Neuralink: Elon Musk declared it “small disadvantaged company”… 11 times since 2017

It is a line, a simple box checked in an administrative form, which today raises a funny question. On April 24, Neuralink self-certified Small Disad Even Business (SDB), a status intended for small businesses led by people from social minorities or in economic difficulty. In the form, the company claims to meet these criteria … despite its valuation of $ 9 billion, and the overwhelming presence of Elon Musk in its capital.

Neuralink declared himself “disadvantaged company”: box error or false form?

Officially, Neuralink says that it would be a “Administrative error”a box checked inadverters in the Sam.gov base. Except that this declaration is not isolated: according to data compiled by Muskwatchthe neurotechnology start-up has renewed this status 11 times since 2017, with forms signed each time by Jared Birchall, Musk right right arm.

The problem is that this SDB status is reserved for companies detained mainly by people “socially and economically disadvantaged”. However, according to federal regulations, an individual whose heritage exceeds $ 850,000 (excluding principal residence) cannot be considered economically disadvantaged. Elon Musk, whose personal fortune borders on $ 400 billion, is obviously very far.

You can consult by yourself one of the official PDF documents filled with Neuralink-and note, black on white, the declaration of “small disadvantaged company” here.

The detail which increases the tension of a notch: this self-certification could constitute a federal offense, within the meaning of title 18 US Code § 1001, which prohibits any false declaration on official documents. Certainly, Neuralink has not yet obtained any public contract via this bias. But several forms deposited during the pandemic suggest that the company was indeed looking to be eligible for certain aids.

On the side of the start-up, we plead the administrative blunder. A spokesperson evokes a “Erging error” And insists that no contract has been won or even requested thanks to this status. The administration specifies that these self-declarations are not verified upstream. And to top it all, Elon Musk is himself a notorious detractor of the Dei programs (diversity, equity, inclusion), which he describes as “Reverse racism”, while apparently taking advantage of a status resulting from this same logic.

So, should we laugh or worry about it? The irony is tenacious, but as long as the declaration was not used to capture markets, the case should remain at the anecdote stadium. The fact remains that such a hiccup, in a company supposed to connect the brain to the machine, does not lack spice.

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