Measuring Brain Capital: A new Platform for Unleashing the Flourishing Brain
Experts dive into how neuroscience and AI are transforming brain health from theory to a measurable, multi-trillion-dollar industry. Attendees learn about cutting-edge tools that can quantify brain health, linking it directly to enhanced productivity across education, mental health, and workforce development.
Discussants:
Steve Carnevale, Founding Partner, Blue Ash Ventures – Moderator
Joshua Arnold, EdD, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Impacter Pathway
Marie Gill, CEO and Co-Founder, Aetheon
Ali Khan, CEO, SHAPE Global
Bechara Saab, PhD, CEO and Chief Scientist, Mobio Interactive
Meg Small, PhD, Director of Social Innovation, Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University
Eric Zimmerman, MPH MBA, Chief Marketing and Marketing Solutions Officer, CredibleMind
A pioneering cohort of entrepreneurs, educators, scientists, and investors came together in this high-impact session to showcase how neuroscience and artificial intelligence (AI) are being translated into scalable tools for human flourishing across education, mental health, workforce development, and public policy. Moderator Steve Carnevale framed the discussion by noting the maturation of the brain capital movement—no longer theoretical but operational—powered by advances in AI and neuroscience and backed by the business case for measurement and impact.
The session highlighted cutting-edge tools and frameworks that link brain health to workforce and educational outcomes. Blue Ash Ventures introduced the Brain Health Matrix to connect productivity with measurable brain health indicators, while SHAPE Global unveiled a validated system tracking over 150 data points tied to employee flourishing. Additional innovations included platforms using AI and biometrics to deliver personalized, objective mental health support, talent development tools focused on future-ready skills, and educational assessments that quantify soft skills in K-12 students. The discussion also underscored the role of public-private partnerships in accelerating innovation through streamlined research and data-sharing infrastructure.
“We are at the beginning of a multi-trillion-dollar industry. Just like 1980 was the start of biotech, this is the start of brain tech.”— Steve Carnevale, Blue Ash Ventures
“The ability to quantify human behavior changes everything… It puts brain health on the balance sheet, and that’s when the world starts paying attention.” — Ali Khan, SHAPE Global
Recommendations
Deploy validated AI and neuroscience tools to measure and strengthen brain health in schools, workplaces, and healthcare systems.
Anchor brain capital metrics in quantifiable business and public ROI to drive adoption.
Scale cross-sector partnerships to support real-time research translation and collective learning.
Secure employee and user trust by embedding data privacy, confidentiality, and ethical governance into all applications.
Invest in tools that surface under-measured indicators like creativity, belonging, and transferable skills.
Apply quantification frameworks like the Brain Health Matrix to communities and public institutions, enabling social impact financing.
“We’re not going to solve any social problems unless we bring private industry, public government, and philanthropy to the table. Each holds part of the solution.” — Dr. Meg Small, Penn State / Spark Foundation
Next Steps
Launch the Brain Health Matrix on June 10 with open access for organizational onboarding.
Develop public-private collaborations with Penn State's Spark Foundation to accelerate R&D and data sharing.
Implement a “flourishing communities” certification model and link social impact investment strategies.
Integrate AI into education, health, and workforce platforms to build a global movement for measurable brain capital.
