Invest in brain capital4 Strategic investment in the brain delivers high returns across health, productivity and long-term growth. Capital deployment to sustain and grow brain capital is limited in scope and instruments. Maturing the brain capital investment landscape may involve public, commercial and philanthropic capital to mobilize resources and direct them where they can have the greatest impact. This could require a mix of traditional (e.g. grants, public budgets) and innovative financing mechanisms (e.g. blended finance, public–private partnerships) to de-risk innovation, support capacity-building and resource the infrastructure needed to safeguard, foster and study brain capital at scale.104 Stakeholders can act to invest in brain capital by employing a range of financing mechanisms to drive fit-for-purpose investment. Employ a range of financing mechanisms to drive fit-for-purpose investment1 Driving meaningful investment in brain capital requires financial innovation that matches the unique characteristics of this domain. Across the value chain this area experiences underinvestment relative to costs and potential benefits to individuals, organizations and societies, with a portfolio overweighted towards use of specific non-return- seeking financial instruments. Investors often perceive long-time horizons, fragmented markets or uncertain returns as deterrents to investing in otherwise high-potential opportunities. Brain health interventions often carry long payback periods, as benefits such as improved cognitive functioning, reduced healthcare costs and enhanced productivity accumulate over decades. To bridge this gap, innovative financing could reduce risk for potential investors. This is not the first time a new economic frontier has faced these hurdles. The Coalition for Mental Health Investment (CMHI) is among one organization that is creating financing guidance that is applicable broadly across the field of brain health. Figure 5 outlines examples of investment barriers, drawing on a more detailed body of work done by CMHI.105 The Human Advantage: Stronger Brains in the Age of AI 18

The Human Advantage Stronger Brains in the Age of AI 2026