The standout privacy infrastructure worth watching: A deep dive into Zama
Project Overview
As a deep dive into the world of Web3 privacy tech, let's kick things off with Zama, an open-source powerhouse that's revolutionizing fully homomorphic encryption (FHE). Founded back in 2020 and calling Paris, France, home base, this company is all about making data processing secure without ever decrypting it—think of it as the ultimate shield for your info in an era where breaches are headline news.
They're laser-focused on tackling privacy headaches in spaces like blockchain, AI, and cloud computing, rolling out cutting-edge tools that keep sensitive data locked down tight. Imagine building apps where user info stays encrypted end-to-end; that's the kind of innovation Zama is pushing forward.
At its heart, Zama's vision is to weave privacy right into the fabric of everyday computing, turning it from a nice-to-have into a must-have. By championing FHE, they're paving the way for this tech to go mainstream worldwide, empowering developers and users alike to handle data with confidence.
The Team Behind the Magic
Zama's crew is a global powerhouse, boasting around 170 folks (give or take, between 150 and 200) hailing from 22 countries. These pros span cryptography, machine learning, and software engineering, bringing a wealth of expertise to the table that keeps the company humming.
Leading the charge is Rand Hindi, co-founder and CEO, a serial entrepreneur with a PhD from University College London (UCL). He previously built and sold AI startup Snips to Sonos, and his savvy has been key in steering Zama toward real-world adoption and growth.
Then there's Pascal Paillier, co-founder and CTO, a cryptography legend best known for creating the Paillier encryption scheme—one of the foundational pillars in the FHE space.
Handling operations and scaling globally is COO Jeremy Bradley-Silverio Donato, whose tech management chops ensure everything runs like a well-oiled machine.
What sets this team apart is their open-source ethos, fostering collaborations that have drawn in developers from every corner of the globe and built a vibrant community ecosystem.
Funding and Backing
Zama has pulled in over $150 million in funding to date, rocketing its valuation past the $1 billion mark and earning it the crown as the first unicorn in the FHE arena—a testament to the buzz around privacy tech in Web3.
Investors are betting big on Zama's role in fortifying data privacy infrastructure, especially as regulations like GDPR and rising cyber threats make secure computing non-negotiable.
Standout rounds include the Series A in March 2024, where they raised $73 million led by Multicoin Capital and Protocol Labs. This cash infusion supercharged R&D and laid the groundwork for ecosystem expansion.
Fast-forward to June 2025, and Zama closed a $57 million Series B, spearheaded by Pantera Capital and Blockchange Ventures, with backers like VSquared and Stake Capital joining the fray. Post-round, total funding topped $150 million, solidifying that unicorn status in FHE.
Beyond the dollars, Zama enjoys endorsements from blockchain heavyweights such as Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko, Polkadot's Gavin Wood, and key Ethereum Foundation contributors. These alliances aren't just financial—they offer strategic insights that plug Zama deeper into the broader Web3 landscape.
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