Cognixion
Cognixion builds non-invasive brain-computer interface headsets and AAC software that restore communication for people with severe motor and speech impairments from ALS, stroke, and spinal cord injury, serving individuals, clinicians, and research institutions globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersSanta Barbara, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cognixion does
Cognixion is a Santa Barbara-headquartered neurotechnology company founded in 2014 by Andreas Forsland that develops non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) products to restore communication and environmental control for individuals with severe motor and speech impairments, including ALS, spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, and locked-in syndrome. Its core platform combines EEG-based neural signal acquisition, augmented reality (AR) display, eye tracking, head-pose sensing, and adaptive AI language models into a wearable headset (Cognixion ONE / Axon-R) that lets users generate text and speech through thought, gaze, or facial expressions. The company also sells Speakprose and Speakprose Pro+, consumer AAC apps on the Apple App Store that leverage the Apple TrueDepth camera for eye and facial tracking, and a Nucleus bio-sensing hub that integrates with Apple Vision Pro's accessibility APIs in an ongoing clinical study.
The business model combines consumer software subscriptions (Speakprose at $9.99/month, $99.99/year, or $149.99 one-time), research-hardware sales of the Axon-R platform through direct sales and a distribution partnership with Blackrock Neurotech, and a future medical-device revenue stream gated on FDA clearance of Cognixion ONE, after which CMS accreditation as a durable medical equipment supplier is expected to enable Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance reimbursement. Customers span three segments: end-user individuals with disabilities, clinicians and health systems (Northwell Health, Johns Hopkins, Mass General, Memorial Hermann, Veterans Health Administration, ALS Accel), and research institutions purchasing Axon-R for neuroscience and neurorehabilitation work. Distribution is multi-channel: Apple App Store for software, direct enterprise sales and Blackrock for research hardware, and (pending FDA clearance) clinical sales supported by insurance reimbursement.
Cognixion has assembled a strategic partner ecosystem that includes Amazon (Alexa Fund investment and Alexa integration), Apple (Vision Pro clinical co-development and accessibility API integration), Pupil Labs (eye-tracking integration), and Blackrock Neurotech (distribution), and holds granted US patents on BCI-for-AR and dynamic eye-tracking camera alignment. The company raised a $12 million seed round led by Prime Movers Lab in November 2021 with Northwell Health, Amazon Alexa Fund, and Volta Circle, followed by a February 2026 exempt offering of approximately $4.05 million, and is pre-revenue on its medical-device side pending FDA clearance of Cognixion ONE.
Cognixion firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cognixion
- Legal name
- COGNIXION, INC.
- Website
- https://cognixion.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cognixion builds non-invasive brain-computer interface headsets and AAC software that restore communication for people with severe motor and speech impairments from ALS, stroke, and spinal cord injury, serving individuals, clinicians, and research institutions globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cognixion industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Brain-Computer Interface Devices
- NAICS
- Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Neurological Monitoring (EEG, Seizure/Sleep/Neuro Wearables) (HLAHACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Devices, Apps & Training (EDAKAIAB), AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) & Speech/Language Therapy Tech (EDAFAKAB), Behavioral Health & Neurocognitive Therapeutics (Digital) (HLACANAI), Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription) (EDAFAKAC)
Keywords
Where Cognixion is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Santa Barbara
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Cognixion business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others, Operations
Revenue model
- Software Subscriptions (Speakprose): Monthly and annual subscription revenue from Speakprose and Speakprose Pro+ AAC communication apps distributed through Apple App Store. Pricing tiers: $9.99/month, $99.99/year, or $149.99 one-time unlimited purchase.
- Hardware Sales (Cognixion ONE Axon-R): Sale of wearable BCI headset devices for research use. Axon-R is available for research institutions through direct sales and Blackrock Neurotech distribution partnership. Medical device (Cognixion ONE) pending FDA clearance for clinical commercial sale.
- Insurance Reimbursement (Future): CMS accreditation obtained for durable medical equipment supplier status, enabling future Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance reimbursement for Cognixion ONE upon FDA clearance.
- Technology Licensing/Integration: Licensing of BCI technology and SDK to research partners and integration partners (e.g., Pupil Labs eye-tracking integration, Blackrock Neurotech distribution)
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Speakprose Monthly Subscription |
| Subscription | Annual | Speakprose Annual Subscription |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Speakprose Unlimited (One-Time) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Speakprose Pro+ Upgrade |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Cognixion product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cognixion develops non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) hardware and AI-powered assistive communication software for individuals with severe motor and speech impairments. The company sells the Axon-R wearable EEG-based BCI research platform to research institutions, the Speakprose AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) application for iOS consumers, and is pursuing FDA clearance for the Cognixion ONE wearable speech-generating device combining wireless BCI with augmented reality for clinical and consumer use.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Axon-R: Non-invasive wearable brain-computer interface platform for research use, combining EEG technology with augmented reality and AI
- Cognixion ONE
- Speakprose
- Speakprose Pro+
- Nucleus
Products and services
- Cognixion ONE Wearable, wireless, non-invasive brain-computer interface headset with integrated augmented reality display designed for people with severe motor and speech impairments. Detects brain responses to visual stimuli and interprets user intent for letter/word selection to generate speech. Has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation and CMS durable medical equipment supplier accreditation.
- Axon-R Research Platform Research-grade wearable EEG-based non-invasive BCI platform with augmented reality interface, designed for neuroscience, neurorehabilitation, and assistive technology research. Integrates multi-modal sensors and supports integration with Pupil Labs eye-tracking. Sold to universities, hospitals, and academic research programs through direct sales and Blackrock Neurotech distribution.
- Speakprose Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) application for iPhone and iPad using Apple TrueDepth camera for eye-tracking and facial-recognition control. Includes predictive keyboard, adaptive AI language support, and Amazon Alexa integration for hands-free smart home control and communication. Available as Speakprose (with optional Speakprose Pro+ in-app upgrade for enhanced eye and facial tracking).
Quantifiable outcome
- Communication speed up to 10x faster than traditional AAC solutions
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Cognixion
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Cognixion technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability8 records
Feature5 records
Cognixion partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ApplecoreClinical study integration of Cognixion's EEG-based BCI with Apple Vision Pro spatial computing platform. Study leverages Apple accessibility features (Eye Tracking, Dwell Control, Switch Control) combined with Cognixion's Nucleus bio-sensing hub and custom EEG headband. Apple's hardware and accessibility APIs serve as platform for Cognixion's clinical research.
- Pupil LabscoreStrategic partnership to combine Cognixion's BCI/EEG/AI/AR technologies with Pupil Labs' advanced eye-tracking solutions. Integration of Pupil Labs' NeonNet eye-tracking software with Axon-R SDK enables seamless cross-platform data collection measuring both visual attention and neural signals. Technical teams began integration with initial releases expected within six months.
- Blackrock NeurotechcoreDistribution partnership where Blackrock Neurotech (leading implantable BCI developer) offers Cognixion's Axon-R wearable BCI platform to research institutions through its distribution network. Non-exclusive distribution agreement enables universities and hospitals to access research-grade non-invasive BCI tools alongside Blackrock's implantable solutions.
- ALS Accel (ALS Association subsidiary)corePartial funder of clinical trial for Cognixion Axon-R in ALS patients. ALS Accel is a subsidiary of the ALS Association providing funding and support for ALS research and technology development.
- Johns HopkinscoreClinical collaboration for BCI applications research with prestigious research institution
- Mass General HospitalcoreClinical research partnership for validation of BCI technology in hospital setting
- Memorial Hermann Health SystemminorHealthcare system partnership for clinical applications of BCI technology
- Veterans Health AdministrationminorFederal healthcare system partnership for BCI research and veteran applications
- Northwell HealthcoreCo-investor in seed funding and clinical development partner. Northwell Health is New York's largest healthcare provider. Dr. Souhel Najjar from Northwell expressed clinical collaboration to assess efficacy of Cognixion technology. Northwell Holdings & Ventures supporting expansion into healthcare provider markets.
- Tom Gruber (Creator of Siri)coreWorld's first and best conversational AI expert teamed up with Cognixion bringing expertise in natural language AI to enhance Cognixion's adaptive AI language systems for communication
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Cognixion competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Neurable: EEG-based BCI company building consumer and productivity neurotechnology (e.g., Enten headphones). Comparable core technology (EEG + AI), but a different end market (consumer wellness/productivity vs. assistive communication) and therefore only partial overlap with Cognixion.
- OpenBCI: Open-source EEG hardware and software platform for research and hobbyist BCI applications. Comparable technology stack and developer ecosystem, but positioned at lower price points for research and education rather than clinical or assistive deployment.
- Precision Neuroscience: Emerging competitor in implantable BCI focused on high-resolution cortical interfaces. Targets overlapping clinical use cases in paralysis and communication, representing another well-funded implant alternative to Cognixion's non-invasive wearable.
- Emotiv: Consumer and research EEG headset maker with an established developer ecosystem. Comparable EEG-based hardware, but focused on wellness, gaming, and research rather than severe-disability communication.
Direct peers
- Neuralink: Direct competitor building a high-bandwidth implantable BCI with an FDA-cleared human trial program. Targets similar communication and mobility use cases; its surgical approach represents the primary alternative pathway to the same patient populations Cognixion addresses.
- Synchron: Direct competitor developing a minimally invasive (endovascular) BCI aimed at restoring communication and digital control for paralyzed patients. Comparable target population (severe motor/speech impairment) and overlapping FDA pathway, but a fundamentally different (surgical) delivery mechanism that contrasts with Cognixion's non-invasive approach.
Broad incumbents
- Tobii Dynavox: Market-leading AAC and eye-tracking assistive technology vendor. Comparable because it serves the same severe speech-impairment population with eye-gaze-based communication devices, and is the primary incumbent alternative to Cognixion's products (Director of PM Lucas Steuber is a former Tobii Dynavox executive).
- Blackrock Neurotech: Established implantable BCI incumbent and research-platform leader; also Cognixion's distribution partner for Axon-R. Comparable because it sells BCI hardware (research-grade and clinical) to the same institutions Cognixion targets, and competes in the broader assistive BCI category with a different modality.
- AssistiveWare: Established iOS AAC app developer (Proloquo, Proloquo4Text) serving the same augmentative communication market as Cognixion's Speakprose. Comparable product category and end-user population, though without BCI or AR hardware integration.
Others
- Pupil Labs: Eye-tracking hardware and software vendor, also a strategic integration partner with Cognixion. Adjacent ecosystem participant: supplies the eye-tracking layer that Cognixion's Nucleus and Axon-R products combine with EEG for multi-modal assistive communication.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat7 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cognixion social profiles
Digital presenceCognixion financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cognixion leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Cognixion funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cognixion M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cognixion
What does Cognixion do?
Cognixion develops non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) hardware and AI-powered assistive communication software for individuals with severe motor and speech impairments. The company sells the Axon-R wearable EEG-based BCI research platform to research institutions, the Speakprose AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) application for iOS consumers, and is pursuing FDA clearance for the Cognixion ONE wearable speech-generating device combining wireless BCI with augmented reality for clinical and consumer use.
Is Cognixion a public or private company?
Cognixion is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Cognixion founded?
Cognixion was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cognixion based?
Cognixion is headquartered in Santa Barbara, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cognixion make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Software Subscriptions (Speakprose) is the primary driver. The others are hardware Sales (Cognixion ONE Axon-R), insurance Reimbursement (Future) and technology Licensing/Integration.
Who are Cognixion's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Neurable, OpenBCI, Precision Neuroscience and Emotiv. Direct peers are Neuralink and Synchron. Broad incumbents are Tobii Dynavox, Blackrock Neurotech and AssistiveWare. Pupil Labs is listed as an others.
Does Cognixion have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cognixion.
What industry is Cognixion in?
Cognixion's product category is Brain-Computer Interface Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHACAE, Neurological Monitoring (EEG, Seizure/Sleep/Neuro Wearables), with a secondary code of EDAKAIAB, AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Devices, Apps & Training. Its NAICS code is 334510 and its SIC code is 3845.