The Open Loop with Chay Carter

Chay Carter

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. 21 hr ago

    Navigated TMS and Precision Brain Stimulation with Mikko Karvinen

    In this episode of The Open Loop, Chay Carter is joined by Mikko Karvinen, CEO of Nexstim, a Finnish neurotechnology company developing navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS). Mikko shares his journey from CFO to CEO during a challenging period for Nexstim, and how the company refocused its strategy around precision brain mapping, neuromodulation and commercial growth. We explore how Nexstim uses patient-specific MRI data to guide TMS stimulation, its applications in neurosurgical planning and depression treatment, and why accurate targeting is becoming increasingly important in neurotechnology. Mikko also discusses Nexstim's partnerships with Brainlab and Sinaptica Therapeutics, the potential of TMS-EEG in Alzheimer's research, and the opportunities ahead for precision neuromodulation. Key takeaways: 🔹 How navigated TMS uses brain imaging to deliver more precise and repeatable stimulation 🔹 How Nexstim navigated financial challenges and evolved its commercial strategy 🔹 Why brain mapping is becoming increasingly important in neurosurgical planning 🔹 How the Brainlab partnership is supporting Nexstim's global expansion 🔹 Why TMS-EEG, personalised targeting and Alzheimer's research could open new opportunities for neuromodulation Host: Chay Carter Founder, Carter Sciences | Co-Founder, Reccy Neuro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chay-carter/ Guest: Mikko Karvinen CEO, Nexstim Plc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikko-karvinen-4909a/ Company: Nexstim Website: https://www.nexstim.com/ 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/

    Navigated TMS and Precision Brain Stimulation with Mikko Karvinen
  2. 15 Oct

    Why Neurotech Needs Lived Experience with Mark Slater

    In this episode of The Open Loop, Chay Carter is joined by Mark Slater, Co-Founder of Otherside. Mark shares how his personal experience living with epilepsy, combined with a career in healthcare advertising and brand strategy, led him to build Otherside alongside Jon Nelson, a neuroscience agency bringing lived experience into the heart of healthcare communications. We explore why groundbreaking neurotechnology often struggles to connect with the people who need it, and how more human communication can help bridge the gap between scientific innovation and real-world impact. Mark also shares the story behind the Otherside Lounge, a community initiative creating spaces for people living with epilepsy to connect, share experiences, and help shape the future of brain health. Key takeaways: 🔹 Why lived experience is essential to effective neurotechnology communication 🔹 How Mark's experience with epilepsy shaped the creation of Otherside 🔹 Why healthcare language often fails to reflect patients' everyday experiences 🔹 How the Otherside Lounge is creating meaningful connections within the epilepsy community 🔹 Why trust, accessibility and patient understanding matter as consumer neurotechnology continues to grow Host: Chay Carter Founder, Carter Sciences | Co-Founder, Reccy Neuro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chay-carter/ Guest: Mark Slater Co-Founder, Otherside | Board Member, Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium (PERC) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-slater-other-side/ Otherside: https://otherside.health/ 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/

    Why Neurotech Needs Lived Experience with Mark Slater
  3. 2 Oct

    Thinking, Moving and Measuring Brain Health with NERON

    In this episode of The Open Loop, Chay Carter is joined by Ryan Glatt and Lauren Sergio of NERON. Ryan is a Brain Health Coach and Director of the FitBrain℠ Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute, where his work focuses on brain health, exercise science, clinical exergaming, dual-task training, and cognitive wellness. Lauren is a Professor and neuroscientist at York University whose work focuses on movement control, cognitive-motor integration, and how the brain coordinates thinking and movement. We explore how NERON is using simple movement-based tasks to assess more complex brain communication, and why thinking while moving could become a valuable part of brain health measurement. Ryan and Lauren also discuss ageing, concussion, fall risk, sport, military applications, and the challenge of making brain health assessment more accessible outside traditional clinical settings. Key takeaways: 🔹 Why thinking and moving together can reveal more than cognition or movement alone 🔹 How neuromotor and visuomotor control relate to everyday brain health 🔹 Why dual-task assessment may help identify risk earlier than traditional screening tools 🔹 How NERON uses simple movement tasks to assess complex brain communication 🔹 Where this technology could be used across ageing, concussion, sport, military and community health settings Host: Chay Carter Founder, Carter Sciences | Co-Founder, Reccy Neuro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chay-carter/ Guests: Ryan Glatt Brain Health Coach | Director, FitBrain℠ Program at Pacific Neuroscience Institute LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-glatt-ms-cpt-nbc-hwc-50ba3664/ Lauren Sergio Professor and Neuroscientist, York University LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/lauren-sergio-2793351a 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/

    Thinking, Moving and Measuring Brain Health with NERON
  4. 24 Sept

    Connectomics and the Future of Brain Mapping with Adam Fraser

    In this episode of The Open Loop, Chay Carter is joined by Adam Fraser, Chief Operating Officer at Omniscient Neurotechnology. Adam shares how Omniscient is taking connectomics out of the lab and into clinical practice, using AI and MRI data to help decode the brain’s structural and functional networks. We explore how connectomics can support neurosurgical planning today, why brain network mapping could become important across DBS, stroke, coma, epilepsy and psychiatry, and what it takes to build a scalable neurotechnology platform inside the US healthcare system. Adam also discusses Omniscient’s go-to-market journey, reimbursement, medical education, the company’s US focus, the role of AI in brain mapping, and why mental health remains a long-term North Star for the business. Key takeaways: 🔹 What connectomics means and why it matters for brain health 🔹 How structural and functional connectomes act like “roads and traffic” for the brain 🔹 Why neurosurgical planning was Omniscient’s first major clinical focus 🔹 How connectomics could support future work in DBS, stroke, coma, epilepsy and psychiatry 🔹 Why bringing new neurotechnology into the US healthcare system requires evidence, reimbursement and medical education Host: Chay Carter Founder, Carter Sciences | Co-Founder, Reccy Neuro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chay-carter/ Guest: Adam Fraser Chief Operating Officer, Omniscient Neurotechnology LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-fraser-23202133/ 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/

    Connectomics and the Future of Brain Mapping with Adam Fraser
  5. 10 Sept

    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
  6. 2 Sept

    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
  7. 27 Aug

    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
  8. 19 Aug

    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

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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