Zander Labs develops neuroadaptive technologies for human-machine interaction.

Introducing Zander Labs and the people who founded and shaped the startup

Zander Labs is a German-Dutch company active in the deep-tech sector. We research and develop neuroadaptive technologies. With our passive brain-computer interfaces (pBCIs), we are pioneers in this field. They allow us to gain non-invasive insights into a person's mental state. Our goal is to advance the technology to the point where machines can respond to human users in real time – that they can understand us, adapt to us, and evolve alongside us. To achieve this goal, neuroscientists, innovators, and engineers work closely together at our company. The company was founded by Prof. Dr. Thorsten O. Zander, now Chief Scientist of Zander Labs, and holder of the Lichtenberg Professorship for Neuroadaptive Human-Computer Interaction at the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg. He is the originator of the passive brain-computer interface concept.

Another founder, Dr. Laurens R. Krol, is currently the Research Director at Zander Labs. With a summa cum laude doctorate from the Technical University of Berlin, his fundamental research has been instrumental in defining the field of neuroadaptive technologies. At Zander Labs, he is currently exploring new approaches to utilizing human neural correlates. With myself as CEO – and third co-founder – Zander Labs also has an experienced innovator with more than 20 years of leadership experience on board. I know how to successfully scale technology companies, from startups to large corporations. We all share the vision of successfully bringing a technology to market that puts people – not machines – at its center.

Our vision for neuroadaptive technologies

Our vision is to use our technology to help computers understand us as human beings, learn from us, and perceive the world around us as we see it. We are working on a technology that makes it possible to tailor physical and other AI systems to humans, their perception of reality, and the human context. To this end, we are developing scalable platforms, such as our SAMANAI platform, which can then be integrated into the systems of a wide variety of industries. Our ultimate goal is the seamless interaction between human cognition and digital systems. To make this vision a reality, we rely on strategic partnerships and market-ready product launches for funding, in addition to EU grants.

Relevant industries

Relevant added value that justifies deployment can be found for our technology in virtually every industry. In defense and security, for example, pBCI can help monitor cognitive state and optimize adaptive support systems. In healthcare and wellness, pBCI can be integrated into applications for reducing cognitive workload and stress, or for rehabilitation. Its use in a digital assistant for mental support or in a robot for personal care is also conceivable. In the aerospace and automotive industries, pBCI could be used to monitor the attention of pilots and drivers. Or consider the education sector. Here, pBCI could be integrated into adaptive learning systems to deliver content more effectively and thus increase the success rate of a course unit.

Ensuring technically-sound, ethically-responsible tech

We achieve this, firstly, by developing our systems according to the principle of privacy by design. Our integrated data protection chip is designed so that a user's EEG data cannot be transferred to the cloud. Every user retains full control over their data at all times. We strictly adhere to the ethical frameworks and AI regulations of the European Union. Furthermore, we have developed internal ethical review processes that are activated for every new technical development. And finally, we prioritize transparency with our users. We clearly communicate how we handle our users' data and where the limits of our system lie.

The importance of NAFAS

Public sector support is and remains crucial for the further development of neuroadaptive AI in strategic applications. The funding has helped us greatly in developing our technology from a simple laboratory prototype to a robust, marketable solution. Furthermore, the NAFAS project has opened doors for us throughout Europe, enabling us to collaborate with leading European companies. With the project funding, Zander Labs has succeeded in establishing itself as another important player in a sovereign European deep tech scene.

Navigating challenges

Challenges include the low signal-to-noise ratio of EEG signals. Then, the high individual variability of brain responses. And finally, the frequent occurrence of artifacts—interfering signals caused by movement, environment, or physiology. We address these challenges through advanced signal processing, AI-driven classifiers, and robust experimental protocols. We also conduct daily iterative testing and validation cycles with various users.

SAMANAI and universal cognitive classifiers

The universal classifiers used on our SAMANAI platform allow us to instantly decode mental states across different users – without the need for calibration. This significantly reduces the data and thus the time and cost requirements of deploying cognitive models. The approach was developed to be scalable across different applications – while remaining ethical and secure. It combines neuroscientific insights with practical, market-oriented technology – with the goal of supporting the development of applications for daily use in real-life situations.

Wearable EEG patches: next steps

The current Zypher EEG patches are prototypes. They are lightweight, easy to apply, and deliver excellent results. We are currently finalizing our Zypher amplifier, which will be integrated into the patches—as well as the AI ​​chips that will enable privacy-compliant data processing. We are also working on further expanding miniaturization, optimizing the user experience, and scaling our manufacturing. We plan to launch the first commercial pilot projects in 2026.

Partnerships with universities and research institutions

To reach the forefront of research and development in neuroscience and AI—and to stay there—academic partnerships are essential. We need access to their talent, their infrastructure, and the opportunity to share their validation environments. Only together, through constant exchange between science and industry, will we succeed in building a European ecosystem for successful and responsible neurotechnologies.

The next five years

We're headed for the top – as a globally recognized leader in neuroadaptive technologies; with commercial products successfully deployed in a wide range of industries; as an established partner to leading companies and security organizations. We want to position Zander Labs in Europe as a driving force in brain-computer interface technologies, establishing Europe as the world's leading technology power in this field.

Advice for young entrepreneurs

CEO Jonathan Zwaan has plenty of advice: Invest a lot of time, especially at the beginning, in assembling your team. Selecting the right people is crucial in the early stages—even more important than securing your financing. Then communicate your business idea with a clear focus on your investors. The key to your success lies in successfully demonstrating the complexity of your deep-tech idea to your investors. Consider that strategy changes will be necessary over time. The transition phase from research to business, in particular, requires a shift in thinking. Target your efforts to find allies. Strategic partnerships and networks can significantly accelerate research, development, and the transition to market readiness. And view early setbacks as opportunities; use them to refine and sharpen your company's vision.

Advice for founders in deep tech

Strive for customer validation and product-market fit from day one—under no circumstances lose sight of the market needs relevant to you. Build an ecosystem of partners. No one can handle deep tech alone. And: secure the necessary funding for your research- and development-intensive phases as early as possible. If you follow this advice, you'll be on the right track.

This article was originally published as an interview with Zander Labs CEO, Jonathan Zwaan, in Germany's StartupValley magazine.