About ZeroTier
ZeroTier started with a simple idea: networking shouldn’t be hard. We cut through the chaos of legacy systems with secure, encrypted connections that just work, whether it’s one device or a fleet. Forget complexity. Just connect and go.
Philosophy
We know simplicity is harder than complexity. We believe networking should be both simple and intuitive.
Impact and Resilience
We’ve helped shift the industry toward decentralized networking, proved “impossible” demos could become reality, and endured where most startups fade.
Culture and Outlook
Rooted in curiosity and resilience, we take pride in solving hard problems together and know the most exciting work still lies ahead.
From a Spark to a Global Platform
What began as a side project to make networking simpler has grown into a platform used by millions worldwide. This is the story of ZeroTier’s journey.
The Spark
Frustrated by slow, manual networking inside a U.S. government project, our founder, Adam Ierymenko, began coding a better way. His goal: make it effortless to connect devices directly, supporting privacy and decentralization. Two years of spare-time coding led to an open-source release in 2013. On the day it went live, his newborn daughter helped tap the enter key to publish the first version, a fitting start to something built for the next generation.
Open-source release on GitHub
Early traction on Hacker News
First angel investment
2013
2014
From Project to Company
ZeroTier evolved quickly: ports to Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android; the first version of Central; and the first paying users. Early demos left people stunned (“that’s impossible”), and following the launch, Adam hired a talented group of engineers to form ZeroTier’s Founding Engineering Team. Enterprise customers began deploying ZeroTier in real-world scenarios from Bitcoin hardware to military backpack radios. The first formal investor, Anorak, joined in 2019, marking the transition from side project to real company.
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Introduction of packaged downloads
First enterprise customers in Bitcoin hardware and defense
Grow to a team of four with a small office in Orange County, California
Early VC conversations
First formal seed from Anorak
Launch of ZeroTier Central
Scaling Up
Pandemic disruption accelerated usage by up to 20% per month and pushed the company to fully remote operations. During this period, Adam also faced and overcame a battle with cancer. The team carried the company forward, a testament to their strength and resilience. A second seed round, followed by Series A, with Anorak Ventures, Bonfire Ventures, and Battery Ventures leading, provided fuel for growth. The leadership team expanded in 2024, with Andrew Gault stepping in as CEO, freeing Adam to focus on building next-generation products as CTO, and Robert Stevenson joining shortly after as CCO. Today, ZeroTier connects millions of devices across industries while laying the foundation for post-quantum secure networking.
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
COVID surge drives usage; company shifts fully remote
Series A funding lead by Anorak, Battery, and Bonfire
Enterprise growth
Global user rapidly expands
Millions of devices connected
ZeroTier Quantum brings post-quantum networking to regulated and sovereign environments
Second seed
ZeroTier Wins Cybersecurity Excellence Award for Best Software Industry Solution
Startup Pitch Competition winner at Money20/20
Meet the Team Driving the Future of Networking Forward
ZeroTier’s leadership team is driven by the belief that networking should be simple, secure, and reliable.
Meet the Team Driving the Future of Networking Forward
ZeroTier’s leadership team is driven by the belief that networking should be simple, secure, and reliable.
Want to Build a Better Internet?
We’re always looking for smart, no-nonsense people who are ready to make an impact. Your next move starts here.