Neuralink Valued at 12 Trillion Won, Currently Raising Investment Funds

Valuations of Musk's Private Companies Soar Rapidly in a Short Period

Bloomberg News reported on April 23 (local time) that the valuation of Neuralink, the neuroscience startup operated by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, could reach $8.5 billion (approximately 12.13 trillion won).

According to Bloomberg, citing anonymous sources, Neuralink has begun discussions with potential investors to raise about $500 million, based on a pre-money valuation of $8.5 billion.

Reuters Yonhap News

However, the sources noted that these fundraising terms have not been finalized and may change in the future.

Previously, according to financial market data provider PitchBook, Neuralink was valued at $3.5 billion as of November 2023. If the $8.5 billion valuation is confirmed in this fundraising round, the company's value will have increased by $5 billion in about a year and a half.

A Neuralink spokesperson did not respond to Bloomberg's request for comment on the report.

Neuralink has been conducting experiments to implant brain-computer interface (BCI) devices in the brain to remotely connect the human brain and computers. The goal is to enable people with physical impairments who cannot use their limbs to control various devices through the implanted device in their brain.

Noland Arbaugh, a quadriplegic patient and the first recipient of Neuralink's procedure, reportedly began living a new life after receiving the BCI implant in January last year, enjoying various games such as chess using only his thoughts for over a year. He also stated that his ability to control devices via the chip improved after a year post-surgery.

Bloomberg reported that the valuations of Musk's unlisted companies, including Neuralink, have soared in recent years. SpaceX, the space company, was valued at about $350 billion during a stock tender offer in December last year, while artificial intelligence (AI) startup xAI was recently valued at $80 billion through its merger with X (formerly Twitter). As a result, Musk currently maintains his position as the world's richest person, with an estimated net worth of $301 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.