Founder stories from the world of Data and AI The Growth Playbook: Data & AI Computers Powered by Human Neurons with Dr. Ewelina Kurtys - FinalSpark - ThinkData Podcast

Episode 1

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Published on:

5th Jan 2026

S4 | E1 | Computers Powered by Human Neurons with Dr. Ewelina Kurtys - FinalSpark

Today I’m joined by Dr Ewelina Kurtys, strategic advisor to FinalSpark, a company building computers powered by living human neurons.

In simple terms, FinalSpark is exploring a new form of biocomputing that replaces silicon with real brain cells. This conversation dives into what that actually means, why it matters, and what it could unlock for the future of computation, energy efficiency, and AI.

This is a genuinely mind-bending episode that sits at the intersection of neuroscience, computing, ethics, and deep tech innovation.

Key Topics Covered

  1. What FinalSpark is building and why biocomputing represents a radical shift from silicon-based systems
  2. What drew Ewelina to FinalSpark’s mission and long-term vision
  3. Early challenges in building a biocomputing platform and how close the company is to true product-market fit
  4. Feedback from early users and adopters working with neuron-based computing
  5. The biggest technical and operational hurdles to scaling living neuron infrastructure
  6. How FinalSpark differentiates itself in the emerging biocomputing space
  7. The company’s long-term vision over the next 5 to 10 years and how it plans to fund and execute that roadmap

Why This Episode Matters

Biocomputing is no longer science fiction. As traditional computing approaches physical and energy limits, FinalSpark is exploring an entirely new paradigm. This episode offers a rare, grounded look at what it really takes to turn breakthrough science into a commercial platform.

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About the Podcast

ThinkData Podcast
The Growth Playbook: Data & AI
The Growth Playbook brings you inside the minds of the leaders shaping Data and AI. Each episode, we sit down with some of the most interesting voices in the industry, from startup founders to seasoned execs, to hear their stories, lessons learned, and the real strategies behind growing great businesses.

About your host

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Alex Hutchings

I’m the Co-Founder of the Dataworks Group, a specialist talent partner in the world of Data and Artificial Intelligence.

I’ve spent the last 15+ years working at the heart of this space, helping some of the most exciting companies on the planet build world-class Data and AI teams.

Through our roundtables, live events, and right here on the ThinkData Podcast, my goal is simple: to bring you real insights from the fastest-growing talent market in the world.

Whether you’re building, hiring, or just curious about what’s next, you’ll hear straight from the founders and senior leaders shaping the future of work.