{"id":"tarun-chitra","version":1,"language":"en","title":"Tarun Chitra","hidden":false,"content":"**Tarun Chitra** is the co-founder and CEO of Gauntlet, a leading simulation platform for crypto networks, and a co-founder of [Robot Ventures](https://iq.wiki/wiki/robot-ventures) alongside [Robert Leshner](https://iq.wiki/wiki/robert-leshner).[\\[5\\]](#cite-id-nwolufoyy0f) In 2023, Tarun Chitra founded Aera, a decentralized protocol designed to help [decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs)](https://iq.wiki/wiki/dao) manage their finances. He is also a quantitative researcher and engineer who has worked at the intersection of low-latency and high-performance computing and machine learning.[\\[5\\]](#cite-id-nwolufoyy0f)  \n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](iEHLeYrv6Ek)$$  \n  \n# Education  \n  \nTarun Chitra holds a B.A. and B.S. from Cornell University, where he studied mathematics and physics. During his time at Cornell, he participated in significant research and development projects, particularly in mathematical modeling and high-energy physics.[\\[1\\]](#cite-id-d6jye35w7e4)[\\[2\\]](#cite-id-70l5zkh3uv)  \n  \n# Career  \n  \nChitra's career began at D. E. Shaw Research (DESRES), where he worked as a scientific programmer. His interest in blockchain technology was piqued in 2011 when he observed [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) ASIC mining rigs significantly delaying DESRES's ASIC production. This experience led him to delve deeper into [cryptocurrencies](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) and [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain).[\\[3\\]](#cite-id-9j5r580psdf)[\\[4\\]](#cite-id-azsv39s06ke)  \n  \nAfter DESRES, Chitra worked at Vatic Labs, a high-frequency trading firm, using his skills in quantitative research and high-performance computing.[\\[3\\]](#cite-id-9j5r580psdf)[\\[4\\]](#cite-id-azsv39s06ke)  \n  \n## Research and Contributions  \n  \nTarun Chitra has authored over 24 peer-reviewed papers. His research covers a range of topics, including the economic security properties of [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) networks and the optimization of fee markets in decentralized systems.[\\[4\\]](#cite-id-azsv39s06ke)  \n  \n## Gauntlet  \n  \nIn 2018, Chitra co-founded Gauntlet, a simulation platform designed to help developers and stakeholders in crypto networks understand the impact of various decisions related to security, governance, and [consensus mechanisms](https://iq.wiki/wiki/consensus-mechanism). Gauntlet leverages simulation-based research to optimize these networks, aiming to make them more efficient and secure.[\\[3\\]](#cite-id-9j5r580psdf)[\\[4\\]](#cite-id-azsv39s06ke)  \n  \nIn March 2022, Gauntlet raised a round of funding that pushed its valuation to $1 billion. The $23.8 million Series B round was led by Ribbit Capital, and existing investors including [Polychain Capital](https://iq.wiki/wiki/polychain-capital) and [Paradigm](https://iq.wiki/wiki/paradigm) also participated.[\\[6\\]](#cite-id-s6boww7wlh)  \n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](dsPJBL1BDXY)$$  \n  \n## Robot Ventures  \n  \nIn addition to his work with Gauntlet, Chitra is also a co-founder at [Robot Ventures](https://iq.wiki/wiki/robot-ventures), where he invests in early-stage [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) and [DeFi](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) startups.[\\[5\\]](#cite-id-nwolufoyy0f) obot Ventures was first announced in April 2019 and later secured $4 million in funding, led by [Galaxy Digital](https://iq.wiki/wiki/galaxy-digital) with additional participation by [Coinbase](https://iq.wiki/wiki/coinbase) co-founder [Fred Ehrsam](https://iq.wiki/wiki/fred-ehrsam)'s [Paradigm](https://iq.wiki/wiki/paradigm).[\\[10\\]](#cite-id-jtlnz5g9fq)  \n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](NQTbxq_kMV8)$$  \n  \n## Aera  \n  \nIn 2023, Tarun Chitra founded Aera, a decentralized protocol designed to help [decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs)](https://iq.wiki/wiki/dao) manage their finances. The startup secured $8 million in funding led by Bain Capital Crypto, with participation from Jump Crypto.[\\[7\\]](#cite-id-kjvh8nuso4q)[\\[8\\]](#cite-id-lv5qx8qo7q) Chitra stated that Aera's goal is to enable DAOs to quickly respond to market changes while not sacrificing decentralization principles, providing them with crowdsourced investment portfolio management advice.[\\[9\\]](#cite-id-be4p7cklcok)  \n$$widget0 [YOUTUBE@VID](Qgrb3HXhLdA)$$  \n  \n","summary":"Tarun Chitra is a quantitative researcher, engineer, and cryptocurrency entrepreneur, known for founding Gauntlet, Robot Ventures, and Aera, a protocol for managing DAO finances.","categories":[{"id":"people","title":"People in crypto"}],"promoted":0,"tags":[{"id":"Founders"},{"id":"PeopleInDeFi"}],"metadata":[{"id":"references","value":"[{\"id\":\"d6jye35w7e4\",\"url\":\"https://tarunchitra.com/papers/\",\"description\":\"Tarun Chitra Papers\",\"timestamp\":1717032750658},{\"id\":\"70l5zkh3uv\",\"url\":\"https://londonreal.tv/tarun-chitra-de-risking-defi-through-automated-governance-why-applying-ai-will-change-blockchains-forever/\",\"description\":\"DE-RISKING DEFI THROUGH AUTOMATED GOVERNANCE: WHY APPLYING AI WILL CHANGE BLOCKCHAINS FOREVER\",\"timestamp\":1717032794597},{\"id\":\"9j5r580psdf\",\"url\":\"https://blockworks.co/speaker/tarun-chitra\",\"description\":\"Tarun Chitra on Blockworks\",\"timestamp\":1717032860917},{\"id\":\"azsv39s06ke\",\"url\":\"https://godigital.engineering.columbia.edu/events/tarun-chitra-gauntlet\",\"description\":\"Chitra's bio on Center for Digital Finance and Technologies website\",\"timestamp\":1717032888169},{\"id\":\"nwolufoyy0f\",\"url\":\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarunchitra/\",\"description\":\"Tarun on LinkedIn\",\"timestamp\":1717033561855},{\"id\":\"s6boww7wlh\",\"url\":\"https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-14/ex-d-e-shaw-research-quant-spins-his-crypto-firm-into-unicorn\",\"description\":\"A Wall Street Quant Turns His Crypto Firm Into a Unicorn\",\"timestamp\":1717034294342},{\"id\":\"kjvh8nuso4q\",\"url\":\"https://www.binance.com/en/square/post/2023-10-26-defi-risk-manager-gauntlet-founder-s-new-startup-aera-raises-8-million-1507414\",\"description\":\"DeFi Risk Manager Gauntlet Founder's New Startup Aera Raises $8 Million\",\"timestamp\":1717034553138},{\"id\":\"lv5qx8qo7q\",\"url\":\"https://fortune.com/crypto/2023/10/26/jump-crypto-and-bain-capital-crypto-bet-8-million-on-gauntlet-founders-new-startup-aera/\",\"description\":\"Jump Crypto and Bain Capital Crypto bet $8 million on Gauntlet founder’s new startup, Aera\",\"timestamp\":1717034602995},{\"id\":\"be4p7cklcok\",\"url\":\"https://www.cointime.ai/flash-news/dao-investment-management-agreement-aera-completes-us-30447\",\"description\":\"DAO investment management agreement Aera completes US$8 million in financing, led by Bain Capital Crypto\",\"timestamp\":1717034640886},{\"id\":\"jtlnz5g9fq\",\"url\":\"https://www.coindesk.com/business/2020/09/30/compound-gauntlet-founders-raise-4m-for-new-defi-scout-fund/\",\"description\":\"Compound, Gauntlet Founders Raise $4M for New DeFi Scout Fund\",\"timestamp\":1717035136831}]"},{"id":"twitter_profile","value":"https://x.com/tarunchitra"},{"id":"linkedin_profile","value":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarunchitra/"},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"QmczfseHmE9S6NT8iJCteQywLKMbwVcT5oBj4mfiwHVVdB"}],"user":{"id":"0x6753061a4cffbc0A617e57E956A298D88702a94B"},"author":{"id":"0x6753061a4cffbc0A617e57E956A298D88702a94B","profile":{"username":"vzbrv","avatar":"QmPJmiy99yT54Z5vdcZr56Y4wCcGqiZHVvzZkdpePFAXmA"}},"media":[{"name":"iEHLeYrv6Ek","size":0,"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEHLeYrv6Ek","source":"YOUTUBE"},{"name":"dsPJBL1BDXY","size":0,"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsPJBL1BDXY","source":"YOUTUBE"},{"name":"Qgrb3HXhLdA","size":0,"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgrb3HXhLdA","source":"YOUTUBE"},{"name":"NQTbxq_kMV8","size":0,"id":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQTbxq_kMV8","source":"YOUTUBE"}],"views":1,"events":[],"linkedWikis":{"founders":[],"blockchains":[]},"ipfs":"QmczfseHmE9S6NT8iJCteQywLKMbwVcT5oBj4mfiwHVVdB","transactionHash":"0x260898de5767bf32c34d853934a1c085cfe34b42e8506d91f3b1acc49024012d","created":"2024-05-30T01:38:43.482Z","updated":"2024-05-30T01:56:40.952Z","images":[{"id":"QmbLv6FHjHAvo973TwNE2cnhV6injJzhuYWz9pVgw8538E","type":"image/jpeg, image/png"}]}