Backyard Brains

Backyard Brains occupies a specialized intersection of STEM education, low-cost laboratory hardware, and introductory neuroscience research. Its core differentiation is the translation of electrophysiology workflows into classroom- and maker-friendly kits covering human muscle and nerve signals, EEG, EKG, plant activity, invertebrate neurons, and neuroengineering experiments. The company also combines physical devices with BYB Spike Recorder software, experiment guides, lesson plans, and curriculum alignment for NGSS, AP Biology, AP Psychology, Anatomy and Physiology, Engineering, and Common Core contexts. This integrated approach distinguishes it from general science-kit providers that typically lack real-time biological signal acquisition, and from university laboratory equipment vendors whose systems are more expensive and less curriculum-oriented. The product portfolio suggests a niche position focused on accessibility and hands-on learning rather than clinical diagnostics or high-end research instrumentation. Four NIH-related grants and classroom validation provide evidence of scientific and educational credibility, but the company’s modest employee range and limited recent public activity indicate a focused, specialized operation.

Backyard Brains was founded in Ann Arbor in 2009 by Greg Gage and Timothy Marzullo, and its financing history shows a grant-led path rather than repeated venture rounds. The company raised $6,109,162 across 10 recorded rounds, including two Pre-Seed financings from Start-Up Chile totaling $145,000 and seven grants from 2011 through 2020. The largest recorded award was a $2,350,756 National Institute of Mental Health grant announced on May 19, 2017, followed by a $1,798,563 grant on Mar 25, 2013. Product development expanded from SpikerBox systems for neural and physiological recording into plant electrophysiology, RoboRoach neuroengineering, SpikerBot, Spiker:bit, and analysis software. Mobile applications such as Spike Recorder and BYB Remote extend the product ecosystem, though recorded download levels are small. The current employee range is 11–50, with two featured current positions, and hiring is reportedly paused because of grant cuts. This points to durable technical and educational continuity, but a constrained near-term expansion profile and limited evidence of post-2020 funding growth.