You know him from Half-Life and Steam, but Gabe Newell has just entered a very different kind of game.
The Valve co-founder is now backing Starfish Technologies, a bold startup building next-generation brain implants to fight neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease.
Starfish is focused on developing advanced brain-computer interface (BCI) chips that can connect to multiple areas of the brain simultaneously. These ultra-efficient chips are designed to be wireless, battery-free, and capable of both recording and stimulating neural activity.
Unlike many invasive systems, Starfish aims for low-energy, minimally invasive solutions—bringing new precision to the way we treat complex disorders like Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and even mental health conditions.
The first-gen prototypes are expected by the end of 2025, and the company is currently recruiting engineers and neuroscientists to expand the team.
While tech giants like Apple, Sony, and Neuralink race to dominate brain-tech, Starfish stands out by steering directly into the medical and neuroscience field, rather than consumer or enhancement markets.
For Newell, it’s a leap from digital entertainment to neurotechnology with real-world impact—and it could be his most meaningful project yet.