From personal struggle to neurotech breakthrough: The stories behind BCIs

At the heart of every transformative technology is a story. And in the case of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), the stories are often personal – rooted in loss, frustration, and a drive to solve problems that truly matter.

We spoke with two past LEAP speakers at the forefront of BCI innovation: Dr. Ramses Alcaide (President and CEO at Neurable) and Professor Thomas Oxley (CEO at Synchron). Their companies are pioneering non-invasive and endovascular BCIs, respectively. And both founders have shaped their careers around deeply personal motivations.

A childhood tragedy that sparked a lifelong mission

For Dr. Ramses Alcaide, the road to BCI innovation began with a traumatic event.

“A family tragedy when I was 8 years old created a passion for neuroscience and technology – leading me to getting a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Washington,” he told us.

That experience stayed with him. It fuelled his determination to develop technology that would bridge the gap between brain and machine — giving people new ways to interact with the world around them.

“Following that, I co-founded Neurable with a vision to revolutionise human-computer interaction through neurotechnology.”

Today, Neurable is developing non-invasive BCIs that can measure brain activity and generate real-time insights; and in 2024, the company launched the first smart BCI-enabled headphones for the consumer market. It’s technology designed to enhance both accessibility and cognitive performance; and it’s built on decades of personal commitment.

When you witness suffering, and imagine something better 

Professor Thomas Oxley’s story began in medical school – specifically, on the neurology ward.

“I often saw patients struggling from neurological disease – with fully functioning minds but unable to move or communicate,” he said.

And observing that powerlessness left a lasting impact. He added that he often felt frustrated by the inability to treat or help patients living in these conditions.

While Oxley was training in interventional neurology, he crossed paths with a fellow student, Dr. Rahul Sharma, who was studying interventional cardiology. Together, they saw an opportunity to do something radically new.

“At the time we were already using catheter-based techniques to treat the likes of heart attacks and now strokes, so I thought – why not use it as a platform to deliver advanced BCI technology?”

And so the idea for Synchron was born: a company that would use the vascular system, the body’s natural highway, to reach the brain and deliver a minimally invasive BCI.

“His love of the heart and my love of the brain was the impetus for starting down the path that led to Synchron.”

Technology grounded in human needs

While their journeys are different, both Alcaide and Oxley are guided by the same question: How can we give people back the ability to communicate, move, and live more fully?

“Our team's dedication and innovative spirit have allowed us to make significant strides in unlocking the potential of the human brain,” said Alcaide.

And for Oxley, BCIs aren’t just about access – they’re also a way to explore the very nature of the human mind:

“I would love for more people to realise that most of our behaviours are driven by unconscious irrational whims. We don’t really know why we do what we do.”

“I’m hoping that our work can some day shine a light on how our minds truly work.”

Meet the innovators shaping the future 

We’re well underway with preparations for LEAP 2026, where you’ll be able to learn directly from the innovators who are reimagining how humans interact with technology. Pre-register now to join us in Riyadh next April.