ETC Invests in Baltimore MedTech Startup JuneBrain

Wearable AI retinal imaging company joins ETC portfolio as it advances FDA clearance and expands access to early detection in community-based care settings

Baltimore, Md.—Emerging Technology Centers (ETC) Baltimore, an initiative of the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC), today announced a co-investment in JuneBrain and welcomed the company as its newest portfolio company. The partnership accelerates JuneBrain’s path toward FDA clearance and early commercial launch of its wearable, AI-powered retinal imaging platform while positioning the technology to expand access to advanced diagnostics across Baltimore communities.

ETC has invested $200,000 in JuneBrain’s series Seed+ funding round. In addition to capital, ETC and BDC will provide commercialization support, including technical guidance, strategic introductions, and investor connections as the company advances toward market entry.

Founded in 2017 and headquartered at The LaunchPort in Baltimore City, JuneBrain has developed the first wearable AI-powered eye scanning system designed to expand high-resolution retinal imaging beyond traditional eye clinics into neurology, primary care, community health centers, and mobile health settings. The company’s flagship product, the Neuro-i SS-OCT, enables high-resolution, technician-free imaging to detect and monitor both eye and brain disease.

JuneBrain’s growth in Baltimore presents an opportunity to expand access to advanced diagnostic care in communities that have historically faced barriers to specialty services. By expanding retinal imaging beyond traditional eye clinics and into more accessible care environments, the platform can help close gaps in early detection and ongoing monitoring of eye and neurodegenerative disease. In many Baltimore neighborhoods, delayed diagnosis and limited specialty access contribute to worse health outcomes and higher long-term costs. Expanding where and how imaging is delivered has the potential to change that trajectory.

“JuneBrain exemplifies the type of high-impact, Baltimore-rooted innovation that ETC was built to support,” said Maggie McDonough, Executive Director of ETC Baltimore and Chief Innovation Officer of BDC. “Its wearable, AI-powered OCT platform has the potential to change how retinal imaging is delivered while building a scalable health technology company. We’re proud to invest in JuneBrain and help move this technology into primary and neurological care settings so more patients can benefit from earlier detection and monitoring.”

Led by founder and CEO Samantha Scott, PhD, JuneBrain has built and tested working Neuro-i SS-OCTprototypes and enrolled nearly 100 patients across three company-sponsored clinical studies. The company has secured $3 million in grants, including Phase I and II NSF SBIR awards, raised $3.4 million in private investment, and developed a $6 million qualified sales pipeline of prospective customers. JuneBrain also holds multiple issued patents supporting its device and core algorithm technology.

“ETC Baltimore is an exciting partner for JuneBrain’s next chapter,” said Dr. Scott. “As we move toward FDA submission, this investment and portfolio partnership give us the capital, operational expertise, and community support to execute faster and scale with intention.”

Beyond the clinical upside, JuneBrain strengthens Baltimore’s inclusive innovation economy by anchoring high-growth medtech and AI talent in the city, deepening partnerships with local academic and clinical institutions, and creating pathways for community-based pilots that demonstrate how advanced technology can be deployed in real-world, underserved settings. As the company moves toward FDA clearance and commercialization within the ETC ecosystem, it positions Baltimore not just as a place where health innovation is invented, but as a place where it is deployed equitably to improve access, health outcomes, and trust in care.

To learn more about JuneBrain and partnership opportunities, visit junebrain.com. Startups, partners, and investors interested in working with ETC can learn more at etcbaltimore.com. 

About JuneBrain

JuneBrain is pioneering the first wearable, AI-powered eye scanning system to bring advanced retinal imaging beyond eye clinics into neurology, primary care, and other untapped markets. Our flagship product, the Neuro-i SS-OCT, enables high-resolution, technician-free imaging to detect and monitor both eye and brain diseases. With 4 issued patents and a $6M sales pipeline of qualified leads, JuneBrain is on track for FDA submission in 2026. By expanding access to OCT imaging and analytics, we empower clinicians to detect disease earlier, monitor progression more effectively, and unlock new revenue streams across healthcare settings. For more information, visit junebrain.com.

About ETC Baltimore 

The Emerging Technologies Center (ETC) Baltimore, an initiative of the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC), is dedicated to elevating Baltimore as a national leader in tech startups by fostering innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity within its entrepreneurial ecosystem. Since 1999, we have provided resources and funding to over 700 startups, establishing Baltimore as a key player in the tech industry. We collaborate with local and national partners to ensure Baltimore’s startups—especially those from historically underrepresented communities—have the knowledge, financial and social capital, talent, and community support they need to succeed. For more information, visit etcbaltimore.com.