- A secure video calling platform created by Ayush Ranjan and Susmit Lavania. It uses decentralized peer-to-peer (P2P) technology, keeping user data on their devices for enhanced privacy and security.
- It offers unique features like token-gated meetings and NFT profile pictures, aiming to revolutionize video calls with a focus on privacy and innovative functionality.
- Huddle01's dRTC Network eliminates the need for centralized servers, making real-time communication open and secure. With over 1 million minutes of meetings and 100+ projects built on its SDKs, Huddle01 is driving the advancement of decentralized communication.
Lockdown in 2020 showed us all, just how unreliable platforms like Zoom and Google Meet are. Ayush Ranjan's personal experience, witnessing his cousin's struggles with Zoom during India's transition to remote schooling, emphasized the urgency for change.
And so, Huddle01 was devised (during the 2020 ETHGlobal hackathon) in response to the glaring privacy and security gaps in existing solutions. Driven by the vision of fostering open, secure, and decentralized communication; Huddle01 has embarked on a mission to redefine real-time communication.
The pivotal moment of realization that the centralized nature of current platforms jeopardizes user data and experiences is what led to the creation of Huddle01 and since then it has emerged as a transformative force in this rapidly evolving landscape of communication, challenging the status quo of centralized platforms like Zoom and Google Meet.
Zoom out and Huddle in
At the heart of Huddle01's innovation lies decentralization. Unlike conventional platforms, Huddle01 leverages peer-to-peer (P2P) technology, ensuring that user data resides solely on their devices, shielded from external interference. This decentralized approach not only enhances privacy and security but also empowers users with greater control over their information.
In addition to its vigorous security measures, Huddle01 introduces distinctive features to enhance user experiences. From token-gated meetings, enabling exclusive gatherings, to integrating NFT profile pictures for creative expression, Huddle01 stands apart in the realm of video conferencing.
Furthermore, Huddle01's dRTC (decentralized Real-time communication) Network marks a paradigm shift in communication infrastructure. By eliminating the dependency on centralized servers, Huddle01 delivers faster, more reliable communication experiences.
With over 1 million minutes of meetings logged and a diverse ecosystem of 100+ projects built on its developer SDKs, Huddle01 continues to push the boundaries of decentralized communication.
As concerns over data privacy and security intensify, Huddle01 stands as a beacon of change, offering a glimpse into a future where communication is decentralized, user-centric, and inherently secure. With its unwavering commitment to innovation, Huddle01 foreshadows a new era of digital communication—one where privacy, security, and inclusivity reign supreme.
What's new?
As Huddle01 navigates its journey towards redefining real-time communication, recent developments accentuate its commitment to innovation and user-centricity.
At the core of Huddle01's development lies its deliberate strategy towards decentralization. While the platform currently relies on Amazon Web Services, the ultimate goal is to transition to a fully decentralized protocol.
We have followed an approach of solving demand first and then solving the supply side of things,” Ayush Rajan tells The Agenda podcast.“If you do it decentralized from day one, will that lead to users not using it because it’s so tough to use?”
This transition will enable individuals to run their own nodes, fostering a distributed network where call traffic is routed autonomously—an endeavor that aligns with the essence of Web3.
This approach has already clocked 2 million minutes of call time on the platform, demonstrating the platform's traction and user engagement, and laying a solid foundation. This means there will, theoretically, be guaranteed demand once the protocol officially goes live.
Another pivotal step towards this vision is the appointment of Shruti Appiah as Chief Economist. With her expertise in crypto-economic system design and strategic product leadership, Appiah brings a wealth of experience to Huddle01.
Her contributions, both as an advisor and now as Chief Economist, highlight the platform's commitment to harnessing the power of decentralized technologies to revolutionize communication.
In addition to leadership advancements, Huddle01 has secured significant funding, with a $2.8 million seed round from blockchain investment firm Hivemind and other investors such as Temasek’s Web3 arm Superscrypt, M31 Capital, Protocol Labs, East Ventures, and a few angel investors as well.
This booster of capital will accelerate ecosystem growth, support dApps development, and expand the network of communication nodes—a testament to the confidence investors have in Huddle01's vision and potential.
Huddle01 SDK 2.0 latest release is the ability to host 10,000 peers in one room - thanks to Cascading! This came after they faced a herculean challenge last year where there was a demand to host live interactions for up to 10,000 participants concurrently from around the globe.
You can read in detail about cascading and how Huddle01 implemented it in a blog by their lead backend engineer Om Gupta.
Huddle01 keeps its blog well-stocked with information, updates, and how-to guides for everyone and anyone who wishes to make this platform their own.
With Huddle01 developing and progressing at its current pace it is only in a matter of time that it will soon be the household name for video conferencing. By embracing progressive decentralization and strategic leadership, Huddle01 is poised to redefine the future of real-time communication, paving the way for a more secure, inclusive, and decentralized digital landscape.
Edited by Annette George
