The project to create Cardano was initiated by a group of cryptocurrency enthusiasts, investors, and entrepreneurs concentrated in Asia at the end of 2014. Charles Hoskinson and Jeremy Wood founded Input Output (initially, IOHK) to design and implement Cardano. In addition, the Cardano Foundation was set up to oversee and supervise the development of Cardano and to act as an advocate for its users. The foundation is based in Switzerland. A third entity, Emurgo, was created to pursue commercial activities on behalf of the ecosystem and community. The three entities have separate ownerships and leadership.
Launched in 2017
The Cardano blockchain and ada, its founding native cryptocurrency, was launched in 2017 and established itself as one of the leading blockchains. IOHK has evolved into Input Output Global, Inc. (IOG) with Charles Hoskinson as Chief Executive Officer. IOG is incorporated in the state of Wyoming, USA.
Input Output
Founded in 2015 by Charles Hoskinson and Jeremy Wood, Input Output is one of the world's preeminent blockchain infrastructure research and engineering companies. IOG is committed to the highest principles of academic rigor and evidence-based software development. The organization builds high-assurance blockchain infrastructure solutions for public, private sector, and government clients.
As the blockchain engineering and research company that is participating, along with the Cardano Foundation, Emurgo, and other third parties, in developing the core Cardano platform, IOG has assembled a multi-talented global team of more than 600 people. This includes computer scientists, academic researchers, software engineers, product specialists, and technical architects.
Over 600 employees
With over 600 staff (as of May 2022), IOG is an ever-expanding constellation for the development of decentralized applications, identity solutions, wallets, and an eclectic and thematically diversified range of decentralized applications for blockchain.
Cardano Foundation
The Cardano Foundation is an independent Swiss-based non-profit that oversees and supervises the advancement of Cardano. The foundation is the legal custodian of theCardano brand and sets the direction for decentralized economic empowerment, working with regulators in different jurisdictions to shape blockchain legislation and commercial standards. The CF also empowers the Cardano community to leverage the Cardano protocol to solve real-life problems.
EMURGO
EMURGO is the official commercial arm of Cardano and provides socially impactful Web3 solutions to solve the most intricate problems of organizations and individuals. As a founding entity of the Cardano blockchain protocol, EMURGO's Fintech, Media, Ventures, Middle East& Africa, and Academy business units provide large-scale blockchain development and rapid solutions deployment leveraging Cardano to benefit its global clients.