Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are having their moment in the spotlight. Much of the buzz circles around Elon Musk’s Neuralink, but it is just a flashy newcomer.
The real pioneer is Blackrock Neurotech, a company that’s been quietly leading the BCI revolution for nearly two decades.
While others are still in early trials, Blackrock’s technology has already changed lives. It’s helping people with paralysis regain movement, communicate with loved ones, and even control prosthetic limbs with their thoughts.
The company isn’t just experimenting with what’s possible; it’s delivering solutions that patients are using today.
So, what sets Blackrock apart? How is its BCI different from other players? And why is it considered the leader of this transformative space? Let’s understand.
From lab to real lives
Based in Salt Lake City, Blackrock Neurotech has been a pioneer in BCIs (devices that connect the brain directly to external systems). They are on a simple yet bold mission to help people regain lost abilities, like walking, talking, seeing, hearing, and feeling.
And they’re not just experimenting in labs. Blackrock’s implants have already helped patients:
- Control robotic arms to eat or drink independently.
- Type on a screen at 90 characters per minute using only their thoughts.
- Operate wheelchairs without moving a muscle.
- Even experience sensory feedback, like a fist bump that can actually be felt.
For patients who’ve lost independence due to ALS, spinal injuries, strokes, or degenerative diseases, that’s life-changing.
Blackrock Neurotech’s journey: From research to market leader
Blackrock’s roots trace back to the early 2000s at the University of Utah, where researchers developed the NeuroPort Array, first implanted in humans in 2004.
In 2008, Florian Solzbacher and Marcus Gerhardt co-founded the company (then called Blackrock Microsystems) to translate this breakthrough into real-world solutions.
As Florian puts it:
“Most people have the perception that implantable BCIs are still in the early days of research, but the fact is, our products are guided by safety… dating back to 2004… technology is ready to move out of the lab and into patients’ homes.”
Over time, Blackrock has grown from an academic spinout to a global BCI leader, delivering products like MoveAgain, Neuralace, and widely used NeuroPort arrays to researchers and clinics worldwide.
The flagship products
MoveAgain
This is Blackrock’s most advanced clinical BCI system. A tiny electrode array is implanted in the brain to pick up signals related to movement, which are then translated into commands for external devices.
The FDA has recognized MoveAgain with its prestigious Breakthrough Device designation, fast-tracking its path to wider use. For patients, that means the ability to rely less on caregivers and re-engage in everyday activities with greater independence.
Neuralace
While MoveAgain focuses on restoring movement, Neuralace points to the future.
It’s a flexible, lace-like chip with over 10,000 channels, capturing far more brain data than current systems. This opens the door to next-gen applications like:
- Restoring vision and memory.
- Treating mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
- Creating BCIs that are so seamless and intuitive that they feel like natural extensions of the body.
Blackrock sees Neuralace as the key to “complete brain activity capture”—a step that could transform how we treat neurological disorders and even enhance human capabilities.
Tether’s $200 Mn bet
In 2024, crypto giant Tether invested $200 million (in crypto cash) into Blackrock Neurotech, acquiring a majority stake and valuing the company at roughly $350 million.
It was a turning point. Until then, Blackrock had largely relied on public funding and a modest $10 Mn venture round in 2021. Now, with Tether’s backing, the company has the resources to:
- Accelerate clinical rollout of MoveAgain.
- Push R&D on Neuralace and other next-gen BCIs.
- Expand accessibility, making these technologies available to more patients worldwide.
What’s new in 2025
Blackrock’s momentum hasn’t slowed. Recent highlights include:
- Axon-R launch (May 2025): Blackrock partnered with Cognixion to distribute a non-invasive, AR-enabled BCI headset for research, broadening access beyond implants.
- Smarter microelectrode arrays (Jan 2025): Their latest arrays powered a study that advanced brain-signal capture and translation, setting the stage for faster, more reliable BCIs.
How Blackrock stands apart
Plenty of companies are chasing the promise of BCIs: Neuralink, Synchron, Precision Neuroscience, and others. But here’s what makes Blackrock Neurotech different:
#1 First-mover & longest track record
Their NeuroPort Array has been in human use since 2004, long before most rivals existed. More people worldwide use Blackrock implants than any other BCI system (40 out of 50 people with implants)
“We are years ahead of other implantable companies when it comes to trials in humans. Of the 35 participants globally with implantable BCIs, 31 have been implanted with Blackrock technology.”
– said Marcus Gerhardt, Co-Founder & CEO, in 2022.
#2 Regulatory edge
The MoveAgain system is among the first BCI implants to win an FDA Breakthrough Device designation, a big step toward commercial use.
#3 Product breadth
Instead of one product, Blackrock is building a portfolio:
- MoveAgain: restoring movement and communication
- Neuralace: next-gen high-density interface for memory, vision, and mental health
- NeuroPort arrays: already widely used in research labs.
#4 Proven patient outcomes
Patients have typed at record speeds, controlled robotic arms, and even experienced restored sensation. Outcomes competitors are still promising.
Famous example: Nathan Copeland used Blackrock’s BCI to fist-bump President Obama and feel it.
#5 Financial backing
With Tether’s $200 Mn majority stake, Blackrock has more funding stability and growth runway than most startups in the field.
#6 Implants + Wearables
With Axon-R (a non-invasive AR-enabled headset launched in 2025), Blackrock covers both implantable and wearable BCIs, something most competitors don’t.
Why it matters
Blackrock isn’t just creating cutting-edge gadgets. They’re restoring independence, communication, and connection to people who’ve lost them.
- MoveAgain is giving patients the ability to move, communicate, and participate in daily life.
- Neuralace promises a future where BCIs don’t just restore function, but enhance it.
- With Tether’s funding and new partnerships, these breakthroughs are poised to reach more people, more quickly.
