Israeli Startup Hemispheric Raises $52 Million to Launch AI Brainwave Analysis Model

Israeli startup Hemispheric has publicly revealed its technology after six years of development, announcing a $52 million funding round. The company introduced Descartes, an artificial intelligence model designed to analyze brain activity measured non-invasively through EEG (electroencephalogram) and convert it into quantitative metrics to assist doctors and researchers in diagnosis and decision-making.

Hemispheric was founded by Dr. Haggai Lalazar, a neuroscientist, and Gidi Litvin, a co-founder of RealFace, whose technology was acquired by Apple and integrated into Face ID. Litvin also contributed to AI capabilities for Apple Vision Pro glasses. The funding round was led by investors including Hanaco Ventures, OneMind Awareness Capital, Protocol Labs, L Catterton, Arkin Capital, OurCrowd, and Artofin, alongside private investors such as Howard Morgan, Naomi Azrieli, Yasmin Lukach, and Scott Belsky.

The Descartes model incorporates six billion parameters and was trained on over 250,000 hours of EEG data, supplemented by behavioral and additional data from more than 100,000 participants via the company’s research network. Hemispheric claims this is one of the largest private brain activity datasets globally. Unlike other organs where objective tests aid diagnosis, brain health assessments often rely on questionnaires and clinical evaluations. The company aims to provide quantitative measures for early disease detection, distinguishing between different disorders, and tailoring treatments.

Initially, Hemispheric plans to focus on applications related to PTSD, mild brain injuries, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease. The non-invasive test takes about 15 minutes, during which patients wear an EEG helmet while performing tasks on a tablet or smartphone. The AI model analyzes the data to support diagnosis, treatment selection, and ongoing patient monitoring.

Alongside technology development, Hemispheric is advancing regulatory approval, having presented its platform to the FDA’s Center for Medical Devices and Radiological Health. The company is working to expand usage in the US and Europe and collaborates with government bodies and pharmaceutical companies. Currently, Hemispheric employs 112 staff across neuroscience, AI, software engineering, electronics, and medical systems. The new funds will support US expansion, data collection growth, regulatory processes, and partnerships with healthcare systems and industry.