Funding Round
Kernel raises $53M Series C for wearable fNIRS neuroimaging platform
VentureBeat2/19/2026·02/19/26🌐 USA
Summary
Culver City-based Kernel secured $53M Series C led by Founders Fund, with Optum Ventures and Mubadala Capital. The company's Flow TD-fNIRS system is being used in 60+ research studies including psychedelics research, cognitive performance studies, and psychiatric drug development. Commercial launch of Flow 2 with 512 optodes announced simultaneously.
Why it matters
Founders Fund backing Kernel's C-round reflects Peter Thiel's long-standing interest in human-computer interface and cognitive enhancement technologies. Kernel's pivot from consumer BCI to research neuroimaging tool has given them a defensible commercial position with pharmaceutical and academic customers.
#Industry#Neuroimaging#USA#Venture Capital#Wearables
Want the full NeurotechMag Pro intelligence database?
Access 800+ papers, trials, patents, funding rounds and news items — updated daily.
Start free trialAlready a member? Sign in