The brain of an engineer with a tumor and no technology in sight to completely remove it. A terrible thing to waste and a completely unacceptable situation for engineer entrepreneur Avi Yaron. Four surgeries and an invention later, this Joy Ventures CEO and founder of more than a couple of companies — and the chairman of several others — is on a quest to more closely connect science and emotion for better wellness.

Physicians could not heal. Avi’s brain tumor was located in a place too difficult to reach with traditional neurosurgery. Like any great engineer, he challenged the problem head-on. Instead of optic mechanics, he used small silicon chips that mimic an insect eye enabling the camera to provide access to both the right and left portions of the brain within a few millimeters — which is what the surgeon needed to operate more accurately.

Thus was born VisionSense. But Avi didn’t stop there. Listen in as we follow the story from desperation to inspiration to invention. And now Avi is passing it on by launching Joy Ventures, a new kind of investment firm focused on supporting startups willing to explore “neuro wellness”.

The future of medicine, says Avi, is developing a predictive, preventive system that is based on emotional factors. “This is my challenge now,” he says, “I am thankful to whoever wants to join me in this journey.”

Let’s start the understanding of that journey with a bit more from Avi Yaron.

Oh, you should catch his TEDx talk.

 

 

Many thanks to production engineer, Jaeden Froese!