Dutch Startup Secures Funding for Brain Implants That Restore Sight
Amsterdam, Friday, 9 October 2026.
Dutch medtech startup Phosphoenix has secured €1.3 million to prepare for human trials of an AI-powered brain implant designed to restore sight by bypassing damaged eyes.
A Breakthrough in Neurotechnology and Healthtech
The recent financial milestone achieved by Phosphoenix positions the company at the forefront of healthtech and neurotechnology [2][3]. Categorized firmly within the medical technology (medtech) sector, this innovation represents a fusion of artificial intelligence and neuroscience designed to address profound physical limitations [1]. The company is based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with its scientific roots deeply embedded in the Amsterdam-based Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (Nederlands Instituut voor Neurowetenschappen) [1][4]. The development of this clinical-grade technology is led by CEO Hans Brons, alongside co-founders Bert Monna, Pieter Roelfsema, and Xing Chen [2].
Bypassing the Eye: How the Fountain Probe Works
Under normal physiological conditions, visual information travels from the eye to the retina, and then through the visual pathway to the brain [1]. When patients experience irreparable damage to the retina or the optic nerve, this pathway is permanently disrupted, rendering traditional optical treatments ineffective [1]. Phosphoenix’s technology completely bypasses the damaged eyes and directly stimulates the visual cortex of the brain [1]. At the core of this neuroprosthetic system is the Fountain Probe™, a proprietary brain implant equipped with more than 1,000 micro-electrodes [1]. This probe sends controlled electrical signals directly to a specific visual region of the brain known as the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) [1].
Addressing Global Blindness and Restoring Independence
The societal and clinical benefits of this technology are profound, particularly given that approximately 40 million people worldwide live with severe blindness [1]. For individuals with irreversible ocular damage, there have historically been no effective treatment options to restore functional vision [1]. According to Sara Schaafsma, investment manager at ROM InWest, this technology has the potential to be truly life-changing by fostering greater self-reliance, reducing the need for constant external assistance, and enabling patients to participate actively in society once again [1].
Funding Velocity and the Path to Human Trials
The €1.3 million funding round, closed in September 2026, was supported by a consortium of investors including ROM InWest, 819 Capital Partners, BioGeneration Ventures (BGV), and Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland [2][3]. These funds are dedicated to accelerating preparations for the company’s first-in-human (FIH) clinical trials, which are scheduled to begin in 2027 in collaboration with the Amsterdam UMC [1][2]. To fully execute its long-term clinical development program, Phosphoenix is already preparing for an upcoming Series A funding round targeting approximately €20 million [1]. This target represents a scale of 15.385 times the capital raised in their current seed round, reflecting the capital-intensive nature of advancing high-stakes neuroprosthetics toward commercial and regulatory approval [1][GPT].