Rami Shacour - Humboldt University Berlin

Rami Shacour moved to Berlin from Haifa in 2017 with his family and co-founders, drawn by the EXIST scholarship and the promise of one of Europe's most dynamic research ecosystems. Nearly a decade on, his company Innosphere is on the verge of a breakthrough that could change how ADHD is treated in children: with targeted electrical stimulation of the brain instead of medication.

Innosphere's work sits at the intersection of neuroscience, engineering, and medicine. The company's research focuses on translating validated scientific findings into a safe, non-invasive treatment for children with ADHD. The goal is to improve attention and cognitive function without the side effects commonly associated with pharmacological therapies. “I was especially drawn to the need for effective treatment alternatives that do not rely solely on medication,” says Shacour. “The idea that neuroscience and technology can work together to provide a non-invasive, safe, and evidence-based treatment approach is both scientifically exciting and personally motivating to me.”

The technology at the heart of Innosphere's approach is non-invasive electrical brain stimulation – a method of modulating neural activity through precisely targeted electrical signals. What draws Shacour to it is not only the scientific complexity, but the human stakes. “ADHD affects not only children, but also their families, confidence, academic performance, and social well-being,” he explains. “Helping children improve their focus, confidence, and quality of life, while also reducing stress and challenges for parents, is a highly meaningful goal.”

“Innosphere is not only exploring how non-invasive electrical brain stimulation can influence brain activity and attention regulation, but also translating these findings into a real treatment solution that can be accessible and beneficial in real-world settings,” says Shacour. For him, this bridge between cutting-edge science and practical application makes the work truly special, turning research into clinically reality.

The company is now preparing the next major stage of its clinical and regulatory journey. Following expected FDA clearance in the United States, its focus will turn to the European market. Central to this is a planned clinical trial in collaboration with Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin to generate the data required for CE regulatory clearance across Germany and the European Union.

This partnership in the Brain City Berlin is possible because of the city’s concentration of world-class institutions. “Berlin offers a unique research environment by bringing together leading international experts and one of the world's most renowned hospitals – Charité – in a single location”, Shacour says, underlining the enabling environment. Alongside Charité, Innosphere collaborates closely with Humboldt University, combining expertise across neuroscience, clinical research, and medical technology development in a way that is, as Shacour puts it, “highly interdisciplinary, bringing together researchers, clinicians, engineers, and entrepreneurs.”

His path to the Brain City Berlin began in Haifa, where Shacour and his co-founders were already developing the concept behind Innosphere. The EXIST scholarship brought them to Humboldt University and into Berlin's innovation ecosystem, which has shaped the company ever since. From the outset, they were supported by Berlin Partner, who helped navigate the practical and bureaucratic aspects of establishing and growing a company in Germany. 

Berlin's appeal, Shacour says, goes well beyond its institutions. “Berlin combines a high quality of life with a strong environment for research and business, enabling growth without compromising balance.” For someone raising a family whilst building an international medtech company, that balance matters. “It allows me to continue developing impactful international projects like Innosphere's initiative while maintaining a healthy work-life balance, staying close to family, and raising my children in an open, diverse, and supportive environment.”

For scientists considering Berlin, Shacour's advice is straightforward: be proactive, and think beyond the laboratory. “Opportunities often come through collaboration and networking across different fields and cultures. Don't be afraid to reach out to universities, hospitals, incubators, and organisations like Berlin Partner. People here are generally very open to supporting innovative ideas and international talent.”

He is equally clear about the longer view. “The real challenge is not only generating scientific results, but transforming them into solutions that can truly improve people's lives.” This challenge defines Innosphere's own trajectory that Berlin, with its rare combination of scientific depth, clinical infrastructure, and entrepreneurial openness, is particularly well suited to support.

For the future of Brain City Berlin, Shacour hopes to see the city continue strengthening the connections between research institutions, hospitals, startups, and regulatory frameworks, "so that groundbreaking medical technologies can move more efficiently from the laboratory into patient care.” If Innosphere's own journey is anything to go by, Berlin is already well on its way.