Kernel

Kernel designs and manufactures non-invasive neuroimaging systems that bring brain scanning capabilities outside traditional hospital and laboratory environments. The company's flagship products include the Flow, a temporal-difference functional near-infrared spectroscopy (TD-fNIRS) helmet that measures blood oxygen levels in the brain with high spatial and temporal resolution, and the Flux, a magnetoencephalography (MEG) system for recording neural electrical activity. These wearable devices enable researchers to conduct neuroscience studies in naturalistic settings, fundamentally expanding where and how brain research can be conducted.

Founded by entrepreneur Bryan Johnson and based in Culver City, California, Kernel has raised over $53 million in private funding to advance its mission of making brain measurement accessible at scale. The company has established itself as a leader in portable neuroimaging by developing proprietary sensor technology and algorithms that overcome historical limitations of functional brain imaging. Their systems are being deployed by research institutions and universities globally, supporting studies ranging from basic neuroscience to applied research in cognitive function and brain health.

Kernel addresses a critical bottleneck in neuroscience research by removing the physical and financial barriers that have confined high-quality brain imaging to clinical settings. By democratizing access to neuroimaging tools, the company enables researchers to study brain function in diverse populations and real-world contexts, accelerating discovery in consciousness, learning, and neurological conditions. This shift from hospital-based to portable, scalable brain measurement has the potential to transform how neuroscience research is conducted and ultimately how we understand human cognition and develop brain-based interventions.