MintNeuro's implants are approximately the size of a peppercorn – over 100 times smaller than conventional devices. These implants are designed to be minimally invasive, enabling precise sensing and modulation of neural activity.

The company was co-founded by Professor Tim Constandinou, Dr Dorian Haci, Professor Andrew Jackson, and Professor Tim Denison. Their work builds on over two decades of research into ultra-low-power implantable bioelectronics, initially developed at Imperial College London’s Next Generation Neural Interfaces Lab.

“MintNeuro is deeply rooted in technical rigour, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, and fuelled by a desire to push the boundaries of what is possible at the frontier of engineering and neuroscience,” said Dr Dorian Haci, Co-Founder.

The idea behind MintNeuro stemmed from a specific frustration observed by its founders. While neurotechnology had advanced significantly in software and data capabilities, the hardware – particularly the chips used in implantable devices – had not kept pace. Existing systems continued to rely on generic, often outdated electronics that were never intended for neural interface applications. This disconnect limited the precision, miniaturisation, and ultimately, the clinical scalability of such devices.

The team at MintNeuro identified a clear need for purpose-built silicon – chips designed specifically for neural implants. These components needed to be developed from the ground up, guided by three core principles: power efficiency, safety, and precision. MintNeuro was established to meet this need.

“Our ambition is to become the semiconductor backbone of the neural industry and to empower neural device manufacturers with a hardware platform that has never previously existed,” said Haci.

The main difference with MintNeuro's approach lies in its focus on semiconductors rather than on the full medical device. Most companies in the neurotechnology space are vertically integrated – they attempt to handle every aspect of the product. MintNeuro has deliberately taken a different route. The company concentrates solely on integrated circuits, developing optimised chips specifically for neural sensing and stimulation, as well as for closed-loop and smart control of neurological conditions.

This specialised focus has allowed MintNeuro to go deep on three of the most critical factors for neural implants: energy efficiency, size, and performance. The chips are also designed to be modular, enabling them to be combined like building blocks by medical device manufacturers and developers.

“One of the biggest hurdles has been balancing signal quality and precision with the strict power constraints. Neural signals are extremely small and often noisy, so capturing them requires very high precision. However, implantable devices cannot afford the power and space typically needed by conventional electronics. Striking the right balance between these competing demands has been a significant challenge from the start.

“We are designing analogue and mixed-signal circuits that are specifically tailored for implantable applications. Getting this right has taken over 15 years of R&D at Imperial College London, involving close collaboration with neuroscientists – such as those at Oxford and Newcastle – as well as clinicians from institutions like King’s College Hospital. Of course, none of this would have been possible without a highly skilled team of engineers.”

MintNeuro's involvement in the ChipStart UK programme marked a significant milestone in its development. ChipStart UK is a two-year pilot programme backed by the government that provides early-stage companies involved in the design of semiconductors with the technical and commercial help they need to help bring new products to market.

“ChipStart UK proved to be an exceptional accelerator for early-stage semiconductor startups. The programme gave us access to advanced design and EDA tools, world-class mentorship, and invaluable industry insights – all specifically tailored to the challenges at the intersection of semiconductors, neurotechnology, and medical device development. ChipStart UK helped us move quickly, reduce early-stage risk, and refine our go-to-market strategy.

“This momentum led directly to our recognition with the ‘ChipStart of the Year’ award at the TechWorks Gala Dinner (2024). Beyond the visibility it brought, the award validated our business model and strengthened our position within the UK semiconductor ecosystem,” notes Haci.

Securing a £1 million investment at the end of 2024 was a significant step forward for the company.

“After a lot of hard work, it gave us the capital needed to scale our team, accelerate the development of our chips, and expand our chip library beyond the first generation. It also connected us with world-class investors who have become valuable mentors and advisors to both the company and me personally,” said Haci.

However, the real multiplier effect has come from the ARIA grants. The ARIA-funded projects MintNeuro is now part of are collaborative R&D efforts with some of the world’s leading universities and neurotechnology companies. These include ongoing partnerships with Imperial College London, Oxford, and Newcastle, as well as with Motif Neurotech, which targets mental health conditions. Each project addresses a different aspect of the future neural implant landscape.

“This combination of equity investment and non-dilutive funding from the ARIA grants allows us to move quickly, stay lean, and create technologies that align with real-world needs,” said Haci.

Over the next five years, Haci anticipates a major shift in how neural implants are perceived and used by the public. What were once considered last-resort options will increasingly become proactive, even elective interventions at earlier stages of disease.

To prepare for this future, MintNeuro is developing a modular chip platform that supports adaptability. Each chip is optimised for a specific function, but they are designed to work in combinations, enabling highly customisable and reconfigurable systems to meet different clinical needs. The company is also working closely with device manufacturers to co-develop technologies that are not only technically advanced but also clinically meaningful.

As hardware becomes smaller, safer, and smarter, the company sees a future where neural interfaces are no longer the exception but part of the standard toolkit for managing health, improving quality of life, and even enhancing human capabilities in the long term.

“I believe the next major shift in healthcare won’t come from another class of pharmaceuticals. Instead, it will come from precision devices that can directly interact with neural circuits in real time. However, this requires the right hardware, and that’s where we focus – on building the essential components that are currently missing.

“In short, our mission is about creating the core technology that makes advanced neurotherapies not only possible but also practical – at scale, in real clinical settings, and for many, many patients.”

This article originally appeared in the May/June 2025 issue of Startups Magazine. Click here to subscribe