Cortical Labs
About
The new frontier for medical research & computing
We’re a biological computing company at the heart of a new era with the world’s first commercial biological computer, the CL1 – available for independent lab use and remote cloud connection.
The CL1 fuses lab-cultivated neurons from human stem cells with hard silicon to create a new, more advanced and sustainable form of AI, known as “Synthetic Biological Intelligence” (SBI). This holds enormous possibilities to advance medical research and solve complex challenges in health, science and technology.
- Location
- Melbourne
- Website
- Visit website
- Founded
- 2019
- Employees
- 1-10
- Industry
- Artificial Intelligence
- Funding stage
- Seed
The Matchstiq Top 2025
Snapshot of Cortical Labs
Pioneering a New Era of Computing
Cortical Labs is redefining what computers can be, by growing actual human and mouse neurons and integrating them with silicon chips to build biological computers.
Based in Melbourne, this bold biotech startup has already demonstrated the potential of its platform by teaching neurons to play Pong. Cortical Labs isn’t just building chips, it’s forging an entirely new category of computing that merges neuroscience, AI, and synthetic biology.
Their mission? To accelerate progress toward artificial general intelligence (AGI), radically reduce energy consumption in computing, and enable breakthroughs in medical research without relying on animal testing.
Why Cortical Labs Is a Great Place to Work
Be Part of Science Non-Fiction This is not your average startup. At Cortical Labs, you’ll be part of a groundbreaking team at the frontier of biological computing, literally teaching neurons how to compute. If you've ever dreamed of changing what "computer" even means, this is your chance.
World-Class Founders and Team Founded by Dr. Hon Weng Chong (CEO), with a multidisciplinary team including scientists like Brett Kagan (CSO) and hardware pioneers like Andrew Doherty (CHO), the company brings together deep expertise in biology, software, and hardware. You'll work alongside some of the brightest minds in neuroscience, engineering, and AI.
A Real Shot at AGI While most paths to artificial general intelligence (AGI) are built on silicon, Cortical Labs is taking a radically different route, using living neurons to build computers that learn in real time. It's a high-risk, high-reward moonshot backed by some of the world’s top investors, including Blackbird Ventures.
Ethics-First Innovation Their work is guided by a strong ethical framework, particularly around the use of human-derived neurons. Cortical Labs is committed to transparency, scientific integrity, and creating a positive impact on humanity—from reducing animal testing to enabling more sustainable AI development.
A Chance of Magic In the words of Blackbird partner Niki Scevak: “There is a chance of magic.” That’s the kind of audacious, visionary thinking that fuels every project at Cortical Labs. It's not just a job, it's an invitation to build the future.
If you're a scientist, engineer, or thinker drawn to the edge of what’s possible, explore careers at Cortical Labs and join the mission to transform computing, health, and the human future.