I am the founder of River, a brain-computer interface company. We are building a chronic implant that decodes language and movement without damaging the brain, starting with speech and motor restoration. Our long-term goal is to give everyone a direct line from thought to action; just think, and it's done.

Before River, I built a number of products and businesses. You can see them here.

My path through life has been somewhat unconventional.

I was born in Brazil and grew up between Australia, the US, and New Zealand. I became an electrician's apprentice at 11. Being small in stature and a capable electrician, I was recruited (illegally) to work commercial construction sites in the Boston area, because I could fit into the crawlspaces and did fast, professional work. At the age of 15, I left home with $2,000, moved from Boston to New Zealand, enrolled myself in high school, and worked 50-hour weeks washing dishes, digging ditches, and painting houses to cover my board and tuition. It was my only full year of formal education, and I graduated with top marks in maths, physics, chemistry, and biology.

These days, I spend most of my time in San Francisco, Singapore, and Australia, though the world is small and I like to be with people in person.

Those who know me say I am a doer, not a talker. When we meet, you'll find that humorous.