DeepTech

Data privacy has become a critical issue in the digital age, and Zama is at the forefront with its innovative homomorphic encryption solutions. Co-founded by Pascal Paillier and Rand Hindi in 2020, the company aims to protect sensitive data through Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE), a groundbreaking technology that allows computations on encrypted data without exposure. As businesses and industries navigate increasing privacy concerns, Zama’s encryption solutions transform data usage in sectors like artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, healthcare, and finance. A Visionary Start in Data Privacy The inspiration behind Zama arose from the urgent need to balance data privacy with functionality in an increasingly data-driven world. “Zama was born out of a desire to solve the paradox of enabling secure data usage without compromising privacy,” shares Jeremy Bradley, Zama’s COO. This vision has evolved from a research-focused concept to a fully accessible and user-friendly encryption platform, making significant strides in deploying advanced cryptographic solutions that promise to revolutionize industries reliant on big data. The Core Technology: Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) At the heart of Zama’s innovation lies homomorphic encryption, a transformative advancement in the encryption landscape. Traditional encryption methods require data to be decrypted for processing, which exposes it to security risks. “FHE allows data to remain encrypted during computations,” explains Bradley. This capability is vital for sectors such as healthcare and finance, where secure data processing is paramount. Their technology ensures privacy while maintaining high performance, providing practical solutions to real-world challenges. “We’ve optimized our cryptographic algorithms to ensure our solutions are both secure and efficient,” Bradley notes. Zama’s Competitive Edge in Encryption What sets Zama apart from other encryption providers is its commitment to usability and performance. While many competitors focus on theoretical advancements, Zama is dedicated to making homomorphic encryption accessible to developers without requiring extensive cryptographic knowledge. “We emphasize open-source tools, making our technology widely available for innovation and collaboration,” Bradley states. This approach cultivates a community-driven ecosystem where privacy-preserving applications can flourish. Overcoming Challenges in Cryptographic Solutions Developing cryptographic solutions presents numerous challenges, and Zama has faced its share. “Balancing security with performance has been one of our biggest challenges,” admits Bradley. FHE is inherently computationally intensive, but the company has made significant strides in refining the technology to ensure it’s practical for everyday use. Collaborations with the cryptographic research community have been essential in overcoming these challenges and pushing the possible boundaries. Expanding Impact Across Industries and Use Cases Zama envisions a future where FHE is a foundational technology across various sectors. In finance, FHE enables secure data analysis without exposing sensitive information. In healthcare, it allows patient data to be processed securely while adhering to privacy regulations. Governments can also benefit from FHE, ensuring secure data sharing across departments. “We see homomorphic encryption as the bedrock of privacy-preserving innovation,” Bradley emphasizes, highlighting their long-term vision. Zama’s Flagship Product: Concrete In its mission to democratize homomorphic encryption, Zama recently launched Concrete. This is an open-source encryption library designed for efficiency and ease of use. “Concrete allows developers to integrate FHE into their applications without needing to be cryptography experts,” says Bradley. The product will significantly impact the industry by enabling more developers to create secure, privacy-preserving applications. Looking Ahead: Zama’s Strategic Goals Looking to the future, Zama’s strategic goals are clear: to expand the adoption of homomorphic encryption across industries and continue optimizing its solutions. “We’re focused on building a robust ecosystem of developers and partners around our open-source tools,” Bradley shares. By fostering innovation and staying at the forefront of encryption research, Zama is positioned to shape the future of data privacy. Zama’s journey exemplifies the power of visionary leadership and groundbreaking technology. With a focus on practicality, performance, and privacy, Zama is setting new standards for encryption in the digital age. “We’re committed to protecting privacy without compromising functionality,” Bradley emphasizes — a promise that solidifies Zama’s status as a leader in secure data processing.

Edgee, an innovative platform specializing in open-source edge computing, recently secured $2.9 million in funding. This investment will help Edgee tackle modern data processing challenges and provide developers with powerful new tools to build fast and scalable applications. Edge Computing Moves Data Processing Closer to the User Edgee is built around edge computing, a method that moves data processing to the “edge” of the network, closer to the end-user. This reduces latency and boosts performance, making applications run faster. As co-founder Sacha Morard explains, “We’re offering developers a full suite of edge services, from AI to cybersecurity, in an open ecosystem designed for speed and scalability.” By allowing developers to process data closer to the source, Edgee is surely revolutionizing the traditional approach to data handling. Tackling the Data Collection Dilemma: “The Big Lie” One of the main problems Edgee addresses is what the team calls “The Big Lie.” Traditional data collection methods lose 25% of users and 30% of data volume due to ad blockers, privacy regulations, and performance issues. Edgee’s solution brings data processing to the edge of the network, ensuring complete and reliable data collection. “Our platform guarantees that companies collect all the data they need, while maintaining performance and complying with user consent laws,” says Gilles Raymond, co-founder of Edgee. Open Source Edge Computing Solutions for Developers At its core, Edgee provides developers with an even more revolutionary way to collect data using open-source technology. Their platform offers customizable WebAssembly components, which developers can modify to suit their specific project needs. “We’re lowering the barrier to entry for developers,” says Sacha, “allowing them to build faster, more responsive applications without compromising on performance or compliance.” With a focus on flexibility, the open-source nature of Edgee empowers developers to innovate more freely. Serverless Architecture for Seamless Integration Edgee also features a serverless architecture that simplifies deployment, making it easier for companies to adopt and scale their platform. By offering a serverless option, Edgee ensures that businesses can quickly implement their solutions without extensive infrastructure needs. This approach allows companies to focus on innovation rather than on managing complex servers. Future of Open Source Edge Computing With the $2.9 million in funding, Edgee is undoubtedly well-positioned to expand its platform and continue innovating in edge computing. The company plans to grow its suite of services, including AI-driven analytics and cybersecurity tools, all powered by its open-source ecosystem. “This is just the beginning,” also says Sacha. “We’re committed to building a transparent, collaborative ecosystem that drives innovation in edge computing and beyond.” Edgee is not only providing developers with the tools they need to solve today’s data challenges but is also setting the stage for the future of edge computing. With its focus on performance, privacy, and scalability, Edgee is poised to become a key player in the tech landscape.

The name “Active Label” was thoughtfully selected to emphasize its proactive, real-time temperature monitoring technology for temperature-sensitive products. “We wanted the name to capture the dynamic and continuous functionality of our labels,” said CEO Carlo Ricci. “Active” highlights continuous temperature tracking, while “Label” refers to the smart, non-electronic tags seamlessly integrated into packaging. Together, they ensure product safety and freshness throughout the supply chain, addressing concerns in industries like food and pharmaceuticals. Tackling Global Cold Chain Challenges Cold chain management inefficiencies result in the loss of about one-third of food produced for consumption, contributing to both economic losses and environmental impact. “Our innovative solution addresses these challenges by providing real-time temperature and time monitoring,” Carlo stated. Active Label’s patented technology ensures that products are stored and transported under optimal conditions, reducing waste, improving safety, and ensuring regulatory compliance. This applies to both the food and pharmaceutical industries, where temperature-sensitive medications also face storage issues. Research-Driven Innovation Active Label’s founding team consists of researchers from the University of Cagliari, united by their expertise in materials science and optical technology. “Our academic collaboration naturally led to the development of our smart label,” Carlo shared. With a strong partnership with the university, the team combines research with real-world applications to push the boundaries of temperature monitoring technology. This collaboration ensures the retention of intellectual property while leveraging valuable academic resources. Targeting Critical Industries Active Label’s smart temperature monitoring system targets industries where temperature control is essential. “Our primary audience includes food producers, pharmaceutical companies, logistics providers, and large retailers,” Carlo noted. The system ensures real-time, accurate data for temperature-sensitive products like dairy, seafood, medications, and vaccines. Additionally, insurance companies benefit from reliable data, which helps assess risks during storage and transportation, ultimately reducing costs and enhancing product integrity. Differentiating in a Competitive Market Around the Cold Supply Chain Active Label stands out in a market dominated by electronic temperature monitoring systems. “Our competitors, often use expensive electronic devices that offer limited data,” Carlo explained. Active Label’s patented system provides a cost-effective, non-electronic solution that monitors time and temperature, offering detailed product insights. It’s eco-friendly, scalable, and easily integrated into existing packaging for mass production. Poised for Expansion Since its 2023 launch, Active Label has rapidly grown through key partnerships and investments. Backed by Eureka! Venture SGR Spa and collaborate with industry leaders like Rovagnati and Smeralda, the company is conducting real-world testing of its technology. “These partnerships are crucial for commercial validation,” noted Carlo. Aiming for industrial validation by 2024 and commercial agreements, Active Label joined SIAL Startup Village to boost visibility, attract investors, and network with industry leaders. Focused on innovation and sustainability, they aim to revolutionize cold chain management for temperature-sensitive products.