If you follow Elon Musk’s work, you may have already heard of his new investment in neurotechnology, Neuralink, with the mission of integrating human intelligence and artificial intelligence.
Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, focuses on creating brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) to link the human brain with computers and devices. Its primary aim is to facilitate direct communication between the brain and technology, potentially addressing medical issues and improving human cognition.
Want to know if you can invest in Neuralink stock? Wondering about alternative investments with similar exposure? We’ve got you covered!
Can you Invest in Neuralink stock?
Unfortunately, you can’t invest in Neuralink shares. Neuralink, founded in 2016 by Elon Musk and leading neuroscientists, is not publicly traded, meaning regular investors can’t buy its shares.
Most of Neuralink’s funding comes from private sources, with Elon Musk being a major contributor. This pioneering technology has caught the attention of investors, and many are eager to see if the company will go public in the future.
What is Neuralink?
Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, is a pioneering neurotechnology company with a mission to create brain-machine interfaces (BMIs). These BMIs involve implanting small chips into the human brain, equipped with electrodes to monitor and potentially stimulate brain activity.
Established in 2016, Neuralink gained public attention in 2017. The company made its major public debut in 2019 when Musk and his team showcased their technology in a live-streamed event. Neuralink is developing two main components: a brain-implanted chip, roughly the size of a coin, with thousands of tiny electrodes to monitor and stimulate the brain, and a surgical robot to implant this chip safely.
Neuralink’s technology holds promise for treating various neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and tetraplegia. It could empower people to control devices using their thoughts and revolutionize the healthcare industry. While Musk has ambitious visions of merging human consciousness with AI, ethical concerns and technical challenges remain.
Elon Musk’s Neuralink faces a serious issue: reports suggest rushed animal testing, causing suffering and deaths. Records indicate nearly 1,500 animals killed since 2018. The outcome may impact Neuralink’s research and medical technology mission.
Although, on May 25, 2023, Neuralink revealed that it had received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance to recruit humans for the purpose of initiating tests of the brain implant for medical cases. The number of participants who can be enrolled in the clinical trial is currently unknown, but the characteristics of the candidates have already been disclosed: individuals with paralysis due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Who owns Neuralink?
Launched in 2016 by Tesla Inc.’s CEO Elon Musk, Neuralink began with his initial investment of $100 million. Over time, the company secured substantial private funding, including a recent $205 million Series C round.
High-profile investors involved in the company who may also retain some equity include Flip Sabes, Ben Rapoport, DJ Seo, Paul Merolla, Vanessa Tolosa, Max Hodak, Tim Hanson, and Tim Gardner prominent Google Ventures, ARCH Venture Partners, Founders Fund, and Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. Despite other investors, Elon Musk remains the majority shareholder of Neuralink.
Will Neuralink Go public?
The question on everyone’s mind is, “Will Neuralink go public?” Right now, the neurotechnological company majority owned by Elon Musk isn’t on the stock market. But there’s a good chance of a future IPO since the market interest in the biotechnology and neurotechnological industry is rising. However, it is unlikely within the next few years.
Around two years ago, in 2021, Neuralink was valued at $2 billion. However, due to optimistic investors trading in private shares, its valuation has now risen to approximately $5 billion. Although Neuralink may consider selling shares, it will need to undergo regulatory approvals and investigations, especially regarding ethical concerns.
Neuralink IPO
Let’s start with the basics: What is an IPO? An IPO, or initial public offering, is when a private company introduces its shares to the public for the first time. It’s a way for the company to raise funds from everyday investors. So, if you’re eyeing the chance to grab Neuralink stock, an IPO is your golden opportunity to jump on board and be part of the action.
However, Neuralink has not disclosed an official IPO date, keeping investors and enthusiasts alike in suspense about the timing of its potential entry into the public stock market.
Neuralink Stock Price
As of now, Neuralink remains a privately held company; thus, there is no publicly disclosed stock or share price.
However, as we mentioned above, there’s a lot of talk in the market suggesting that Neuralink could be worth a hefty $5 billion.
Neuralink stock alternatives
If you really want to gain exposure to neurotechnological innovation and IA, but at this moment, you can’t buy Neuralink stock, you may consider Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) that specifically target these sectors. Two ETFs to check out are:
- iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF (IBRN): This ETF seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. and non-U.S. companies that could benefit from the growth and innovation in neuroscience.
- Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic ETF (BOTZ): This ETF seeks to provide investment results that generally correspond to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Indxx Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index.
Besides looking into ETFs, check out shares from other companies in these markets. Some companies worth exploring include:
- Amgen (AMG): Leader in biotechnology, boasts a strong lineup focused on neurodegenerative diseases and various neurological conditions. Their efforts have resulted in breakthroughs that closely align with neurotechnology.
- AstraZeneca (AZN): Global pharmaceutical and biotech firm that specialises in neuroscience, especially in creating medications for mental and neurological conditions.
These companies have a significant presence in the market when compared to Neuralink and may offer distinct investment opportunities.
How to invest in these alternatives
Considering the alternatives mentioned above, our team has identified two brokers that may meet your needs as an investor looking to invest in Neuralink. This is especially useful for those who can’t invest directly in Neuralink because the company is not publicly traded and is looking for alternatives.
| Broker | US stock fees | Minimum Deposit | Available countries |
| Interactive Brokers | Free for US investors. Up to $0.0035 per share (min $0.35) for international investors | $/€/£0 | Worldwide – exceptions apply. |
| eToro | $1 | $50 (varies for different countries) | Worldwide – exceptions apply. |
Interactive Brokers: Founded in 1978, IBKR is one of the world’s most trustworthy brokers. It offers an enormous range of financial products (stocks, ETFs, Options), and low currency conversion fees (FX fees). It also launched IBKR GlobalTrader, a modern mobile trading app to trade stocks, ETFs, and options, ideal for novice investors.
eToro: The leading social trading platform with 30M+ users worldwide. Copy other traders/investors, invest in one of the pre-built portfolios, or trade for yourself with 0% commissions on ETFs (other fees apply).
The Bottom Line
Looking to invest in Elon Musk’s innovative Neuralink venture? Unfortunately, you can’t buy Neuralink stocks right now because the company is not publicly traded. Neuralink focuses on connecting the human brain with technology, but it’s privately held and primarily funded by private sources, including Elon Musk.
While Neuralink’s future on the stock market remains uncertain, you can still explore other investment options. Consider Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) like iShares Neuroscience and Healthcare ETF (IBRN) or Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic ETF (BOTZ) for exposure to neurotech and AI sectors.
You can also explore established companies such as Amgen (AMG) and AstraZeneca (AZN) that are making strides in neurotechnology and biotech. For investment, Interactive Brokers and eToro are reputable brokerage platforms to explore.
