Background

Phoenix Peng is a serial entrepreneur in China’s neurotechnology sector, having co-founded NeuroXess — one of the country’s leading implantable BCI companies backed by government funding — before launching Gestala to pursue noninvasive ultrasound brain-computer interfaces.

NeuroXess Foundation

At NeuroXess, Peng helped build one of China’s most advanced implantable BCI platforms, completing human trials and establishing the company as a key player in the Chinese government’s BCI development agenda. The experience provided deep expertise in neural signal processing, regulatory navigation, and clinical translation within China’s healthcare system.

Gestala and Ultrasound

Peng founded Gestala in 2024 to explore focused ultrasound neuromodulation — a noninvasive approach that can target deep brain structures with millimeter precision without surgery. The company’s initial focus on chronic pain treatment represents a large addressable market with significant unmet clinical need.

Industry Significance

Peng’s trajectory from invasive to noninvasive BCI reflects a broader industry trend toward lower-barrier-to-entry approaches. His dual company experience positions him uniquely within China’s rapidly growing neurotechnology ecosystem, bridging surgical BCI expertise with consumer-accessible ultrasound technology.