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The DFINITY Foundation develops the Internet Computer (IC), a public blockchain and cloud computing platform designed to host decentralized applications, services, and data entirely on-chain. This network extends the functionality of the public internet, enabling smart contracts to run at web speed with unbounded capacity. Its architecture allows for direct hosting of software on the network, removing reliance on traditional IT infrastructure like proprietary cloud services and corporate servers.
The DFINITY Foundation was established by Dominic Williams, who conceived the vision for the Internet Computer in 2013, inspired by the emergence of Bitcoin. Williams, an an entrepreneur with prior experience building massively multiplayer online games, recognized the potential for a decentralized, world-scale computing platform. His insight aimed to evolve blockchain technology beyond simple cryptocurrencies, envisioning a network capable of securely and efficiently running any internet service.
The Internet Computer primarily serves developers, entrepreneurs, and organizations seeking to build and deploy fully decentralized internet services and dApps that operate autonomously. DFINITY's long-term vision is to establish the Internet Computer as a public, open, and permissionless computing platform that replaces traditional internet infrastructure. This aims to foster a new generation of open internet services, ensuring their independence from centralized control and proprietary systems.
DFINITY has raised $118.0M across 3 funding rounds.
Key people at DFINITY.
DFINITY was founded in 2016 by Dominic Williams (Founder, President and Chief Scientist).
DFINITY has raised $118.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
DFINITY is valued at approximately $19.0M.
DFINITY was founded in 2016 by Dominic Williams (Founder, President and Chief Scientist).
DFINITY has raised $118.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
DFINITY is valued at approximately $19.0M.
DFINITY's investors include 305 Ventures, Amino Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, BoxOne Ventures, Craft Ventures, Kevin Ding, Felicis Ventures, First Round Capital, Infinite Niches, Oyster Ventures, Paradigm, Rebel Fund.
DFINITY Foundation is a Swiss-based not-for-profit organization that develops and contributes to the Internet Computer (ICP) blockchain, a general-purpose platform designed to run decentralized applications (dApps) at web speed, enabling full-stack Web3 services entirely on-chain.[1][4][5] It serves developers, Web3 startups, enterprises, and users in sectors like DeFi, gaming, social media, and secure enterprise solutions by providing scalable smart contracts via canister technology, chain-key cryptography, and the Network Nervous System (NNS) DAO for governance.[2][4][6] With over 200 scientists and engineers—the largest R&D team in blockchain—DFINITY powers a "world computer" that challenges traditional IT and cloud services, boasting 500% year-over-year network usage growth as of recent updates.[4][5][6]
Founded in 2016 (with some sources noting 2015) in Zurich, Switzerland, by Dominic Williams, a prominent technologist and chief scientist, DFINITY emerged from over 1,000 person-years of R&D in cryptography, distributed systems, and computing.[1][2][3][6] Williams and his team focused on creating a blockchain that could host tamper-proof, cost-efficient dApps at internet scale, leading to ICP's public launch after attracting top talent, venture funding (totaling $167M), and partnerships like those with the United Nations for digital identity.[3][6] Early traction included building the NNS for liquid democracy governance and innovations like chain-key cryptography, setting the stage for ecosystem expansion with hundreds of dApps by 2025.[4][6]
DFINITY rides the Web3 and blockchain scalability wave, addressing limitations of platforms like Ethereum and Solana by enabling "Internet Computer 2.0" with AI integrations like Caffeine AI and cross-chain bridges (e.g., Solana), amid rising demand for decentralized alternatives to Big Tech clouds.[3][7] Timing aligns with 2025's crypto market recovery, AI-blockchain convergence, and DeFi/gaming booms, bolstered by market forces like regulatory clarity for DAOs and enterprise blockchain adoption.[2][6] It influences the ecosystem by democratizing compute via NNS governance, partnering with entities like UNDP, and hosting hundreds of dApps, challenging incumbents and accelerating on-chain innovation.[6][7]
DFINITY's trajectory points to dominance in on-chain Web3 infrastructure, with upcoming AI advancements (e.g., Caffeine AI waitlist, Internet Computer 2.0), deeper integrations (Solana, Bitcoin), and ecosystem growth fueling 2025-2028 expansion amid $2.4B valuation.[2][3][6] Trends like AI-DeFi fusion and sovereign chains will amplify ICP's edge, potentially evolving its influence from R&D pioneer to core Web3 backbone, replacing traditional IT for mass-market dApps—realizing Dominic Williams' vision of a truly decentralized internet.[3][4][6]
Key people at DFINITY.
DFINITY has raised $118.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised Dfinity Valuation 2018-08-01 in August 2018 at a valuation of approximately $19.0M.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 17, 2024 | Momint | $50K Grant | Dfinity | — |
| Dec 29, 2021 | InfinitySwap | $1.5M Seed | Polychain Capital | Andreessen Horowitz, cycle_dao, Dfinity, Draft Ventures |
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2018 | Dfinity Valuation 2018-08-01 | ||
| Aug 1, 2018 | $97.0M Venture Round | 305 Ventures, Amino Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, BoxOne Ventures, Craft Ventures, Kevin Ding, Felicis Ventures, First Round Capital, Infinite Niches, Oyster Ventures, Paradigm, Rebel Fund, RRE Ventures, Shasta Ventures, The Hit Forge, The House Fund, Wing Venture Capital, Joshua Webster, Madhu Chamarty, Mattia Astori, Matt Mazzeo, Mike Abbott, Paul Graham, Sathvik Bilakanti, Shri Ganeshram, Sue Xu, Vinay Hiremath | |
| Dec 1, 2017 | $21.0M Venture Round | Andreessen Horowitz, Kevin Ding, Felicis Ventures, First Round Capital, RRE Ventures, Shasta Ventures, Mike Abbott, Shri Ganeshram |