What if your brain became your password? That’s the idea Yneuro is working on. The French startup is developing technology capable of authenticating a user based on their neural activity. One year after winning the “Startup of the Year” award at Nexus Luxembourg, where it was up against nearly 140 startups, the company says it has reached a new milestone: the signing of its first two commercial contracts and the start of the roll-out phase.
When Yneuro took to the stage at Luxexpo in June 2025, it was still presenting a technology in the development phase. Twelve months later, the narrative has changed. The French startup, founded by its CEO, Thomas Semah, and with scientific leadership provided by CSO Arnault Caillet, is no longer talking solely about research. It is now discussing commercialisation, recruitment and international expansion.
From the laboratory to the first contracts
Since its victory at Nexus, the company has continued to develop Neuro ID, its neural authentication technology. According to its executives, the solution has been tested on 108,000 people and across some 30 different products to assess how it performs in various usage scenarios.
This work marks the culmination of several years of research. The company now says it is entering a new phase in its development. “We have reached the commercial roll-out stage,” explains Thomas Semah. This development is reflected in particular by the signing of the first two contracts. The team is also continuing to grow to support this new phase.
The origins of the project
But the origins of the project go back to a situation that was far simpler than the cybersecurity challenges the company faces today.
My dad used to say to me: ‘Son, I need your help because I want to watch my film […]. I can’t get online.’
Thomas Semah explains that the idea for Yneuro came to him as he observed his father struggling with the ever-increasing number of passwords and authentication procedures in everyday life. “My father used to say to me: ‘Son, I need your help because I really want to watch my film and the 8 o’clock news. I can’t log in.’” Between bank accounts, streaming platforms, email addresses and multiple access codes, the founder began to think about an identification method capable of working without a password and without any specific action on the part of the user.
Transforming brain activity by identifying
At the heart of the project lies Neuro ID, a technology based on what the company calls a ‘neural signature’. “We’re going to use it to authenticate people,” explains Arnault Caillet. The aim is to create an alternative to passwords, fingerprints and facial recognition by using the electrical signals naturally produced by the brain.
The solution is designed to work with connected devices worn on the head, such as smart glasses, in-ear headphones or virtual reality headsets. It should be noted that Yneuro does not develop these devices. Its business model is based on the sale of software intended for integration into third-party manufacturers’ products.
We deal purely with biometrics. We’re not going to read minds.
The company is also keen to distinguish its technology from other applications of neurotechnology. “We deal purely with biometrics. We’re not going to read minds,” insists Arnault Caillet. According to the scientific director, the technology is used solely to authenticate a user via a signature unique to them.
The Nexus effect
For Thomas Semah, the victory at Nexus in 2025 was more than just symbolic recognition. The competition gave Yneuro visibility among investors, institutions and technology players met in Luxembourg. This exposure helped accelerate the startup’s international network development. “We made a huge number of contacts,” says the founder.
A year after the competition, engagement with the Luxembourg ecosystem continues. When asked about the possibility of setting up operations in the Grand Duchy, Thomas Semah replied: “We’re definitely working on it. We’re considering it.” The CEO also highlights the quality of the relationships forged since the competition and the ease of communication with the stakeholders met in Luxembourg.
European technology with global ambitions
Founded in 2019 and based in Paris, Yneuro now positions itself as a company specialising in neurotechnology, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Its ambition remains unchanged: to make Neuro ID a new standard in digital authentication. To achieve this, the startup is banking on the rise of wearable connected devices, a market it sees as a natural fit for its technology.
A year after winning the Nexus award, Yneuro finds itself at a pivotal moment in its development. The startup, which in 2025 showcased an innovation developed in the laboratory, now claims to have secured its first commercial contracts and is preparing for the next stage of its market launch.
