NextSense, a maker of wearable EEG tech, has raised $16 million to democratize brain health.
Built through years of research and clinical validation, the company’s Smartbuds translate real-time brain activity into actionable insights that help people sleep better, focus longer, and recharge more effectively. NextSense said it is building a future where wellness isn’t measured in steps or calories, but by enabling lives filled with joy, energy, and purpose.
The oversubscribed Series A funding round was led by Ascension Ventures, with participation from notable investors including Satori Neuro and Corundrum Neuroscience Fund (CNS).
Individual investors include David Eagleman, a neuroscientist at Stanford University; Esther Dyson, founder of Wellville; and Bradley Horowitz, general partner at Wisdom Ventures and former Google vice president of product.
“We started NextSense to democratize brain health — to give people the same visibility into their minds that wearables gave their bodies,” said Jonathan Berent, CEO of NextSense, in a statement. “This round is the next step toward that reality, and we’re excited for the next chapter in bringing science-backed brain health tools to everyone.”
Launching in Q4 2025, Smartbuds aim to deliver clinically accurate sleep tracking while helping users unlock deeper, more restorative rest through auditory stimulation proven to boost slow-wave sleep by as much as 50% among early users. Relax and Focus modes—brain-responsive audio that adapts in real time to calmer or more attentive brain states—are also coming soon.
“We invested in NextSense because of their ability to translate decades of neuroscience into accessible, consumer-ready solutions,” said John Kuelper, lead investor and senior managing director at Ascension Ventures, in a statement. “We are also pleased to see new partners join this round to support the company’s next phase of growth in advancing brain health.”
By integrating EEG sensing with real-time, adaptive algorithms, Smartbuds personalize sleep and relaxation experiences with bio-responsive audio. Users can naturally drift off, wake up refreshed, relax more deeply, and sustain focus with NextSense’s library of personalized soundscapes.
Mountain View, California-based NextSense is also planning research partnerships with leading universities and pharmaceutical companies, with medical applications planned for 2027.
”We share NextSense’s vision that closed-loop wearables are the next frontier for human flourishing when it comes to consumer wellness,” said Amy Kruse, general partner at Satori Neuro, in a statement. “Their combination of academic research, user-focused design, and scalable technology uniquely positions them to have a transformative impact on human well-being.”
“NextSense offers a cutting-edge solution to improve brain health,” said Itsik Francis, managing partner of business development at Corundum Neuroscience, in a statement. “We are excited to support the team in their mission to help consumers better understand and improve their sleep.”
The size and rapid subscription of the round reflect strong investor confidence in NextSense’s vision and signal a major step toward making brain-sensing technology accessible to everyday consumers. Smartbuds aim to usher in an era of wearables that go beyond tracking to proactive improvement of sleep and well-being.
NextSense Smartbuds begin shipping in Q4 2025 and are available for pre-order now at nextsense.io. NextSense has 13 employees and it was founded in 2020.
Asked about the inspiration for it, the company told GamesBeat, “NextSense was inspired by the belief that understanding the brain in real time can transform how we sleep, think, and feel. NextSense’s founder, Jonathan Berent, an ex-Google X director, became interested in neuroscience after personally exploring how different sleep patterns and brain states affect energy, focus, and emotional well-being.”
The company added, “That led to a realization: while sleep is one of the most foundational drivers of health, most people have no visibility into what is happening in their own brains. NextSense was created to change that. The company’s mission is to make clinical-grade brain insights accessible outside of labs and hospitals, so people can improve their sleep and overall cognitive health in their everyday lives.”