Together with a coalition of leading brain economy and brain health organisations, NeuroCentury co-hosted the 3rd Brain Economy Summit in New York on 24 September 2025. This was a unique opportunity to explore all facets of the Brain Economy which is emerging as a new paradigm to help governments and businesses make the most of their societies’ collective brainpower. 

The primary focus of the Summit was the investment agenda, given the significant funding needs in the brain field and the growing number of identified investable assets. The new approach tested throughout the day is grounded in the concept of brain-lens investing, starting from the core areas of brain health and brain skills, and extending to embed a brain-positive premium in broader, non-domain specific investments.

The Summit explored powerful examples of place-based innovation, with Houston emerging as an inspiring Brain Economy Lighthouse and advanced plans underway in California. Driving systems-change was recognized as essential to achieving a large-scale brain-positive transition, with much potential for innovations at the intersection of the brain economy and nature economy. Given demographic trends, capturing the societal impact of early diagnosis of brain disorders was seen as critical. Likewise, while the lifecycle approach to brain health is now widely accepted, the Summit examined the key milestones in that journey – and identified where significant gaps remain.

The brain economy is one in which everyone can make a difference. A clear example is nutritional self-awareness - how much our conscious dietary choices influence brain outcomes, and how technology is increasingly enabling more informed personal decisions. One of the areas where procrastination is no longer acceptable is women’s brain health, which still lags behind men’s in terms of research, recognition, and investment.

The Summit examined what brain-readiness of the workplace means and what value the concept of social production brings, accounting for activities which are not monetized but extremely relevant for social cohesion. It discussed the brain economy dimension of crisis preparedness and explored how the paradigm can help gambling community advance responsible play. Finally, it looked to how G7 France can build on the work of G7 Canada in making the brain economy a global priority.

The event was brought together by a coalition of organisations, including Rice University, Euro-Mediterranean Economists’ Association, Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative, McKinsey Health Institute, Building Brains Coalition, University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre and Better Gambling Forum

We were grateful for the support of Eli Lilly, Lundbeck, Roche, Crisis Text Line, Play’n Go and our amazing hosts at Steelcase.