Episode 7: Ryan Field Talks Kernel and Neuroscience as a Service
What does it take to build a brain measurement company from the ground up and turn neuroscience into a scalable service? In this episode of The Business of Neurotech, host Adam Fraser is joined by Ryan Field, CEO of Kernel, to talk about what it means to build brain technology in an emerging market. Adam and Ryan discuss Ryan’s path from electrical engineering and sensing technology into neurotech, and how Kernel has evolved from an early invasive BCI vision into a company focused on non-invasive brain measurement. They also explore how Kernel is building a platform across different applications, the company’s funding journey, the promise and limits of invasive BCI and why whole-brain measurement may matter more than many investors currently realise. Tune in for a look at Kernel’s strategy and the broader business logic shaping the next phase of neurotech.
Key Points From This Episode:
[01:10] Discover Ryan’s backstory and how his career led him into neurotech.
[04:44] How his interest in engineering and biology pulled him towards the brain.
[06:30] What made neurotech feel like an emerging space when he joined Kernel.
[07:22] Understand Kernel’s original vision and how the company has evolved.
[12:25] Why Kernel is focused on becoming a foundational measurement layer for the brain.
[13:22] Find out about Bryan Johnson’s role at Kernel and how he has shaped its direction.
[16:34] How Ryan sees his role in Kernel and why it feels like more than a typical CEO job.
[18:10] Unpack Kernel’s funding journey and why Bryan’s backing was so important.
[20:19] Learn why the brain represents a major risk for investors in neurotech.
[21:20] Examine how Kernel is turning neuroscience into a scalable service for customers.
[24:01] Kernel’s approach to commercialising across research, longevity and wellness.
[27:28] Uncover how Kernel is working with pharma and aiding drug development.
[30:07] Hear Ryan’s view on the recent surge in funding for invasive BCI companies.
[33:43] Whether neurotech is heading toward a few big winners or many niche companies.
[36:24] Final takeaways and advice on how to keep a team aligned and motivated.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
‘A compact time-domain diffuse optical tomography system for cortical neuroimaging’