This startup uses neural signals to restore communication

This article is a part of Startup Spotlight, a series that features young, up-and-coming startups.

Photo credit: Neural Drive

During his time as an ambulance medic, Mohammed Khambhati encountered conscious stroke patients completely unable to speak. Witnessing families guess whether their loved ones were in pain pushed him to study neuroscience.

Those early experiments eventually evolved into Neural Drive. Today, the company develops non-invasive communication wearables for paralyzed patients.

😟 Problem

Nearly 12 million people suffer a stroke annually, and up to 38% experience immediate aphasia. Conditions like severe paralysis leave patients mentally alert but incapable of expressing basic needs.

Caregivers and hospital staff are often forced to guess patient requirements. This communication gap leads to dangerous delays, elevated stress, and medical mistakes.

💡 Solution

Neural Drive created a portable wearable that reads deliberate eye blinks and neural biosignals. Caregivers can set up the system in about one minute without using gel or undergoing specialist training.

The device empowers users to perform several essential everyday tasks without speaking or typing, such as:

• Select on-screen messages like “Water” or “Help” with two blinks for immediate speech output.
• Send WhatsApp messages to family members and caregivers.
• Control connected smart home devices such as lights and televisions.

Image credit: Neural Drive

📊 Market size

Stroke deaths are projected to increase by 50% between 2020 and 2050. Capturing just 1% of new stroke patients suffering from aphasia represents over S$110 million (US$86.58 million) in annual revenue.

Across the Asia-Pacific region, supplying 500 healthcare partners with 50 devices per year represents a S$62.5 million (US$49.19 million) annual market opportunity.

🤝 Team

• Mohammed Khambhati. Co-founder and CEO. He is a serial entrepreneur and 42-time hackathon winner who has also co-founded Resumify, an AI platform helping ex-convicts find jobs.
• Raymond Loong Ng. Co-founder. He is a serial founder who has built multiple AI ventures, including Resumify and Singapore Youth AI. 

🚀 Traction

🏆 Competition

💰 Financials

🚩 Risks