RISC Zero is a pioneering technology company developing general-purpose zero-knowledge virtual machines (zkVMs) that allow developers to prove the correct execution of code without revealing sensitive data. By using the RISC-V instruction set and leveraging STARK-based cryptographic proofs, RISC Zero empowers developers to write verifiable programs in familiar languages like Rust and C++, rather than having to design custom circuits. This makes advanced privacy-preserving and trustless computing accessible to a much wider audience.

The company’s flagship product, the R0VM, offers dramatically improved performance and cost-efficiency in generating zero-knowledge proofs. With its 2.0 release, RISC Zero introduced features like real-time block proof generation and a Universal Verifier that enables seamless proof verification across multiple blockchain ecosystems. Their infrastructure allows developers to integrate zero-knowledge capabilities into decentralized applications without relying on centralized trust or complex cryptography expertise.

Founded in 2021 and based in Seattle, RISC Zero has quickly become a leader in the zero-knowledge space, securing a $40 million Series A funding round from top-tier investors such as Blockchain Capital and Bain Capital Crypto. The company’s mission is to democratize trust by making verifiable computing universal, secure, and accessible, laying the groundwork for a new generation of decentralized systems that prioritize privacy, correctness, and transparency.