Co-Founder/CTO @ Stealth Startup (USA) Product Manager @

    DATAFLUCT (Japan) , etc. Now Software Engineer @Neurons Inc (Denmark) Founder/Editor @NeurotechJP Past link link link
  3. A media specialized in neurotechnology. In addition to interviews with

    startup founders and researchers who are active on the cutting edge of the neurotechnology field, we also publishes trends and other articles, as well as cutting-edge reports. neurotechjp.com Interviews more… Articles
  4. Predict customer responses, attention and behavior in seconds through neuroscience

    and our AI tool. AI-focused platform neuromarketing company (HQ: Denmark). We provide SaaS (+R&D) that predicts the customersʼ response (emotion, attention, etc.) of any advertisements based on a large amount of eye tracking and EEG data. neuronsinc.com client "Predict". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCS6-ACvj1s
  5. About this Slide The content of this slide contains the

    author's personal views and predictions. Please note that these views are not necessarily correct, although they are based on the consideration of all information available.
  6. Neurotech can be divided into 10 categories as follows See

    "10 Technologies Representing Neurotech" for more information on each category. Neurotech categories
  7. Main scope in this slide In this slide, we are

    primarily making statements to the following categories
  8. Compiled from data from 1,200 companies and 150 investors. Reference:

    Neurotech Analytics Investment Digest 2021/Q2 Actual investment in the neurotech market 2010-2020 Neurotech Investment Scale (Global) The total for the last 10 years $30B The investment amount in 2020 $7.3B
  9. Reference: Neurotech Analytics Investment Digest 2021/Q2 Investments in the neurotech

    market by country 2021 Latest Neurotech Investment Scale (Global) 647 companies in U.S. $24.23B In Japan $0.37B
  10. $205M $105M $51M $107M Neuralink Series A Series B Series

    C IPO $53M $54M Kernel $127M electroCore $125M $111M MindMaze $150M $347M InSightec Phase of Top Tier Companies (Global) *As of June 2022
  11. EU "Human Brain Project" (2013) China 🇨🇳. "China Brain Project"

    (2016). USA 🇺🇸 "Brain Initiative" (2013) Japan 🇯🇵 Moonshot. (2014) Israel "Israel Brain Technologies." (2011) Projects by Country
  12. One of the largest communities in the world ( 100+

    countries, 18,000+ members) - Events - Learning content - Job board neuromatch academy: Online courses for students neuromatch conference": Online events (worldwide) Community
  13. Current Status of Neurotech Companies Categorization of the Top 450

    Neurotech Companies Reference: Neurotech Analytics Investment Digest 2021/Q2
  14. Use Cases with BCI Medical applications • Recovery of sensory

    function • Recovery of motor function • Communication • Brain-driven wheelchair • More... Non-medical aplications • Web Browsing • Teaching and Learning • Security and Authentication • Games & Entertainment • art • Meditation, Concentration, Sleep • More...
  15. Medical applications Recovery of sensory function Example: Cochlear implants for

    the hearing impaired Communication Cursor and keyboard operation is possible with BCI for people with limb impairments Recovery of motor function Example: Prosthetic limbs for the people who are paralyzed or with amputated limbs Brain-driven wheelchair Command to move the wheelchair selected and operated by BCI
  16. Non-medical applications Explore Google Earth using BCI “Scroll", "Select", "Back"

    Select these commands by mind Run games and entertainment using BCI With the motion in mind, Play the game "Tetris Improve student concentration and performance using BCI Using equipment from Neurosky, Inc. Improved student attention during exercise Art manipulated by the Brain "The Ascent": A person with a EEG device and a herness can be suspended/lowered in the air depending on the level of concentration. Apply EEG biometrics to security issues The characteristic alpha wave obtained from the EEG signal is used as biometric signature for identification Meditation based on EEG EEG is measured, and analyze whether the brain is calm or active
  17. • More than 20 neurotech companies exhibited. • Trending in

    the wellbeing and healthcare sectors. • Many companies used neuromodulation (a technology that stimulates nerves to make improvements). • Many In-Ear devices were seen at BCI. • Many companies developed hardwares to acquire neural activity for EEG. Summary Trends from CES2022
  18. BCI: Measure neural activity and realize certain behaviors by mind

    Neuromonitoring: Measure neural activity Neurofeedback: Measure/visualize neural activity and improve it in real time Neuromodulation: Stimulate neural activity • Almost half of the companies use neuromodulation (a technology that stimulates nerves to make improvements). • Some companies offer devices not only for research and medical use, but also for general consumer use that have already released • In addition to companies using Neurofeedback to improve meditation and productivity, many companies combined Neurofeedback with VR. Company Category Trends from CES2022 Company category Cognitive assessment
  19. • Few companies offer only software such as AI, and

    many offer their own devices. • Among them, many companies use headsets to measure and stimulate. • In addition, more companies offer In-Ear devices in the form of earbuds, and many are aiming to popularize consumer devices that can be worn easily. Trends from CES2022 Device Category Devices Headset Implant Wrist-band Others
  20. Companies looking to enter the neurofeedback and BCI field need

    to measure/use neural signals. Many companies realized their own devices to acquire EEG, as they are intended for consumers. Trends from CES2022 Neural signal Category Neural signal Category
  21. IDUN Technologies Country: Switzerland Established: November 2017 Employees: 11 -

    50 Total funding: $ 4.5M (Seed) Category: BCI Investors: Venture Kick(Lead), Sony Product / Service IDUN Technologies is a startup that provides In-Ear BCI and a dedicated platform "Guardian". The EEG data from the BCI is noise-processed using proprietary hardware and then sent to a proprietary cloud for high-resolution, high- sample-rate, long-time EEG monitoring. The company's platform includes proprietary BCI, hardware, and cloud computing for signal processing algorithms, as well as an API accessible to each customer. Currently, the company's platform is being used by several companies, including Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda, for use cases such as sleep disorder elucidation and treatment, hearing health, and mindfulness. Company Pickup ① Their BCI device (Image: twitter) Platform ”Guardian” (Image: Website) (as of 2022.1)
  22. Wisear Country: France Established: September 2019 Employees: 11 - 50

    Total funding: $1.4M (Pre-Seed) Category: Software/ BCI Investors: Techstars (Lead), Kima Ventures, Paris Business Angel Product / Service Wisear is a startup that works with a number of companies to develop a variety of neurotech-related software and devices with the mission of "bringing us humans and computers closer than ever before and making this neurotechnology technology available to millions of people through everyday products rather than devices that are only found in laboratories." The company provides a wide range of support for companies interested in neurotech, including demo, prototyping, manufacturing, and market entry. In addition to providing proprietary In-Ear devices, the company has superior, patent-pending AI technology. Until now, newcomers to the market have had to build both hardware and software from the outset, but with the company's support, they will have a low hurdle to market entry. In-Ear BCI (Image: Website) At CES2022 Company Pickup ② (as of 2022.1)
  23. Healium Country: USA Established: 2015 Employees: 1 - 10 Total

    funding: $1.4M Category: Neurofeedback Investors: MassChallenge(Lead), Stadia Ventures Product / Service Healium is the world's first virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) platform that uses brain waves and heart rate, and is a startup that offers wearable products for consumers. The Healium AR/VR uses biometric information obtained from the Apple Watch and the company's own EEG device to display the user's emotional parameters on VR/AR. Unlike regular neurofeedback, the application on immersive VR/AR allows users to self-manage more effectively to relieve stress and anxiety. Healium VR and EEG devices (at CES) Company Pickup ③ Healium VR (as of 2022.1)
  24. Alphabeats Country: Netherland Established: 2019 Employees: 1 - 10 Total

    funding: $2.3M (Seed) Category: Neurofeedback Investor: Lumo Labs(Lead) Product / Service Alphabeats is a healthcare startup that uses the power of music and biometric information to relax and reduce stress. In addition to a base function that allows users to meditate using music, the company's application acquires biometric information during meditation, visualizes the relationship between the music and the user, and provides a recommendation engine that optimizes the music according to the user's mental state at the time. The company has many partners who are developing EEG devices and other biometric devices to provide neurofeedback using richer biometric information, in addition to the ability to obtain heart rate and other biometric information from the Apple Watch. Alphabeats Introduction Video Company Pickup ④ (as of 2022.1)
  25. iMediSync Country: South Korea Established: 2012 Employees: 11 Total Funding:

    Private Category: BCI Product / Service iMediSync offers a proprietary EEG device, iSyncWave, as well as AI for brain wave analysis and a cloud-based platform. iSyncWave, with 19 electrode channels, can acquire EEG and heart rate data. The iSyncWave, which combines 19 electrode channels, can acquire EEG, heart rate, and other data, and provides diagnostic results in just 10 minutes via the cloud platform. The rich functionality of the device also allows for clinically accurate results. The device is not limited to measuring brain waves, but can also perform LED-based stimulation. This can also activate mitochondria and microglia in the brain to improve brain function. iSyncWave Company Pickup ⑤ (as of 2022.1)
  26. Comparison with the previous year (2020) Prev year This year

    ▪ Many BCI companies. ▪ Most BCI companies offered non-invasive types. Head-mounted devices made up the majority. ▪ In neurofeedback, there was a particular focus on mental health, with many objectives to improve the quality of sleep and meditation. ▪ Many neuromodulation companies. ▪ Increasing number of companies with strength in software technology. ▪ In terms of devices, there were several invasive companies, and many non-invasive companies have In-Ear type devices. ▪ In addition to mental health for healthy people, there were many products for dementia and depression patients. ▪ Many neurotech companies that have already gained media exposure or recognition in the community were represented. ▪ In terms of countries, relatively more Chinese companies were exhibiting. ▪ Companies that are already well-known in the area, such as those that have already raised major funds, were not exhibitors, and many of exhibitors have just launched their products. ▪ Many companies exhibit at CES in search of customers and collaborators. ▪ In terms of countries, there were many Korean companies exhibiting. Products Exhibiting companies CES2022 Insights from NeurotechJP perspective
  27. Analysis on Leading Neurotech Companies 05 1. How they are

    born 2. Turning points 3. Mainstream monetization 4. User acquisition strategy BCI Company Main
  28. Mission: "Making neuroimaging measurement”. At the beginning of the company's

    history, it explored invasive methods, but now specializes in non-invasive methods. Provides Kernel Flow, a headware device using TD-fNIRS. Currently partnering with several companies to conduct PoC using Flow. The startup consists of a former Boeing hardware engineer and a former Netflix software engineer. Provides the EEG device CROWN, which leads you to a flow state when you use the dedicated app "Neurosity Shift App". The company also provides an SDK, which is used by many individual developers. A pioneering consumer BCI company active since the 2000s. EEG devices and SDKs available for purchase starting at $100, as well as a chip infrastructure sales business. The company has expanded its business not only in the U.S., but also in Europe and Asia. Blueberry Toronto, Canada-based startup offering a small device using fNIRS and a dedicated monitoring platform. The device can be attached to eyeglasses and can measure energy, stress, etc. It can be worn all day and enables long-term monitoring. More... Startups interviewed at NeurotechJP
  29. Customer Non-invasive BCI company founded in 2016 by serial entrepreneur

    Bryan Johnson. Started with a base of Bryan's equity capital of $54M and raised $107M. Invasive BCI company founded in 2016 by Elon Musk and others. Started with Elon's equity capital base of $100M, now totaling $373M. Non-invasive BCI company founded in 2015 by Ramses Alcaide etc. The company was spun out from a lab at the University of Michigan and raised $9.8M. Non-invasive BCI company founded in 2017 by Sid Kouider etc. The company was spun out from ENS, the institution in France, and sold to Snap in 2022. Non-invasive BCI company founded in 2007 by Arial Garten etc. Development began in 2003, and the company raised several rounds of funding: total $39.9M. Non-invasive BCI company founded in 2004 by Stanley Yang etc. The initial product was developed in 2009 after two rounds of funding. Invasive BCI company founded in 2015 by Matt Angle, PhD (Neuroscience). Raised a total of $58.3M, including an initial funding of $15M from DARPA,etc. Invasive BCI company founded in 2016 by Thomas Oxley, PhD (Neuroscience), who is also a interventional neurologist. Total amount raised: $125M. How leading companies are born in BCI
  30. Owned capital type Spin-out type The company begins with a

    large equity capital of the founder and has a multi-billion dollar including additional rounds. Therefore, there are tremendous development resources. A company spins out from a university or educational institution's laboratory. Because of research funding and prior research from the institution, the company can safely provide products to the market relatively. [Summary] How leading companies are born in BCI Product-based type Mainly focused on software/hardware. Product development/release ahead of time and successful first round of funding. Most common in non-invasive companies. Neuroscience-based type Researchers, who are licensed physicians and neuroscience PhD holders, develop new technologies, primarily invasive. A company aims of commercializing research technology.
  31. Customer Non-invasive BCI company founded in 2016 by serial entrepreneur

    Bryan Johnson. Started with a base of Bryan's equity capital of $54M and raised $107M. Invasive BCI company founded in 2016 by Elon Musk and others. Started with Elon's equity capital base of $100M, now totaling $373M. Invasive BCI company founded in 2015 by Matt Angle, PhD (Neuroscience). Raised a total of $58.3M, including an initial funding of $15M from DARPA,etc. Invasive BCI company founded in 2016 by Thomas Oxley, PhD (Neuroscience), who is also a interventional neurologist. Total amount raised: $125M. - Realization of Kernel Flow using TD-fNIRS. - Bryan's name value. - A major press release made by Elon. - Development of a robot to perform implants. - Elon's name value. - Collaboration with DARPA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense. - Tweets directly decoded thoughts by ALS patients with Stentrode implanted in their brains in December 2021. - First FDA approval among companies offering commercial invasive BCI. Turning points of leading companies Name Company profile Turning points
  32. Non-invasive BCI company founded in 2015 by Ramses Alcaide etc.

    The company was spun out from a lab at the University of Michigan and raised $9.8M. Non-invasive BCI company founded in 2017 by Sid Kouider etc. The company was spun out from ENS, the institution in France, and sold to Snap in 2022. Non-invasive BCI company founded in 2007 by Arial Garten etc. Development began in 2003, and the company raised several rounds of funding: total $39.9M. Non-invasive BCI company founded in 2004 by Stanley Yang etc. The initial product was developed in 2009 after two rounds of funding. - Raised $3K in crowdfunding for Enten headphone EEG device. - Innovation Award at CES2020. - Sold to Snap, Inc. - Versatility which allows not only general users but also researchers and developers to use it through the SDK. - "necomimi" buzz (Japan). - "Star Wars Force Trainer" buzz (Global). Turning points of leading companies Name Company profile Turning points
  33. [Summary] Turning points of leading companies ① Founders who already

    have name value Foundations by already well-known founders such as Elon's Neuralink and Bryan's Kernel ② Industry's first attempt The industry's first BCI-based tweet by Synchron, the industry's first FDA approval, and more. ③ Eventsʼ Awards Winner of NextMind's CES2020 Innovation Award,etc. ④ Success in crowdfunding Crowdfunding conducted by Neurable, Inc, etc.
  34. Monetization (including speculation) ① Paid PoC with companies PoC with

    companies that wants to do business in a certain domain in conjunction with the neurotech domain. ② Selling solutions, API and platform subscriptions to companies Provides APIs/SDKs and platforms that enable neurotech on a subscribe basis. Sell-off type solution sales. ③ Device/Solution alliance for neurotech companies Business alliance to provide semiconductors and software to neurotech companies. ④ Sales of devices to general consumers (to C) Online sales of devices.
  35. Monetization (including speculation) ① Paid PoC with companies PoC with

    companies that wants to do business in a certain domain in conjunction with the neurotech domain. Collaboration with Aim Lab. Acquires brain activity during game play and verifies differences in the activity between professionals and begineers. Collaboration with Nissan Motor Co. Attaches BCI to the driver and detects EEG responses that occurs before hazardous behavior, so the system predicts behavior and supports safe driving.
  36. Monetization (including speculation) ② Selling solutions, API and platform subscriptions

    to companies Provides APIs/SDKs and platforms that enable neurotech on a subscribe basis. Sell-off type solution sales. Provides a platform that brings together proprietary hardware, an AI-based cloud, and APIs. Used by several companies, including pharmaceutical company Takeda, for the elucidation and treatment of sleep disorders, hearing health, mindfulness, etc. Sells VR solution (device + app) to reduce employee stress and anxiety to Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company and others. Sells AI platforms that predict customer sentiment and attention to ads and other media.
  37. Monetization (including speculation) Provides In-Ear BCI and AI technologies to

    leading BCI companies such as OpenBCI and Neurable. Provides the chip infrastructure governing biometric signal processing to a number of BCI companies. ③ Device/Solution alliance for neurotech companies Business alliance to provide semiconductors and software to neurotech companies.
  38. Monetization (including speculation) ④ Sales of devices to general consumers

    (to C) Online sales of devices. Sells EEG devices [now discontinued]. Provides Unity SDK. Sells EEG devices. Provides mobile apps. Sells EEG devices and provides SDKs. Sells EEG devices and provides SDKs.
  39. User acquisition strategy Crowdfunding Multiplication with trends StarWars "Force". Media

    dissemination Podcasts 'Neurotech Pub'. Study book sales Recog -nition Call to Action Join Discord community Purchase of services and devices
  40. Problem: When providing services to general consumers, it is difficult

    to find a use case that solves a must-have need, and the service ends up being a needless service. Problem ①: Cannot find use cases for general consumers ”What can we do with brain activity data?” For example, the case of "moving the cursor with just a thought" is quite effective for medical purposes for people with ALS, etc., but is not a Must-have for general consumers who can use their fingers.
  41. Problem ①: Cannot find use cases for general consumers 【Actual

    solutions @Neurosity】 Provides the necessary devices and SDKs and lets consumers find the use cases themselves. Alex, CTO at Neurosity See also: NeurotechJP article "Unlock our potential with a well designed & powerful BCI | Alex Castillo at Neurosity” Many developers have already developed their own apps using our SDK and the CROWN EEG device, and we believe that as more people develop and test their own apps using the SDK, they will find use cases that people will want to use every day.
  42. Current must-have use cases in the authorʼs mind Use BCI

    as a new controller for AR and VR areas. ①XR x BCI News on the Basis Snap acquire NextMind (2022) MindPortal has selected in YC (W21) OpenBCI "Galea" has been Awarded at AWE (2022) Meta acquires CTRl-Labs (2019) Meta is developing a Smartwatch with EMG function planned (2023) Meta develops MMG devices corporated with "CoolSo" (2022)
  43. learning data EEG data Eye-tracking data input Images & Videos

    Biometric Prediction Analytical AI Current must-have use cases in the authorʼs mind Deployment of AI technology using brain activity data as a SaaS tool ② Data Business Neuromarketing = Biometric analysis of emotions and eye tracking with content and application to marketing Ex output Prediction of emotion and eye tracking with content API Provision SaaS offerings
  44. Current must-have use cases in the authorʼs mind Deployment of

    AI technology using brain activity data as a SaaS tool Cloud platform for brain activity From: Runelabs web site Ex ② Data Business
  45. The author's current must-have use cases Using brain activity data

    to create a digital twin of the human brain. Neurotwin From: Neurotwin web site Creates a personalized hybrid brain model to design an optimal stimulation protocol for transcranial electromagnetic stimulation (TMS) for Alzheimer's disease. ② Data Business
  46. • When ordinary consumers hear the words "brain waves" or

    "brain activity," they often have a hard time imagining what they can do. The technology of "moving a cursor with telekinesis" also sounds like science fiction, and the reliability of the technology is a little low. • People who measure brain activity for the first time tend to find brain activity measurement as scary as a physical examination. (The author's impression of the actual experiment.) Problem ② "What are brain waves? Dangerous one?" Problem: The general public often has many fears and questions about brain waves and brain activity because they are not familiar with them.
  47. Problem ② "What are brain waves? Dangerous one?" 【Actual solutions

    @Neurosky】 Use expressions that are easy for everyone to understand and provide market training Stanley, CEO at Neurosky At 2000s, it was difficult to convince people to use EEG measurement products without a clear application. So we decided to offer an application based on something everyone already knew: the "Force" from Star Wars. Instead of using the expression "brain waves," I started using the expression "the Force" more often. That way, people knew that the Force was imaginary and they started to be interested in our product. I call this market training. See: NeurotechJP article "A pioneering BCI company in the market for 10+ years "NeuroSky" | Stanley Yang"
  48. Problem ③ Dilemma between functionality and miniaturization in daily use

    of BCI [Problem] In designing a BCI for daily use by the general public, a slim and casual design is necessary while ensuring sufficient functionality. Functions are nice, but... I can't wear it every day. Ex: OpenBCI Looks good to me, but... Insufficient functionality. Ex: NeuroSky BCI with sufficient functionalities and casual design
  49. Blueberry provides fNIRS-based measurement devices and a dedicated monitoring platform.

    Problem ③ Dilemma between functionality and miniaturization in daily use of BCI 【Actual solution 1 @ Blueberry】 The application is to measure brain activity throughout the day. Developed a small device that can be worn on eyeglasses. Blueberry began by understanding how the human mind changes over a day. In order to capture signals that represent the human mind and mental activity, the sensor must be small enough to operate in a variety of environments. fNIRS was ideal for this use case as a sensor that could be worn throughout the day. While EEG is better suited for immediate response-based measurements, fNIRS was able to measure changes in brain activity for long time. Also, the main difference between the Blueberry device and the EEG device is that it is modular and can be worn in a small format. John, CEO at Blueberry See: NeurotechJP article "All-day wearable. Small-sized bio-sensing BCI "Blueberry" | John D. Chibuk"
  50. Kernel develops the TD-fNIRS-based device called "Kernel Flow". The team

    is working on the full stack, from laser-based detection of photons coming from the brain to algorithms such as machine learning and AI. Problem ③ Dilemma between functionality and miniaturization in daily use of BCI 【Actual solution 2 @ Kernel】 Non-invasive, highly accurate brain measurement. Full stack development from device to software. One of the most challenging aspects of developing Kernel Flow was that there was no existing hardware available, and we had to build our own custom integrated circuits and chips to scale the time domain technology. If you look at existing fNIRS, such as spin-outs from university labs, they often specialize in a particular area, such as hardware development, and collaborate with others on non-specialized work around experiments and software. We are able to bring those specialties together as one team, which allows us to make multiple attempts quickly. Ryan, CTO at Kernel See: NeurotechJP article " Making brain measurements mainstream: Interview with CTO of Kernel | Ryan Field "
  51. Neurosity's device "Crown" has a CPU in itself and is

    as powerful as a Macbook Air. In addition, it is designed to be slim. Problem ③ Dilemma between functionality and miniaturization in daily use of BCI 【Actual solution 3 @ Neurosity】 Trial and error with mannequins, taking into account potential use cases. We did not create the device without second thoughts. First of all, we began to think about “How do we provide value to people?” "How do we get people to use the device?”. With the products and ideas we were creating, we began designing from scratch, using mannequins and taking into account the position of the sensors on their heads. Alex, CTO at Neurosity See also: NeurotechJP article ” Unlock our potential with a well designed & powerful BCI | Alex Castillo at Neurosity”
  52. 【Summary】 Challenges in neurotech business implementation marketing use case functionality

    design import ant Develop services with functionality and design (UX) for the use cases that need to be addressed. Need to market in a way that everyone can easily understand.
  53. See also: Neurotech Analytics Investment Digest 2021/Q2 Number of Neurotech

    Companies by Country (2021) European Neurotech Companies In Europe 49 companies
  54. [France] Sold to Snap [Spain] Neurotwin Study [Germany] PoC with

    LiverPool FC [UK] Selected by YC [France] Exhibited at CES2022 [Switherland] Exhibited at CES2022 [Netherlands] Exhibited at CES2022 [Spain] Joint research with Nissan Leading European Neurotech Companies
  55. Thank you for taking a look at the slides on

    "Global Neurotech Overview and Business Applications". Please note again that the contents include the author's opinions predicted from the stories and data from the field. If you are interested in NeurotechJP or Neurons, please contact us at [email protected].