USA: Neuralink received the status of a “disadvantaged small business” against the background of an estimate of $ 9 billion

The company Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk and specializing in the development of brain-computer interfaces, received the status of "disadvantaged small business" in the register of the US Small Business Administration. The move resonated with the technology and investment community, as the company was valued at $ 9 billion shortly after the filing, following a new $ 650 million funding round.

Officially, the status of Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) is granted to enterprises where at least 51% of shares belong to socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. This status gives companies advantages in tenders and when concluding contracts with federal agencies. However, the US Department of Justice has previously prosecuted a number of companies for falsely claiming to belong to the SDB.

Despite the fact that Musk heads a number of major private technology companies, including Tesla, SpaceX and AI startup xAI, this status raises questions about the transparency of business practices. The application was filed in April, when Musk served as the head of the Department of Public Administration Efficiency (DOGE), whose activities were aimed at reducing bureaucracy and government spending.

Formally, the contact person in the Neuralink application was Jared Burchall — head of the Musk family office and one of the key managers in its business structures. There are no substantive comments from the company at the time of publication.

Neuralink is registered in the state of Nevada and focuses on the development of BCI technologies that allow patients with paralysis to control digital devices using neural signals. According to the company, fresh investments will be aimed at expanding the range of patients and launching new devices that combine biological and artificial intelligence.

The list of investors includes leading funds, including ARK Invest, Founders Fund, Sequoia Capital and Thrive Capital. At the same time, Musk continues to actively participate in other large — scale projects-from the development of AI solutions to transport infrastructure and space programs.

At the level of public policy, Musk is known for criticizing programs related to inclusion, equity, and diversification. Under his leadership, DOGE managed to cancel hundreds of millions of dollars previously allocated to educational and social initiatives, which also increased tensions over the compliance of its businesses with the stated social criteria.

The story of obtaining SDB status amid billions of dollars of investment and a record market valuation is a signal for regulators and investors to reconsider the principles of certification and accounting in the US innovation economy.