Gabe Newell of Valve supports a brain chip startup focused on medical applications

Gabe Newell backs Starfish Technologies in BCI chips for neurological disorders.

: Gabe Newell, Valve's co-founder, has invested in Starfish Technologies, a startup focusing on brain-computer interface (BCI) technology. Their BCI chips are being developed for the medical field, aiming to treat neurological disorders such as Parkinson's by enabling better neural communication. These chips are minimally invasive and aim to be wireless and battery-free, with a launch expected later in 2025. Starfish is seeking partnerships and talent in related fields to bring this groundbreaking technology to fruition.

Gabe Newell, co-founder and CEO of Valve, is supporting a brain-computer interface (BCI) startup named Starfish Neuroscience. The company focuses on medical applications, particularly developing brain chips that could treat neurological conditions like depression, Parkinson’s disease, and bipolar disorder. Founded in 2019, the company plans to release its first chip by the end of 2025. The chip is designed to record and stimulate brain activity with minimal invasiveness.

Starfish's chip is notable for being extremely compact (about 2x4mm) and battery-free, consuming only around 1.1 milliwatts. It uses wireless power transmission, which reduces the need for surgical maintenance. The chip can also interact with multiple brain regions simultaneously, making it potentially more effective for treating circuit-based disorders of the brain.

The startup is currently seeking partners to help with wireless power delivery, neural communication systems, and custom interface design. These collaborations are essential for completing a full neural implant system ready for medical trials and eventually clinical use.

While medical use is the primary goal, Newell has hinted at long-term applications for gaming, where BCIs could dynamically adapt gameplay based on the user’s mental state. His background at Valve gives credibility to the idea of future gaming-related applications, though these are not the startup's current focus.

Starfish Neuroscience is joining an emerging wave of next-gen BCI companies that emphasize less invasive techniques, higher energy efficiency, and better functional integration. Its development signals a promising future for treating neurological conditions and potentially enhancing human-computer interaction.

Sources: The Verge, TechSpot, Tom's Hardware

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