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Reid Hoffman Bets on AI-Guided Mental Health Tech with $12M Investment in Sanmai
3 min read Reid Hoffman just led a \$12M investment in Sanmai, a startup building AI-guided ultrasound helmets to treat anxiety and depression at home—no surgery, no implants, just smart tech under \$500. Neurotech just got consumer-friendly. June 25, 2025 13:13
LinkedIn co-founder and OpenAI investor Reid Hoffman just led a $12 million funding round for Sanmai Technologies, a neurotech startup developing AI-powered, non-invasive ultrasound helmets designed to treat mental health conditions without surgery.
What’s Sanmai building?
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The company’s device uses focused ultrasound waves to target specific brain regions—aiming to treat anxiety, depression, and even enhance cognitive function.
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It pairs this tech with an AI coaching system inside a sleek, wearable helmet, priced under $500 for at-home use.
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Hoffman has also joined the board via his Aphorism Foundation, calling Sanmai’s approach “much less risky” than invasive alternatives like Neuralink.
Where it stands now
Sanmai is currently testing its anxiety treatment prototype at its Sunnyvale facility, with plans to move into FDA trials.
Why it matters
From Elon Musk’s Neuralink to Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates–backed brain startups, tech billionaires are betting big on neurotech. But while many focus on brain-computer interfaces, Sanmai is offering a gentler, AI-assisted alternative. With its non-invasive design and consumer-friendly price tag, it might just be the breakthrough that brings neurotech into the mainstream—without drilling into your skull.
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