A London-based neurotech start-up, MindSpire, has raised £850,000 in pre-seed funding to support the development and launch of its innovative wearable device, SONA. The medical-grade device uses perdue-coded electrical pulses to stimulate the vagus nerve, activating brain circuits to promote calm, focus, and enhanced learning. The investment marks a significant step for the company, which aims to revolutionise how chronic stress and mental performance are managed.
The funding round was led by SFC Capital, with contributions from SyndicateRoom and non-dilutive innovation funding through Innovate UK’s Investor Partnership Programme. Based at the London Institute for Healthcare Engineering (LIHE), MindSpire will use the capital to finalise SONA™’s development and bring it to market. The device, paired with the AI-driven NeuroSphere platform, personalises stimulation based on real-time user data, offering tailored interventions for cognitive and emotional regulation.
MindSpire’s mission is to make advanced nervous system care accessible and effective for diverse groups, from high-performing executives to individuals managing chronic conditions such as anxiety, long Covid, trauma, burnout, and frontline fatigue. Early sales of SONA™ will fund further research into its applications for these challenges, building on promising clinical studies exploring its potential in treating stress, tinnitus, Parkinson’s disease, and chronic pain.
“Our goal is to create a solution that performs just as well for executives managing stress and recovery as it does for individuals rebuilding from chronic conditions. It reflects our commitment to making nervous system care accessible, especially for those who need it most,” said Jane Ollis, founder and CEO of MindSpire.
SONA employs transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), delivering biologically-aligned pulses from the outer ear to the brainstem. By syncing with the brain’s natural rhythms, the device enhances neuroplasticity and autonomic balance. Real-time heart rate variability (HRV) sensing and sound inputs further refine its effects, supporting brain performance and resilience. The NeuroSphere™ platform uses artificial intelligence to adapt stimulation to each user’s physiological signals and personal goals.
“MindSpire is leading the way in integrating adaptive AI with cutting-edge neuroscience. What excites me is the potential to deliver real-time, personalised interventions that respond to the body’s signals. It is a true fusion of intelligence and biology that could redefine how we manage stress and performance,” said Dr Amir Konigsberg, chair of MindSpire and an expert in artificial intelligence.
The investment community has expressed strong support for MindSpire’s vision. “We’re delighted to invest in MindSpire and enable them complete the development and launch of SONA. We look forward to the impact they make in treating chronic stress and anxiety, and to welcome another promising company at the cross section of AI and cutting edge healthtech to the Access EIS portfolio,” said Tom Britton, founding partner at SyndicateRoom.
Adam Beveridge, Investment Executive at SFC Capital, added: “MindSpire’s technology represents a shift in how we approach mental performance and resilience. We are excited to support their innovative solutions and look forward to seeing their impact on the market.”
MindSpire’s work has also garnered praise from its host institution. “At LIHE, we champion innovators who are redefining precision in healthcare through impactful medical devices. MindSpire’s fusion of non-invasive neurotechnology and adaptive AI represents a bold leap forward in the future of brain health,” said Nicolas Huber, COO of the London Institute for Healthcare Engineering.
Looking ahead, MindSpire is forging strategic partnerships with health platforms and innovators in stress, sleep, longevity, and performance. The company is also engaging with investors to prepare for its next funding round, signalling confidence in its growth trajectory.
