Huddle01

High-Level Overview

Huddle01 is a decentralized real-time communication (RTC) infrastructure provider building developer SDKs, video conferencing apps, and a broader dRTC network for Web3 applications.[1][2][5] It serves Web3 builders, NFT communities, DAOs, and enterprises by solving centralized RTC limitations like high costs, privacy issues, and single points of failure through permissionless, blockchain-integrated tools that cut expenses by up to 70% and deliver sub-100ms latency.[1][2][5] With over 174K users, 1.3M meetings, and 840M minutes spent, Huddle01 powers 100+ projects via composable SDKs for seamless audio/video integration, alongside apps like Huddle Meet and Huddle Cloud.[1][5]

Origin Story

Huddle01 emerged from the ETHGlobal Hackathon in early 2020 as "Cadbury01," founded by Ayush Ranjan and Susmit Lavania, who identified the gap for a secure, open RTC network connecting anyone globally.[1][2] Starting with a demand-first video conferencing, archiving, and livestreaming platform, it leveraged crypto networks like Livepeer for transcoding and IPFS for storage to offer cheaper rates and Web3 features such as token gating and NFT avatars.[1] Key milestones include a $2.8M seed round in April 2023 from investors like Protocol Labs, LongHash Ventures, Balaji Srinivasan, and Stani Kulechov, followed by node operator rewards in 2025 and Guardian Pass Nodes introduction.[3] Based in India, the young team has evolved from hackathon project to RTC infrastructure with a dRTC protocol testnet originally planned for Q1 2024.[2][3]

Core Differentiators

• Decentralized Infrastructure: Uses peer-to-peer nodes, hyperlocalized mesh routing for ~100ms latency, and integrations with Livepeer/IPFS for 70% cost savings over centralized providers like Zoom, eliminating single points of failure.[1][5]
• Developer-Friendly SDKs: Composable tools for easy RTC integration into Web3 apps, powering 100+ projects without handling complex media complexities; supports media streaming, decentralized CDN, and glitch-free global delivery.[1][5]
• Web3-Native Features: Wallet logins, token-gated meetings, NFT avatars, ENS usernames, and decentralized storage/recording for DAOs, NFT communities, and crypto enterprises like Messari.[1][2][3]
• Performance and Scale: Enterprise-grade apps (Huddle Meet, Huddle Cloud) with proven traction—174K+ users, 1.3M+ meetings—plus ongoing node ecosystem growth via rewards and waitlists.[3][5]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Huddle01 rides the DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks) and Web3 communication trends, decentralizing RTC dominated by legacy giants through crypto-coordinated global node networks for scalable, permissionless audio/video.[1][5] Timing aligns with rising demand for privacy-focused, cost-efficient tools amid Web3 adoption, exacerbated by centralized outages and regulatory pressures on big tech.[2] Market forces like blockchain's efficiency in bootstrapping hardware networks favor it, enabling cheaper infrastructure that influences the ecosystem by empowering DAOs, builders, and apps with trustless RTC, potentially disrupting $100B+ video comms market.[1]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Huddle01's momentum—evidenced by 2025 node expansions and massive usage—positions it to launch a full dRTC protocol, scaling global RTC via independent media nodes for any real-time app.[1][3] Trends like DePIN growth, AI-enhanced streaming, and Web3 mainstreaming will amplify its edge, evolving influence from SDK provider to foundational dRTC layer.[1][5] As decentralized networks mature, Huddle01 could redefine mass communication, fulfilling its hackathon-born vision of people-governed RTC at unmatched scale and affordability.[2]