New Orleans BioFund & Gulf South Angels Announce Joint Investment in AI-Driven Medical Technology Company JuneBrain

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans BioFund and the region’s leading angel investor network, Gulf South Angels (GSA), announced a joint investment into medical technology company JuneBrain.

JuneBrain is developing portable, AI-driven Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) headsets designed to transform remote monitoring of eye and neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Founded by Dr. Samantha Scott, the company is working to make advanced retinal imaging accessible beyond traditional clinical settings, enabling earlier detection, more consistent monitoring and improved patient outcomes.

JuneBrain was the most recent first-place winner of New Orleans BioInnovation Center’s (NOBIC) annual BioChallenge, a global pitch competition for early-stage life science startups. The 2025 competition focused on neuroscience, with winners sharing a total prize pool of $100,000.

"JuneBrain represents exactly the kind of company BioChallenge was built to champion, a team using cutting-edge AI to solve a real clinical gap in how we detect and monitor neurological disease. We believe this technology can change patient outcomes at scale. We will improve patient outcomes and build a strong life sciences economy in Louisiana one bold investment at a time," said Kris Khalil, Managing Director of BioFund.

“Our members were impressed by JuneBrain’s combination of breakthrough technology and strong market potential,” said Mike Eckert, Board Chairman of Gulf South Angels. “Investments like this reflect our commitment to supporting high-potential companies and partnering with organizations like NOBIC to bring innovative ventures into the Gulf South’s expanding entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Founded in Baltimore, JuneBrain’s partnerships with NOBIC and GSA mark the beginning of a broader expansion strategy in Louisiana. In addition to local investment support, the company is actively pursuing collaborations with Louisiana universities and healthcare systems as it works to establish a deeper integration into the state’s growing life sciences ecosystem.

“From our experience at BioChallenge to the ongoing support from GSA and NOBIC, the New Orleans startup community has welcomed us with open arms,” said Dr. Samantha Scott, CEO and Founder of JuneBrain. “This funding allows us to accelerate development, expand access to our technology, and continue building meaningful roots in Louisiana as we grow.”

The investment reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the region as a competitive hub for life sciences and innovation. To learn more about JuneBrain, visit junebrain.com.

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About the New Orleans BioFund

The New Orleans BioFund, part of the New Orleans BioInnovation Center, is an early-stage investment fund focused on supporting bioscience and health innovation companies with strong potential for economic and community impact. The BioFund provides capital and strategic support to companies advancing healthcare solutions while driving job creation and commercialization opportunities in Louisiana.

About Gulf South Angels

Gulf South Angels (GSA) is a nonprofit organization founded in Southeast Louisiana that has grown into a premier network of 165 accredited investors across 18 states. Since its founding in 2014, GSA has collaborated to evaluate, fund, and support early-stage companies across a wide range of industries, investing more than $32 million in 70-plus companies. The group connects innovative entrepreneurs with capital, mentorship, and strategic connections, and is recognized among the top 10% of angel groups in North America by the Angel Capital Association. Learn more at gulfsouthangels.org.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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