Neuralink, the brain-implant startup co-founded by Elon Musk, is reportedly seeking to raise $500 million at a pre-money valuation of $8.5 billion, which would bring its post-money valuation close to $9 billion. This fundraising effort follows the company’s recent milestone of implanting its brain chip in its first human patient, enabling the individual to control a computer cursor and perform tasks such as scrolling the internet, playing chess, and Mario Kart using only brain signals. Neuralink is currently conducting clinical trials for its brain-machine interface technology, which aims to assist individuals with spinal cord injuries by allowing them to operate digital devices through brain waves. The company’s largest investors likely include Vy Capital, which led a $205 million funding round in 2021, and Elon Musk himself. Neuralink’s advancements have attracted considerable attention from investors and the tech community, highlighting its potential to transform human-computer interaction. Meanwhile, competitors in the brain implant space are also making progress, with some receiving FDA clearance for less invasive devices. Neuralink’s ongoing development and fundraising efforts underscore its ambition to advance brain-computer interface technology beyond science fiction.