Participated · Initial Coin Offering · Nov 2021

Founded around 2018, Agoric began as a JavaScript-based smart-contract coding language and has since evolved into a proof-of-stake blockchain linked to the Cosmos ecosystem. Its core product is a platform that enables developers to write smart contracts in JavaScript with additional security controls. Agoric is focused on bringing millions of JavaScript developers into crypto and DeFi by meeting them in a familiar language. The project has built a consensus layer with the Cosmos SDK and is preparing an economic applications layer that will include a stable token called Run. The company completed a public token sale that added roughly 40,000 new account holders and has so far raised over $85 million including a private sale and earlier seed funding. Future phases include a permission phase for community-vetted core contracts, continued security testing, bug bounties, and eventual permissionless deployment. Agoric is a JavaScript-native smart contract platform and Proof-of-Stake blockchain built with the Cosmos SDK that provides a composable development environment with reusable governance, lending, and trading components. The chain includes built-in DeFi primitives such as RUN (a stable local currency) and BLD (a staking token) to support on-chain economic activity. Agoric launched its public mainnet after testing network infrastructure and staking dynamics with more than 100 validators. The team intends to use funding to scale the ecosystem and expand developer programs, including additional entry points into DeFi and continued developer bounties. Agoric has partnered with Keplr to support BLD staking and governance and aims to attract JavaScript developers and enterprises to build interoperable DeFi applications. The project is led by CEO Dean Tribble and Chief Scientist Mark S. Miller. Agoric is developing a blockchain-agnostic programming language for smart contracts that is based on JavaScript and designed to enable formal verification while remaining accessible to developers. The company aims to reduce costly smart-contract bugs by making contracts more secure and easier to audit. Agoric launched last year and is preparing to bring its technology to market, with a near-term goal of launching a testnet. The startup plans to double its team with the new funding, prioritizing engineering and business development hires. It also intends to build interoperability with top-tier next-generation decentralized projects. Chief scientist Mark Miller emphasized that even experienced developers can accidentally introduce expensive errors into smart contracts, motivating Agoric’s approach. The company received a $4 million financing to support these product and go-to-market efforts.