Episode #110 | Neurotech Investing With Varun Turlapati, Chaanakya Capital

Neurotech is the category most investors whisper about and then walk away from: too technical, too regulated, too slow. We wanted to talk to someone who leans in anyway, so I sat down with Varun Turlapati, founder of Chanakya Capital, to hear how he’s building an early-stage fund dedicated to neurotech devices and why he thinks the “long horizon” objection often misses what’s actually happening on the ground.We unpack Varun’s path from software engineering into venture capital, including the mindset shift from analysis paralysis to fast iteration with smart guardrails. From there, we widen the frame on what neurotech means. Yes, brain-computer interfaces matter, but we also get into neuromodulation, bioelectronics, and the nervous system as the body’s command network, linking the brain, gut, and heart, and addressing disease. That lens turns “niche” into “everyone with a brain,” and it changes how you think about markets, clinical impact, and investable product strategy.Varun also shares the practical mechanics of deep tech investing: how he triages an 80+ company pipeline, separates “interesting” from “investable,” and brings in PhD scientists, physicians, and specialist advisors to evaluate clinical workflows and real differentiation. We dive into real examples across neuroprosthetics, Alzheimer’s, ADHD, and autism wearables, and a smart shunt for hydrocephalus, plus how regulatory signals like Breakthrough Device Designation can reshape the risk profile.If you care about neurotech startups, medical devices, FDA pathways, or where venture capital goes after AI becomes commoditized, this conversation will sharpen your evaluation of both science and execution. Subscribe to Lattice, share this with a founder or investor who’s curious about neurotech, and leave a review with the biggest question you still have about building in this space.Show notes: https://3dheals.com/episode-110-neurotech-investing-with-varun-turlapati-chaanakya-capital/YouTube recording: coming soonSend us Fan MailSupport the showSubscribe to our premium version and support the show. Follow us: Twitter  Instagram Linkedin 3DHEALS WebsiteFacebookFacebook GroupYoutube channelAbout Pitch3D