# Tarun Chitra

> Tarun Chitra is a quantitative researcher, engineer, and cryptocurrency entrepreneur, known for founding Gauntlet, Robot Ventures, and Aera, a protocol for mana...

- Canonical URL: https://dev.iq.wiki/wiki/tarun-chitra
- Categories: People in crypto
- Tags: Founder
- Created: 2024-05-30T01:38:43.482Z
- Last updated: 2024-05-30T02:14:53.682Z
- Source: IQ.wiki — the world's largest blockchain and crypto encyclopedia (https://iq.wiki)

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**Tarun Chitra** is the co-founder and CEO of Gauntlet, a leading simulation platform for crypto networks, and a co-founder of [Robot Ventures](https://iq.wiki/wiki/robot-ventures) alongside [Robert Leshner](https://iq.wiki/wiki/robert-leshner).[\[5\]](#cite-id-nwolufoyy0f) In 2023, Tarun Chitra founded Aera, a decentralized protocol designed to help [decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs)](https://iq.wiki/wiki/dao) manage their finances. He is also a quantitative researcher and engineer who has worked at the intersection of low-latency and high-performance computing and machine learning.[\[5\]](#cite-id-nwolufoyy0f)  
  
  
# Education  
  
Tarun Chitra holds a B.A. and B.S. from Cornell University, where he studied mathematics and physics. During his time at Cornell, he participated in significant research and development projects, particularly in mathematical modeling and high-energy physics.[\[1\]](#cite-id-d6jye35w7e4)[\[2\]](#cite-id-70l5zkh3uv)  
  
# Career  
  
Chitra's career began at D. E. Shaw Research (DESRES), where he worked as a scientific programmer. His interest in blockchain technology was piqued in 2011 when he observed [Bitcoin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/bitcoin) ASIC mining rigs significantly delaying DESRES's ASIC production. This experience led him to delve deeper into [cryptocurrencies](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) and [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain).[\[3\]](#cite-id-9j5r580psdf)[\[4\]](#cite-id-azsv39s06ke)  
  
After DESRES, Chitra worked at Vatic Labs, a high-frequency trading firm, using his skills in quantitative research and high-performance computing.[\[3\]](#cite-id-9j5r580psdf)[\[4\]](#cite-id-azsv39s06ke)  
  
## Research and Contributions  
  
Tarun Chitra has authored over 24 peer-reviewed papers. His research covers a range of topics, including the economic security properties of [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) networks and the optimization of fee markets in decentralized systems.[\[4\]](#cite-id-azsv39s06ke)  
  
## Gauntlet  
  
In 2018, Chitra co-founded Gauntlet, a simulation platform designed to help developers and stakeholders in crypto networks understand the impact of various decisions related to security, governance, and [consensus mechanisms](https://iq.wiki/wiki/consensus-mechanism). Gauntlet leverages simulation-based research to optimize these networks, aiming to make them more efficient and secure.[\[3\]](#cite-id-9j5r580psdf)[\[4\]](#cite-id-azsv39s06ke)  
  
In March 2022, Gauntlet raised a round of funding that pushed its valuation to $1 billion. The $23.8 million Series B round was led by Ribbit Capital, and existing investors including [Polychain Capital](https://iq.wiki/wiki/polychain-capital) and [Paradigm](https://iq.wiki/wiki/paradigm) also participated.[\[6\]](#cite-id-s6boww7wlh)  
  
  
## Robot Ventures  
  
In addition to his work with Gauntlet, Chitra is also a co-founder at [Robot Ventures](https://iq.wiki/wiki/robot-ventures), where he invests in early-stage [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) and [DeFi](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) startups.[\[5\]](#cite-id-nwolufoyy0f) obot Ventures was first announced in April 2019 and later secured $4 million in funding, led by [Galaxy Digital](https://iq.wiki/wiki/galaxy-digital) with additional participation by [Coinbase](https://iq.wiki/wiki/coinbase) co-founder [Fred Ehrsam](https://iq.wiki/wiki/fred-ehrsam)'s [Paradigm](https://iq.wiki/wiki/paradigm).[\[10\]](#cite-id-jtlnz5g9fq)  
  
  
## Aera  
  
In 2023, Tarun Chitra founded Aera, a decentralized protocol designed to help [decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs)](https://iq.wiki/wiki/dao) manage their finances. The startup secured $8 million in funding led by Bain Capital Crypto, with participation from Jump Crypto.[\[7\]](#cite-id-kjvh8nuso4q)[\[8\]](#cite-id-lv5qx8qo7q) Chitra stated that Aera's goal is to enable DAOs to quickly respond to market changes while not sacrificing decentralization principles, providing them with crowdsourced investment portfolio management advice.[\[9\]](#cite-id-be4p7cklcok)