What Arctop does

Arctop is a San Francisco-based private company founded in 2015 that builds software infrastructure for real-time cognitive state decoding from consumer-grade EEG signals. Its core product is a Cognitive State API and accompanying SDK that processes raw EEG from wearable devices (headphones, earbuds, headbands, VR headsets) and emits continuous scores across five dimensions (enjoyment, cognitive workload, auditory focus, flow, and stress) at 1 Hz, with raw EEG processed on-device so neural data never leaves the hardware. The technology targets consumer EEG hardware OEMs as its primary go-to-market, with Master & Dynamic's MW75 Neuro headphones and Tone's CES 2025 brain-sensing earbuds as flagship integrations.

The company also operates an applied research arm that has produced the FCCA algorithm for memory decoding from consumer-grade EEG (published 2024) and the RLbF (Reinforcement Learning from Brain Feedback) framework with its proof-of-concept Isaac platform (introduced May 2026), which post-trains language models against continuous EEG-derived cognitive state rewards using a dual-agent POMDP architecture. A pending U.S. patent application (US20210390366A1) covers empathic computing methods for modulating content delivery via real-time brain-state decoding.

Revenue mechanics center on SDK/API licensing to hardware manufacturers and software developers, supplemented by direct government contracting. The only disclosed contract is a $1.25M AFWERX award (September 2024) to develop cognition-adaptive simulations for U.S. Air Force training. Arctop has raised approximately $15M in private funding across rounds in 2017, 2019, and 2023, and operates with a small team (11-50 employees) led by co-founders Dan Furman (CEO) and Eitan Kay (CTO).

Name

Arctop

Legal name

Arctop Inc.

Website

https://arctop.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Arctop is a private San Francisco company that provides a real-time EEG cognitive state decoding API/SDK to consumer hardware OEMs and AI developers, with on-device processing across five cognitive dimensions and applied research in brain-feedback LLM training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Brain-Computer Interface Software

NAICS

Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (334118)

SIC

Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurological Monitoring (EEG, Seizure/Sleep/Neuro Wearables) (HLAHACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

On-Device Inference Runtimes & SDKs (mobile/embedded) (HDAAAJAB), Smart Fitness & Training Devices (Connected Fitness Sensors, Smart Jump Ropes, etc.) (CRACAQAH)

Keywords

• Brain-computer interface
• EEG signal decoding
• Cognitive state API
• Neural interface SDK
• Real-time brain sensing

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. SDK/API Licensing to Hardware Manufacturers: Arctop provides its cognitive state decoding SDK and API to consumer EEG hardware manufacturers (headphone, earbud, AR/VR companies) who embed the technology into their devices. Revenue likely comes from licensing fees, SDK access fees, or usage-based API pricing for hardware OEMs.
2. Software Developer Access (SDK/API): Software developers and AI companies access cognitive state data via Arctop's API to build cognition-aware applications. The SDK enables plug-and-play integration of brain-computer interface capabilities without neuroscience expertise.
3. Government / Defense Contracts: Arctop secured a $1.25M AFWERX contract to enhance Air Force training through cognition-adaptive simulations, representing a direct government contracting revenue stream.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Arctop provides a real-time cognitive state decoding platform delivered as an SDK and Cognitive State API. The technology processes raw EEG signals from consumer-grade wearable devices—including headphones, earbuds, and AR/VR headsets—and outputs continuous cognitive metrics (enjoyment, workload, focus, flow, stress) at 1 Hz. All EEG processing occurs on-device, ensuring raw brain data never leaves the hardware and preserving user privacy. The platform is licensed to hardware OEMs, AI developers, and government/defense customers.

Product overview

Arctop offers a cognitive intelligence platform centered on real-time EEG-derived cognitive state decoding. The core product is the Arctop Cognitive State API, which processes raw EEG signals from consumer-grade wearable devices (headphones, earbuds, headbands) and outputs continuous cognitive metrics including enjoyment, workload, focus, flow, and stress at 1 Hz. This is delivered via the Arctop SDK for easy developer integration. The Isaac Platform is a research implementation demonstrating closed-loop cognitive feedback with LLMs using the RLbF framework, which trains language models to adapt communication based on decoded cognitive states. Deep Dives provides published research on BCI technology, EEG hardware, and applications including the RLbF methodology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Isaac: Proof-of-concept platform implementing the Reinforcement Learning from Brain Feedback (RLbF) closed-loop cognitive feedback architecture for training language models with neurophysiological signals. Named after Isaac Newton.

Products and services

• Arctop Cognitive State API A real-time API that decodes raw EEG signals into continuous cognitive metrics (enjoyment, workload, focus, flow, stress) at 1 Hz, designed for hardware OEMs, AI developers, and application builders who want to embed cognitive-state awareness into their products without building in-house neuroscience/ML infrastructure.
• Arctop SDK A developer SDK that enables hardware OEMs and application developers to integrate Arctop's real-time EEG cognitive-state decoding into consumer wearables (headphones, earbuds, AR/VR headsets) and downstream applications, with on-device processing to keep raw EEG data private.
• Isaac Platform A cognitive-insights platform built on a dual-agent POMDP architecture that interprets real-time cognitive state from EEG signals to deliver higher-level insights (e.g., engagement, focus, flow) for downstream applications such as education, productivity, and human-performance use cases.
• RLbF Framework A framework for training and aligning large language models and other AI systems using real-time, brain-derived cognitive feedback (e.g., engagement, workload) instead of purely behavioral reward signals, enabling AI products to optimize for human cognitive experience.

Quantifiable outcome

• FCCA algorithm outperforms all other known methods for memory decoding from consumer-grade EEG in home environments
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• AFWERX (U.S. Air Force)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2024Arctop secured a $1.25M AFWERX contract to enhance Air Force training through cognition-adaptive simulations. The collaboration aims to develop training systems that adapt in real time to trainees' cognitive states, optimizing learning efficiency and outcomes for military personnel.
• Master & DynamicflagshipTechnology or IntegrationMaster & Dynamic integrated Arctop's EEG cognitive state decoding technology into the MW75 Neuro headphones, embedding multiple EEG electrodes in the ear cushions. The headphones look and feel like regular over-ear headphones while providing real-time cognitive state sensing (focus levels) and adaptive audio experiences. This represents a flagship OEM integration demonstrating Arctop's technology in a premium consumer product.
• Tone (EEG Earbuds)coreTechnology or IntegrationTone debuted brain-sensing wireless earbuds at CES 2025, measuring EEG from inside the ear canal and surrounding areas. The earbuds integrate Arctop-compatible or Arctop-powered cognitive state decoding to enable adaptive audio and brain-health features.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Neurable: Neurable builds EEG-based brain-computer interface products for consumer applications (e.g., Enten headphones for focus tracking). Direct competitor in consumer EEG decoding and OEM integration, targeting the same headphone/wearable OEMs with on-device cognitive state APIs.
• Emotiv: Emotiv manufactures consumer EEG hardware (EPOC X headsets, new EEG earbuds) and offers its own EEG decoding APIs and developer tools. Direct competitor operating both as a hardware OEM and as an EEG software platform that overlaps with Arctop's SDK model.
• Muse (Interaxon): Muse sells consumer EEG meditation headbands and provides developer APIs for brain-signal-driven applications. Direct competitor in the consumer EEG + developer platform space, with overlapping use cases in focus, meditation, and adaptive audio.
• OpenBCI: OpenBCI provides open-source EEG hardware and software tools for researchers and developers building BCI applications. Direct competitor in the EEG platform/SDK category, with comparable developer-facing tooling and overlap with Arctop's hardware-agnostic positioning.
• Kernel: Kernel develops non-invasive brain-sensing hardware (Kernel Flow, Kernel Flux) and cognitive measurement APIs targeting both consumer and enterprise. Direct competitor in non-invasive consumer-grade cognitive state decoding, though with higher-end hardware positioning.

Emerging players

• Neurosity: Neurosity makes the Notion and Crown consumer EEG headsets aimed at focus and productivity, with developer APIs. Emerging competitor with narrower product line than Arctop's OEM licensing model but overlapping target use cases.
• Cognixion: Cognixion develops EEG-integrated AR headsets (Cognixion ONE) primarily for accessibility and communication applications. Emerging player with overlapping BCI + AR/VR + EEG technology, though focused on assistive use cases rather than Arctop's broader consumer/AI training positioning.

Broad incumbents

• NextMind (acquired by Snap): NextMind built EEG-based brain-computer interface hardware for AR/VR and was acquired by Snap in 2022. Now part of Snap's AR hardware roadmap — a broader incumbent that validates the consumer EEG-for-AR/VR thesis Arctop targets, while potentially competing in the same hardware-embedded BCI layer.
• Apple (Health / Vision Pro): Apple's health, AirPods, and Vision Pro divisions represent a broad incumbent with the resources and platform reach to integrate cognitive state sensing into mainstream consumer hardware. If Apple ships on-device cognitive metrics natively, it would compress the OEM licensing market Arctop depends on.
• Meta Reality Labs: Meta's Reality Labs division develops AR/VR hardware (Quest, Ray-Ban Meta) and has invested in neural interface research (EMG wristbands). Broad incumbent that could integrate EEG-based cognitive state decoding into its consumer hardware, representing both a major potential customer and a competing platform owner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors5 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arctop