Gestala raises $21.7M angel round for China's first ultrasound BCI — targets pain, depression, stroke
Summary
Chengdu-based Gestala — co-founded by NeuroXess co-founder Phoenix Peng and described as China's first ultrasound-based BCI company — raised 150M RMB ($21.7M) in an angel round co-led by Guosheng Capital and Dalton Venture, with Tsing Song Capital, Gobi Partners, Fourier Intelligence, Liepin, and Seas Capital. Gestala's ultrasound BCI offers non-invasive bidirectional capabilities and multi-target neural circuit regulation, targeting chronic pain, depression, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke rehabilitation, and epilepsy. Early clinical trials showed a single session reducing pain scores by 50% with effects lasting 1-2 weeks. The company targets NMPA filing by end 2026 and first product launch within 1-2 years.
Why it matters
Gestala's $21.7M angel round at very early stage reflects extraordinary investor conviction in ultrasound BCI — the same modality being pursued by OpenAI-backed Merge Labs in the US. China now has competitive bidirectional ultrasound BCI development matching the US approach, with the advantage of NMPA's demonstrated willingness to approve BCIs commercially.
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