Alessandro Chiesa (StarkWare)
Overview
Alessandro Chiesa is a prominent computer scientist known for his contributions to cryptographic technology and zero-knowledge proofs. A co-founder of StarkWare Industries, Chiesa is heavily involved in developing blockchain scalability solutions. His academic work spans institutions like MIT, UC Berkeley, and currently, EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), where he is a faculty member in computer science. Chiesa's work in cryptography, particularly with zkSNARKs (zero-knowledge succinct non-interactive arguments of knowledge), has significantly impacted blockchain privacy and scaling.
Recent Developments
- 2025: StarkWare, co-founded by Alessandro Chiesa, launched a $4 million fund to invest in African blockchain startups, aiming to leverage blockchain technology for innovation across the continent. (Source)
- 2024: StarkWare continues to advance zkSNARKs, a technology integral to increasing blockchain scalability without sacrificing privacy. In December 2024, Chiesa presented at the StarkWare Scholar Summit, detailing new protocols for efficient Reed–Solomon proximity testing. (Source)
- 2023-2024: StarkWare expanded its influence in blockchain technology, announcing its $75 million series B funding round in 2021, and a $100 million funding round in March 2022, demonstrating significant growth and investor confidence in their scaling technologies. (Source)
- 2023: Alessandro Chiesa became prominently involved in establishing educational and research initiatives at EPFL, while maintaining his role at StarkWare to innovate in the fields of cryptography and blockchain technology. (Source)
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alessandro Chiesa |
| Born | 1987, Varese, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Occupation | Computer Scientist, Professor, Entrepreneur |
| Known For | Co-founder of StarkWare, zkSNARKs, Zcash |
| Education | MIT (S.B. and Ph.D. Computer Science) |
Early Life and Education
Born in Varese, Italy, in 1987, Alessandro Chiesa showed an early aptitude for mathematics and computer science. He attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he completed his bachelor's and master's degrees, followed by a Ph.D. in Computer Science under the advisement of Silvio Micali, an expert in cryptography. His time at MIT was crucial in forming his research trajectory towards cryptography and zero-knowledge proofs.
Career and Notable Achievements
After completing his education at MIT, Chiesa joined UC Berkeley as a faculty member, contributing to the development and theoretical aspects of cryptographic protocols and zero-knowledge proofs. His most notable professional achievements include:
- Zcash: Co-founder and chief scientist of the privacy-focused cryptocurrency Zcash, utilizing zkSNARKs for anonymous transactions. (Source)
- StarkWare: Co-founded StarkWare in 2018 with Eli Ben-Sasson and others, focusing on developing validity-rollup (ZK-Rollup) technology to enhance blockchain scalability. (Source)
- zkSNARK Contributions: Authored several zkSNARK libraries, primarily through collaborations and personal research, that serve as fundamental components in various cryptographic applications. (Source)
- Awards: Received multiple recognitions including Google Faculty Research Awards and being named MIT Technology Review’s Innovators Under 35 in 2018. (Source)
Current Work and Impact
Chiesa actively contributes to academic and practical developments in blockchain technology through his role at EPFL and StarkWare. He is at the forefront of research in cryptographic protocols that aim to increase efficiency and security in blockchain applications. His work influences the technological landscape by enabling more scalable and private systems, directly impacting how blockchain technology is integrated into financial systems.
StarkWare Token
StarkWare has been involved in discussions around launching a potential native token to facilitate operations and enhance their services. While the specifics remain in development, such a token would align with their advancements in ZK-Rollup technologies and decentralization strategies on platforms like Ethereum. (Source, Source)
Alessandro Chiesa Google Scholar
Alessandro Chiesa has a significant presence in scholarly research, with his Google Scholar profile listing numerous influential papers and contributions in cryptography and zero-knowledge proofs. His research is widely cited, reflecting his work's impact on both academic and applied cryptographic technologies. (Google Scholar Profile)
Eli Ben-Sasson
Eli Ben-Sasson, a co-founder of StarkWare alongside Alessandro Chiesa, has worked closely with him in pioneering zero-knowledge proof systems. Together, they have advanced the field of secure and scalable blockchain solutions. Ben-Sasson, also from a strong academic background, complements Chiesa's efforts in stewarding StarkWare’s vision for decentralized, privacy-preserving technologies. (Source)
Conclusion
Alessandro Chiesa continues to lead transformative projects in blockchain technology. His foundational work in collective privacy solutions and cryptographic scalability has left a lasting mark on the industry. By persistently driving innovation through academic research and entrepreneurial ventures, Chiesa holds a pivotal role in shaping the future of secure, scalable blockchains.