The Open Loop with Chay Carter

Chay Carter
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Neurotechnology is moving fast, but the real story is how it gets built, tested, funded, and scaled.   On The Open Loop, we explore the people, companies, and ideas shaping the future of neurotechnology, with honest conversations on what’s being built, what’s working, what’s difficult, and where the industry is really heading next.   Hosted by Chay Carter, Founder of Carter Sciences and Reccy Neuro, the podcast brings together founders, researchers, operators, investors, and industry leaders building at the intersection of neuroscience, healthcare, and technology.   Expect practical, unfiltered insight on: 🔹 Building neurotech companies from research to commercialisation 🔹 Brain-computer interfaces, neuromodulation, neuro-AI, and emerging technologies 🔹 Investment, regulation, and the realities of scaling in healthcare 🔹 The people, challenges, and decisions shaping the future of the industry   If you work in neurotechnology, neuroscience, healthcare innovation, or emerging technology, and want to understand what’s actually happening inside the industry, this is for you.

  1. 3 hrs ago

    From Google X to NextSense: Building Brain-Sensing Smartbuds with Jonathan “JB” Berent

    In this episode of The Open Loop, Chay Carter is joined by Jonathan “JB” Berent, Founder and CEO of NextSense. JB shares the story behind NextSense, from his early fascination with sleep and lucid dreaming to a Google X project exploring deep sleep enhancement, in-ear EEG, and brain-sensing wearables. We explore why the ear is such a compelling form factor for brain data, how NextSense is building smartbuds for sleep, focus and calm, and what it takes to turn advanced neurotechnology into a consumer product people actually use. We also discuss lucid dreaming research, acoustic stimulation, fundraising, product-market fit, manufacturing, ARPA-H’s REST programme, and future directions including more sensors, tVNS, and closed-loop sleep modulation. Key takeaways: 🔹 Why NextSense built around in-ear EEG and smartbud form factor 🔹 How a Google X sleep project evolved into a consumer neurotech company 🔹 Why longitudinal brain data could shape the next generation of wearables 🔹 What founders need to understand about product-market fit in consumer neurotech 🔹 How closed-loop sleep modulation, audio and future sensors could expand the platform Guest: Jonathan “JB” Berent Founder and CEO, NextSense LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-berent/ Host: Chay Carter Founder, Carter Sciences | Co-Founder, Reccy Neuro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chay-carter/ Key Chapters: 00:39 Introduction to NextSense and Brain-Sensing Smartbuds 01:40 From Stanford, Lucid Dreaming and Google to NextSense 04:56 Lucid Dreaming, EEG and Dream Communication 07:46 Learning Neuroscience and Building at Google X 11:56 Spinning NextSense Out of Google 14:54 Fundraising, Consumer Neurotech and Investor Challenges 21:53 Product-Market Fit and the Toothbrush Test 27:28 Why NextSense Chose Earbuds for Brain Data The Open Loop is a podcast exploring the people, companies, and ideas shaping the future of neurotechnology. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations with the founders, researchers, operators, and industry leaders building what comes next in brain health, medicine, and technology. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in neurotechnology. New episodes of The Open Loop drop weekly. Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Reccy Neuro — the home of neurotech. Jobs, companies, investors, events, Cortex industry intelligence, and specialist resources for the neurotech market. Learn more about Reccy Neuro here: https://neuro.reccy.dev/

    From Google X to NextSense: Building Brain-Sensing Smartbuds with Jonathan “JB” Berent

  2. Sep 2

    Scaling Interventional Psychiatry with William Sauvé

    In this episode of The Open Loop, Chay Carter is joined by William Sauvé, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Osmind. William shares his journey from Navy psychiatry and combat mental health care to TMS, interventional psychiatry, Greenbrook, and his current work helping scale mental health infrastructure at Osmind. We explore how psychiatry can move beyond traditional medication management, the access challenge facing mental health care, and the role of treatments like TMS, ketamine, esketamine, and emerging psychedelic therapies. We also discuss real-world evidence, fMRI-guided TMS, accelerated treatment protocols, REMS workflows, psychiatric EHRs, and why interventional psychiatry could become a force multiplier for mental health care. Key takeaways: 🔹 Why mental health care needs a “force multiplier” to meet patient demand 🔹 How TMS has evolved from early adoption challenges to broader clinical use 🔹 Why targeting, precision and real-world evidence matter in brain stimulation 🔹 How Osmind supports workflows for TMS, ketamine and esketamine clinics 🔹 Why emerging psychedelic therapies could change the logistics of psychiatric care Host: Chay Carter Founder, Carter Sciences | Co-Founder, Reccy Neuro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chay-carter/ Guest: William Sauvé, MD Chief Medical Officer, Osmind LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-sauv%C3%A9-md-45009813/ The Open Loop is a podcast exploring the people, companies, and ideas shaping the future of neurotechnology. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations with the founders, researchers, operators, and industry leaders building what comes next in brain health, medicine, and technology. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in neurotechnology. New episodes of The Open Loop drop weekly. Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Reccy Neuro — the home of neurotech. Jobs, companies, investors, events, Cortex industry intelligence, and specialist resources for the neurotech market. Learn more about Reccy Neuro here: https://neuro.reccy.dev/

    Scaling Interventional Psychiatry with William Sauvé

  3. Aug 27

    At-Home Brain Stimulation for Depression with Balder Onarheim

    In this episode of The Open Loop, Chay Carter is joined by Balder Onarheim, Founder and CEO of PlatoScience. Balder shares his journey from the Norwegian army and engineering design into creativity research, brain stimulation, and building at-home tDCS devices for mental health care. This is a practical conversation about transcranial direct-current stimulation, depression, neuroplasticity, usability, regulation, and what it takes to make brain stimulation safe and accessible outside the clinic. We explore how PlatoScience approaches medical-grade at-home tDCS, why the company works through clinicians, and how design, aesthetics, treatment adherence, and patient experience all shape the future of neuromodulation. Key takeaways: 🔹 Why PlatoScience is focused on at-home tDCS for depression 🔹 How tDCS changes neuronal thresholds without forcing brain activity 🔹 Why medical-grade usability matters for patient adherence 🔹 Why Balder believes mental health care should keep a human in the loop 🔹 How regulation could shape the future of non-invasive brain stimulation Host: Chay Carter Founder, Carter Sciences | Co-Founder, Reccy Neuro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chay-carter/ Guest: Balder Onarheim Founder and CEO, PlatoScience LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/baldero/ Learn more about PlatoScience: https://www.platoscience.com/ Key Chapters: 00:39 Introduction to PlatoScience and At-Home tDCS 01:55 From the Norwegian Army to Brain Stimulation 05:51 From Biohacking to Medical-Grade tDCS 07:39 Depression, Ageing and Neurodivergence 09:50 How tDCS and TES Work 16:32 PlatoScience’s Device and Clinician-Led Model 29:25 Design, Treatment Sessions and Patient Usability 38:54 EU Regulation and the Future of Brain Stimulation The Open Loop is a podcast exploring the people, companies, and ideas shaping the future of neurotechnology. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations with the founders, researchers, operators, and industry leaders building what comes next in brain health, medicine, and technology. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in neurotechnology. New episodes of The Open Loop drop weekly. Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Reccy Neuro — the home of neurotech. Jobs, companies, investors, events, Cortex industry intelligence, and specialist resources for the neurotech market. Learn more about Reccy Neuro here: https://neuro.reccy.dev/

    At-Home Brain Stimulation for Depression with Balder Onarheim

  4. Aug 19

    What Neurotech Can Learn from Cardiac Digital Health with Ken Nelson

    In this episode of The Open Loop, Chay Carter is joined by Ken Nelson, Board Member, investor, venture partner, and advisor across multiple cardiac, digital health, AI, and neurotechnology companies. Ken shares his journey from corporate finance into medical devices, cardiac rhythm management, remote patient monitoring, venture investing, and board roles across companies including Epitel, StimCardio, Echo IQ, HeartBeam, Acarix, and Happitech. This is a practical conversation about what neurotechnology can learn from cardiac digital health, from remote monitoring and AI diagnostics to patient-friendly wearables and predictive care. We also explore Epitel’s work in long-term EEG monitoring, the future of brainwave data, wearable neuromodulation, and why the next phase of neurotech may mirror many of the lessons already learned in cardiac care. Key takeaways: 🔹 Why cardiac digital health has helped pave the way for remote neuro monitoring 🔹 How Epitel is changing the standard of care in long-term EEG monitoring 🔹 Why patient-friendly wearables can improve data quality and clinical yield 🔹 How AI and predictive analytics could support earlier intervention in heart and brain health 🔹 Why the future of healthcare may depend on combining cardiac, neurological, and biometric data   Host: Chay Carter Founder, Carter Sciences | Co-Founder, Reccy Neuro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chay-carter/   Guest: Ken Nelson Board Member, investor, venture partner, and advisor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-nelson-56aaa34/ Key Chapters: 00:39 Introduction to Ken Nelson 01:04 From Finance to Cardiac Medical Devices 09:57 iRhythm, Digital Health and Remote Monitoring 13:18 What Neurotech Can Learn from Cardiac Monitoring 16:05 Wearable Neuromodulation and StimCardio 18:04 Multi-Parameter Monitoring and Predictive Care 21:01 Epitel and Long-Term EEG Monitoring 26:53 Brain Data, AI and Actionable Reports The Open Loop is a podcast exploring the people, companies, and ideas shaping the future of neurotechnology. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations with the founders, researchers, operators, and industry leaders building what comes next in brain health, medicine, and technology. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in neurotechnology. New episodes of The Open Loop drop weekly. Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Reccy Neuro — the home of neurotech. Jobs, companies, investors, events, Cortex industry intelligence, and specialist resources for the neurotech market. Learn more about Reccy Neuro here: https://neuro.reccy.dev/

    What Neurotech Can Learn from Cardiac Digital Health with Ken Nelson

  5. Aug 12

    TMS, Neuroplasticity and Precision Psychiatry with Corey Keller, MD, PhD

    In this episode of The Open Loop, Chay Carter is joined by Corey Keller, MD, PhD, Associate Professor at Stanford University and Co-Founder of Alto Neuroscience. Corey shares his journey from engineering and intracranial brain recordings in epilepsy patients to psychiatry, TMS, neuroplasticity, and precision mental health. This is an interesting conversation about what brain stimulation can do today, what we still do not fully understand, and why the next phase of psychiatry may depend on better ways to measure how treatments change the brain. We explore Corey’s work using invasive and non-invasive brain recordings, his role in the early development of Alto Neuroscience, and why EEG, TMS, fMRI, brain state, dosing, timing, and treatment personalisation all matter in the future of neuromodulation. We also discuss wearable neurotechnology, brain foundational models, accelerated TMS protocols, esketamine, clinical translation, advisory work, mentorship, and why Corey describes himself as a “skeptical neuroscientist” testing the questions that still need to be answered. Key takeaways: 🔹 Why TMS may still be under-personalised despite its clinical impact 🔹 How EEG and brain recordings could help guide psychiatric treatment decisions 🔹 Why neuroplasticity needs to be measured at the millisecond level 🔹 How Alto Neuroscience emerged from work on EEG biomarkers and treatment selection 🔹 Why the future of mental health neurotechnology depends on better science, not just better devices Guest: Corey Keller, MD, PhD Associate Professor at Stanford University Co-Founder of Alto Neuroscience LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corey-keller-stanford/ Host: Chay Carter Founder, Carter Sciences | Co-Founder, Reccy Neuro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chay-carter/ The Open Loop is a podcast exploring the people, companies, and ideas shaping the future of neurotechnology. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations with the founders, researchers, operators, and industry leaders building what comes next in brain health, medicine, and technology. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in neurotechnology. New episodes of The Open Loop drop weekly. Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Reccy Neuro — the home of neurotech. Jobs, companies, investors, events, Cortex industry intelligence, and specialist resources for the neurotech market. Learn more: https://neuro.reccy.dev/

    TMS, Neuroplasticity and Precision Psychiatry with Corey Keller, MD, PhD

  6. Aug 6

    Making Brain-Computer Interfaces More Accessible with PiEEG

    In this episode of The Open Loop, Chay Carter is joined by Ildar Rakhmatulin, Founder and Lead Engineer at PiEEG, and Youssef El Abbassi, Co-Founder and Software Architect at PiEEG. Ildar and Youssef share how they are making brain-computer interfaces more accessible through low-cost EEG hardware and open-source software tools. This is a practical conversation about lowering the barrier to BCI experimentation, from Raspberry Pi-based EEG boards and PiEEG Server to WebSockets, dashboards, simulations, and developer-friendly tools. We also explore in-ear EEG, VR and avatar applications, AI agents for interpreting brain data, consumer BCI, and what it could take to make brain-computer interfaces more useful outside the lab. Key takeaways: 🔹 Why PiEEG is focused on lowering the barrier to entry for BCI development 🔹 How low-cost EEG hardware can support researchers, students, and creators 🔹 Why developer experience matters in brain-computer interface software 🔹 How open-source tools can improve transparency and accessibility in neurotech 🔹 Where in-ear EEG, AI agents, VR, and consumer BCI could take the field next Guest: Ildar Rakhmatulin Founder and Lead Engineer at PiEEG LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ildar-rakhmatulin-262a66112/ Guest: Youssef El Abbassi Co-Founder and Software Architect at PiEEG LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yelabb/ Learn more about PiEEG here: https://www.pieeg.com/ Host: Chay Carter Founder, Carter Sciences | Co-Founder, Reccy Neuro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chay-carter/ The Open Loop is a podcast exploring the people, companies, and ideas shaping the future of neurotechnology. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations with the founders, researchers, operators, and industry leaders building what comes next in brain health, medicine, and technology. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in neurotechnology. New episodes of The Open Loop drop weekly. Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Reccy Neuro — the home of neurotech. Jobs, companies, investors, events, Cortex industry intelligence, and specialist resources for the neurotech market.

    Making Brain-Computer Interfaces More Accessible with PiEEG

  7. Jul 29

    Therapeutic BCIs for Stroke Recovery with Frank Desiere

    In this episode of The Open Loop, Chay Carter is joined by Frank Desiere, PhD MBA, CEO of CorTec.   Frank shares his journey from molecular biology, medical devices, diagnostics and innovation into leading one of Europe’s most advanced brain-computer interface companies.   This is an insightful conversation about therapeutic BCI, stroke rehabilitation, closed-loop neurotechnology, and what it takes to bring implantable brain interfaces into clinical care.   We explore CorTec’s Brain Interchange platform, the company’s first-in-human implants, its focus on stroke recovery, and why the ability to both read from and stimulate the brain opens up a different category of therapeutic applications.   We also discuss patient access, neuroplasticity, device longevity, brain data, future indications including epilepsy and depression, and the ethical questions that come with the next phase of BCI.   Key takeaways: 🔹 Why CorTec is focused on therapeutic BCI, not just communication applications 🔹 How brain stimulation could support stroke rehabilitation and motor recovery 🔹 Why neuroplasticity matters for patients years after stroke 🔹 How CorTec is designing implantable technology for long-term use 🔹 Why brain data could become one of the next major frontiers in neurotechnology   Host: Chay Carter Founder, Carter Sciences | Co-Founder, Reccy Neuro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chay-carter/   Guest: Frank Desiere - PhD MBA Chief Executive Officer, CorTec LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankdesiere/ Key Chapters: 00:39 Introduction to CorTec and Frank Desiere 03:24 Frank’s Journey into Neurotechnology 06:02 CorTec’s Milestones and First-in-Human Implants 08:49 Stroke Rehabilitation and Therapeutic BCI 11:44 BCI, DBS and Closed-Loop Neurotechnology 17:39 Neuroplasticity and Stroke Recovery Outcomes 23:28 Device Longevity and Brain Interchange Technology 29:20 Brain Data, Ethics and the Future of BCI   The Open Loop is a podcast exploring the people, companies, and ideas shaping the future of neurotechnology.   🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations with the founders, researchers, operators, and industry leaders building what comes next in brain health, medicine, and technology.   If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in neurotechnology.   New episodes of The Open Loop drop every week.   Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Reccy Neuro: the home of neurotech. Jobs, companies, investors, events, Cortex industry intelligence, and specialist resources for the neurotech market.   Learn more about Reccy Neuro here: https://neuro.reccy.dev/

    Therapeutic BCIs for Stroke Recovery with Frank Desiere

  8. Jul 23

    At-Home Brain Stimulation for Depression with Daniel Månsson

    In this episode of The Open Loop, Chay Carter is joined by Daniel Månsson, Chief Scientific Officer and Founder at Flow Neuroscience.   Daniel shares his journey from clinical psychology and computer science into building one of the most recognised at-home neurostimulation companies for depression.   This is a practical conversation about tDCS, treatment-resistant depression, clinical evidence, and what it takes to bring brain stimulation out of the clinic and into the hands of patients.   We explore why Flow chose transcranial direct current stimulation, how the company built its evidence base across Europe and the UK, and what its FDA approval means for the next stage of growth in the US.   We also discuss the challenge of separating clinically validated neurotechnology from wellness products, the role of doctors in at-home treatment pathways, and how precision psychiatry could shape the next generation of depression care.   Key takeaways: 🔹 Why Flow Neuroscience chose tDCS for at-home depression treatment 🔹 How the company built clinical evidence through real-world data and RCTs 🔹 Why patient access is central to Flow’s approach 🔹 How at-home neurostimulation can balance accessibility with medical oversight 🔹 Why precision psychiatry could help match the right patients to the right treatments   Host: Chay Carter Founder, Carter Sciences | Co-Founder, Reccy Neuro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chay-carter/   Guest: Daniel Månsson Chief Scientific Officer and Founder at Flow Neuroscience. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielmanss/ Learn more about Flow Neuroscience: https://www.flowneuroscience.com/ Key Chapters: 00:39 Daniel’s Journey from Psychology to Neurotech 04:09 Building Flow Neuroscience for Depression Treatment 07:47 From European Regulation to FDA Approval 11:00 Insights from 60,000 Patients 14:26 Preparing for Flow’s US Launch 18:14 How the Flow tDCS Device Works 21:47 Expanding Indications and Next-Generation Devices 25:32 Balancing Patient Access, Safety, and Medical Oversight Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Reccy Neuro — the home of neurotech. Jobs, companies, investors, events, Cortex industry intelligence, and specialist resources for the neurotech market. Learn more about Reccy Neuro: https://neuro.reccy.dev/ The Open Loop is a podcast exploring the people, companies, and ideas shaping the future of neurotechnology. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations with the founders, researchers, operators, and industry leaders building what comes next in brain health, medicine, and technology. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in neurotechnology. New episodes of The Open Loop drop every week.

    At-Home Brain Stimulation for Depression with Daniel Månsson
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About

Neurotechnology is moving fast, but the real story is how it gets built, tested, funded, and scaled.   On The Open Loop, we explore the people, companies, and ideas shaping the future of neurotechnology, with honest conversations on what’s being built, what’s working, what’s difficult, and where the industry is really heading next.   Hosted by Chay Carter, Founder of Carter Sciences and Reccy Neuro, the podcast brings together founders, researchers, operators, investors, and industry leaders building at the intersection of neuroscience, healthcare, and technology.   Expect practical, unfiltered insight on: 🔹 Building neurotech companies from research to commercialisation 🔹 Brain-computer interfaces, neuromodulation, neuro-AI, and emerging technologies 🔹 Investment, regulation, and the realities of scaling in healthcare 🔹 The people, challenges, and decisions shaping the future of the industry   If you work in neurotechnology, neuroscience, healthcare innovation, or emerging technology, and want to understand what’s actually happening inside the industry, this is for you.

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