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Certora

Category: AI in Cybersecurity

Certora provides formal verification tools and smart contract audits to ensure security in blockchain systems, with a recent focus on AI-driven coding platforms for safe smart contract development. Certora was founded in 2018. The company is led by Seth Hallem (Current CEO), Mooly Sagiv (Founding CEO, now leading strategic research). Based in Tel Aviv, Israel. Team size: 82. Total funding raised: $43.2 million ($7.2M Series A + $36M Series B). Latest round: Series B ($36M, led by Jump Crypto). Key investors include ["Jump Crypto (led $36M Series B)", "Electric Capital (led $7.2M Series A)"].

Founded
2018
Headquarters
Tel Aviv, Israel
Team size
82
Total funding
$43.2 million ($7.2M Series A + $36M Series B)

Value proposition

Enterprise-grade formal verification platform for smart contracts and blockchain security, preventing bugs and vulnerabilities through mathematical proofs. Proven track record securing DeFi protocols including SushiSwap, Aave, Compound, Balancer, and Stellar/Soroban.

Products and solutions

["Certora Prover - formal verification tool for smart contracts", "Gambit - security analysis tool", "Smart Contract Audit Services", "Security analysis for blockchain systems", "AI Composer - AI-driven coding platform for safe smart contract development", "Modular formal verification solutions", "DeFi protocol security tools"]

Unique value

Pioneered Automatic Exact Verification (AEV) technology and integrates AI with formal methods to enhance smart contract security.

Target customer

Blockchain developers, Web3 protocols, and enterprises deploying smart contracts on EVM-based chains, Solana, and Stellar.

Industries served

["Blockchain/Web3","Decentralized Finance (DeFi)","Enterprise Blockchain Solutions","Smart Contract Development"]

Technology advantage

Founded by world-leading formal verification researcher (Mooly Sagiv - ACM Fellow). Mathematical proof-based security vs. traditional testing. Proven bug prevention in major DeFi protocols ($billions secured). Enterprise-grade assurance methodology from aeronautics/finance applied to blockchain.

How they differentiate

Academic rigor + proven DeFi track record (Aave, Compound, Balancer, SushiSwap). Formal verification (mathematical proofs) vs. traditional audits. Founded by ACM Fellow and formal methods pioneer. Strong investor backing (Jump Crypto, Electric Capital).

Main competitors

["CertiK","AnChain.AI","Timeworks (Timing)"]

Key partnerships

["Cork (Web3 security partnership)", "Hypernative (Web3 security partnership)", "Stellar (Soroban smart contract security)", "SushiSwap (security verification)", "Aave (protocol security)", "Compound (protocol security)", "Balancer (protocol security)", "Sui Foundation (ecosystem security partnership, Feb 2026)", "Ethereum Foundation (zkEVM research grant, Feb 2026)", "Solana Foundation Delegation Program (validator, Dec 2025)", "Powdr Labs (zkEVM collaboration, Feb 2026)"]

Notable customers

["SushiSwap (prevented Trident pool bugs)", "Aave (DeFi protocol)", "Compound (DeFi protocol)", "Balancer (DeFi protocol)", "Stellar/Soroban (smart contracts)", "Lido (liquid staking)", "Uniswap (DEX)"]

Major milestones

["2018: Founded by Mooly Sagiv (ACM Fellow) and Shelly Grossman in Tel Aviv", "Raised $7.2M Series A led by Electric Capital", "Raised $36M Series B led by Jump Crypto (total $43.2M)", "Prevented critical bugs in SushiSwap Trident liquidity pool", "Secured major DeFi protocols: Aave, Compound, Balancer", "Partnership with Stellar for Soroban smart contract security", "Seth Hallem appointed as new CEO (Mooly Sagiv to strategic research)", "2025: Partnerships with Cork and Hypernative for Web3 security standards", "Launched AI Composer for AI-driven safe smart contract development", "Dec 2025: Joined Solana Foundation Delegation Program as validator", "Feb 2026: Awarded Ethereum Foundation research grant for zkEVM formal verification", "Feb 2026: Partnership with Sui Foundation to strengthen ecosystem security", "2025: Secured $196.5B in DeFi TVL, prevented 720+ vulnerabilities"]

Growth metrics

Secured $196.5B in DeFi TVL in 2025, preventing 720+ vulnerabilities. Clients include Lido, Aave, Uniswap, Compound, Balancer, SushiSwap, Stellar. $43.2M raised + Ethereum Foundation grant. Offices in Tel Aviv, Seattle, Berlin. Security research team quadrupled in 2025.

Market positioning

Leading formal verification provider for blockchain security with proven track record securing billions in DeFi protocols

Geographic focus

Global, with partnerships and clients in North America, Europe, and Asia, including major DeFi projects like Lido and Aave.

Patents and IP

No specific patents listed in public records; core innovations are protected through proprietary technology and trade secrets.

About Seth Hallem (Current CEO), Mooly Sagiv (Founding CEO, now leading strategic research)

Current CEO Seth Hallem appointed to lead Certora into next growth phase. Founding CEO Mooly Sagiv is leading researcher in formal verification, ACM Fellow, Microsoft Outstanding Award recipient for contributions to formal methods, recipient of prestigious European grant.

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