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Conor Russomanno
Founder & CEO @ OpenBCI
Conor Russomanno is an American entrepreneur, inventor, and educator, best known as the co-founder and CEO of OpenBCI, a company focused on open-source brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies. His work aims to democratize access to neuroscience tools and foster innovation in human-computer interaction.
Early Life and Education
Born in Livingston, New Jersey, and raised in Falls Church, Virginia, Russomanno attended Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. He later enrolled at Columbia University, where he studied civil engineering and engineering mechanics. After a year of playing NCAA college football, he switched to rugby and became the club president. He also pursued a Master of Fine Arts in Design and Technology at Parsons School of Design, where he developed a keen interest in brain-computer interfacing.12
Career Highlights
Russomanno's career has been marked by several notable achievements:
- OpenBCI: Founded in 2013, OpenBCI has developed various open-source hardware products for neuroscience research, including the Ultracortex EEG headset and the Galea headset, which integrates mixed reality with neural recording capabilities. The company has raised significant funding through Kickstarter campaigns and has distributed tools to over 100 countries.14
- Teaching: He has served as an adjunct professor at both Parsons School of Design and NYU Tisch School of the Arts, teaching courses related to creative coding, physical computing, and human-computer interaction.13
- Recognition: In 2018, Russomanno was recognized on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in the Science category for his contributions to technology and innovation.12
Recent Work
In April 2023, Russomanno delivered a TED Talk showcasing assistive technology that enables individuals with severe motor disabilities to interact with their environment using drones. This demonstration highlighted the potential of BCI technologies to improve quality of life for people with disabilities.1
Russomanno continues to be actively involved in the neurotechnology community, advocating for open-source solutions that empower researchers and innovators alike.4



