At Manchester Digital, we like to interview our members to find out a bit more about what they do and their work in the Greater Manchester digital and technology sphere. This week, we're speaking with Dr. Zied Tayeb, founder and CEO at MyelinZ.
1. Introduce yourself…
I’m Dr Zied Tayeb, founder and CEO of MyelinZ. I’m a neuroscientist, computer scientist, and neurotechnology innovator with a passion for turning frontier neuroscience into practical tools that help people take charge of their brain and body health—on Earth and beyond.
2. Could you share the inspiration behind your company's name and mission?
MyelinZ is named after myelin—the brain’s insulation that helps signals flow, essential for memory, movement and more. When damaged by the immune system, as in multiple sclerosis (which my mother lives with), that signal breaks down. That’s where the journey began. The “Z” stands for Zenith—the highest point in the sky—reflecting our ambition. Our mission is simple: to make brain health as trackable and trainable as physical fitness.
3. What motivated you to join our community, and what are you hoping to gain or contribute here?
As a Manchester-based company, we joined to connect with bold minds building the future—and to contribute in return to both the region and the wider community.
4. Can you tell us about a recent project or achievement that your team at MyelinZ is particularly proud of?
We’ve just launched BodyMirror, the first digital brain gym that tracks eight vital brain health metrics using AI and gamified neuroscience. It’s the result of years of R&D and is now entering a multi-country clinical trial with leading hospitals.
5. Which industries or types of clients do you typically work with, and what kind of impact are you aiming to make?
We work across healthcare, space, defence, and wellness—partnering with clinicians, space agencies, and global innovators. Our goal is to move from reactive care to proactive brain health, at scale.
6. Are there any challenges in your field you're currently tackling that you’d love input or collaboration on?
One major challenge is developing meaningful, personalised brain metrics that work outside the clinic. We’re keen to connect with others working on longitudinal neurodata, digital phenotyping, or gamified diagnostics. Fundraising is always a mountain to climb, though we’re close to closing a landmark £6M seed round.
7. What emerging technologies or trends are you most excited about right now?
We’re excited by the fusion of generative AI with cognitive games, the use of headphones as next-gen brain sensors, and the shift towards human-AI symbiosis in healthcare. The frontier isn’t just intelligent—it’s becoming self-aware.
8. Finally, tell us one fun or surprising fact about your team or workplace culture!
We have one rule at MyelinZ: everyone must test the games. That means even our engineers sometimes end their sprint meetings on a balance board, shouting Shakespeare quotes at a voice-activated neurogame. Science, with a grin.
