Valve CEO’s Startup to Launch Innovative Brain Chip in 2025

Valve CEO Gabe Newell, known for revolutionizing PC gaming with Steam and titles like Half-Life, has quietly ventured into the brain-computer interface (BCI) space with his startup Starfish Neuroscience. Set to debut its first brain chip in late 2025, Starfish aims to challenge existing players like Neuralink by focusing on smaller, less invasive implants that can simultaneously access multiple brain regions.

Unlike Neuralink’s single large implant, Starfish’s chip consumes just 1.1 milliwatts of power, enabling wireless power transmission without a bulky battery. Measuring only 2 x 4 mm, it supports 32 electrode sites and 16 simultaneous recording channels, capable of both recording neural spikes and stimulating brain tissue. This design could allow for more precise and distributed brain monitoring and therapy.

Starfish’s approach is particularly promising for neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, where circuit-level dysfunction across multiple brain regions plays a critical role. By enabling simultaneous multi-region access, the technology could offer more effective diagnostics and treatments compared to single-site implants.

Beyond the chip, Starfish is developing complementary technologies such as a precision hyperthermia device to target brain tumors with heat and a robotically guided transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) system aimed at treating conditions like bipolar disorder and depression. These innovations highlight a broader vision of integrating brain monitoring with therapeutic interventions.

While Valve’s initial interest in BCIs was tied to gaming, the company’s spin-off startup is clearly targeting medical and neurological applications first. However, the potential for future gaming applications remains, as brain-computer interfaces could transform how players interact with virtual worlds.

Starfish’s strategy of partnering with other companies for wireless power and implant integration suggests a collaborative ecosystem approach, potentially accelerating innovation and adoption in the neurotechnology field.

Why Multi-Region Brain Access Matters

Neurological disorders often involve complex interactions between different brain regions. Traditional BCIs that focus on a single site may miss critical circuit-level dysfunctions. Starfish’s multi-implant approach could provide a more holistic view of brain activity, enabling therapies that address the root causes of diseases rather than just symptoms.

• Low power consumption (1.1 mW) enables wireless operation without bulky batteries.
• Small physical size (2 x 4 mm) allows for less invasive implantation.
• Simultaneous recording and stimulation across multiple brain regions.
• Onboard data processing reduces bandwidth needs for wireless communication.

The Road Ahead for Brain-Computer Interfaces

Starfish Neuroscience’s upcoming chip launch marks a significant milestone in the evolution of brain-computer interfaces. By prioritizing multi-region access, low power, and minimal invasiveness, it addresses key limitations seen in current technologies. As partnerships form to integrate wireless power and full implants, this innovation could accelerate new treatments for neurological diseases and eventually reshape human-computer interaction.

For developers, researchers, and healthcare innovators, the emergence of such advanced BCIs opens exciting possibilities. Imagine therapies that adapt in real-time to brain signals from multiple regions or gaming experiences controlled directly by thought patterns. The future of brain-computer interfaces is not just about connectivity but about unlocking the brain’s full potential.