Chaanakya

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

Category: Blog,Influencer Interviews,podcast
blank blank Apr 14, 2026

Varun Turlapati does not stay where he is no longer learning. The moment a role becomes routine, he seeks the next challenge and pushes himself to explore unfamiliar territory to keep growing. That drive to avoid stagnation has defined his career and taken him from software engineering into venture capital, a field he did not even know existed until 2015. Over the next decade, Turlapati carved his own path by learning by doing and embracing risk. His dedication and passion led to the creation of Chaanakya Capital, a company that invests in transformative neurotech and neuro-focused medtech startups. The name was inspired by an ancient Indian philosopher and strategist whose work, the Arthashastra, translates to “the science and technique of wealth”. For Turlapati, that legacy reflects a way of investing that is disciplined, strategic, and grounded in long-term thinking. Turlapati is focused on neurotechnology, where he believes in backing a future in which understanding the brain could reshape how medicine is practiced. The field of neurotech is a space many investors avoid because the science is complex, the timelines are long, and the technical risks are real. But Varun Turlapati sees that complexity differently. To him, the brain is all-encompassing and expansive. It is the command center behind movement, memory, emotion, and even metabolism, which makes neurotech one of the most important frontiers in healthcare. In this episode, he shares how he built Chaanakya Capital to invest at that edge and why the most meaningful opportunities often live in the places other people are too hesitant to explore.

⚠️ Disclaimer:
This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed do not constitute engineering, medical, or financial advice. The technologies and procedures discussed may not be commercially available or suitable for every case. Always consult with a qualified professional

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About Our Guest

Varun Turlapati

Varun Turlapati is the Managing Director of Chanakya Capital, an early-stage venture fund focused on neurotechnology and medtech. As an operator-investor, he works closely with founders to translate rigorous scientific research into scalable, real-world solutions. Varun brings nearly two decades of experience in software engineering and product leadership, having held roles ranging from senior engineer to fractional CTO and VP of Engineering advisor. His background spans building and leading technical teams, developing complex systems, and guiding early-stage companies through growth and execution challenges.

In addition to his work at Chanakya Capital, Varun co-founded Astute Crew, a boutique practice focused on neuroengineering, technical diligence, grant support, and founder education. He also serves on multiple boards and collaborates with companies and ecosystems across North America, India, and beyond. His investment philosophy centers on disciplined thinking, continuous learning, and bridging the gap between academia and industry. Through his work, Varun is particularly focused on advancing neurotechnology as a transformative force in medicine, supporting innovations that address complex neurological and systemic diseases. 

Key Takeaways

  • Chaanakya Capital is an early-stage fund focused specifically on neurotech device startups, with investment stages ranging from pre-seed through Series A. 
  • Varun’s interest in venture began when he saw how VCs could shape conversations across technology, business, and product, not just finance.He built his path into venture deliberately, using software engineering roles, side learning, and fellowships to close his own knowledge gaps before launching the fund.
  • His first angel investment was in PSYONIC, and the deal was strongly influenced by his wife’s deep neuroengineering background and her confidence in the company’s technical foundation.
  • Varun looks for companies that pair scientific depth with real-world commercial and clinical traction, not just interesting technology. He argues that neurotech is still underappreciated, and that the best time to invest is before the category becomes obvious to everyone else.
  • He believes deep tech companies often take longer to mature, but that university incubation, non-dilutive funding, and strong research foundations can make them more investable than they first appear.
  • Chaanakya Capital uses expert advisors, scientists, and physicians to triage deal flow and filter out companies that are technically exciting but not yet investable. Varun sees large opportunities in areas like neuroprosthetics, neurostimulation, neuromodulation, Alzheimer’s, ADHD, autism, and hydrocephalus.
  • He is especially interested in companies that can show meaningful clinical benefit while also creating an eventual path to broader market expansion, such as industrial robotics or adjacent healthcare applications

Portfolio Themes

  • PSYONIC is one of Chaanakya Capital’s most visible investments and exemplifies Varun’s interest in neurotech with crossover potential into robotics. He sees PSYONIC’s ability to train on real human data as an important differentiator that can inform both prosthetic use and robotics applications.
  • He also invested in NeuroEM, a company working on Alzheimer ’s-related technology and interventions.
  • Another investment, PigPug Health, focuses on ADHD and autism through wearable neurofeedback tools that make testing more comfortable and more usable for children and families.
  • Varun highlighted Madison Scientific, which is developing a smart shunt for hydrocephalus patients, as another strong example of practical, high impact neurotech.
  • Across the portfolio, he favors products that improve diagnosis, monitoring, or therapy in ways that are clinically meaningful, even when the markets are narrow or the timelines are long.

Resources

🔗 Chaanakya Capital and Varun Turlapati

🔗 Portfolio and Related Companies

🔗  Foundational Reading on Neurotechnology

🔗 Strategy and Philosophy

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