CollaboratePrivately,Prove Publicly.
Network and Services for Private Shared State.
→Learn more→Trusted and Backed by:
The TACEO Stack
We're building the compute network for Private Shared State,
enabling verifiable collaboration directly on encrypted data.
TACEO Network:
MPC & coSNARKs for Private Shared State
TACEO Services:
Foundational primitives for optimal performance
TACEO Tooling:
zkDSL extensions for MPC & coSNARKs
Status: In Development
Developer tooling to run Circom & Noir circuits in an MPC environment.
To address the industry's critical gap in private computation,we propose coSNARKsas a solution.
The first core services to realize Private Shared State:
TACEO:OPRF
The Private Recognition Service: Generates persistent, unlinkable user identifiers (nullifiers) without compromising their secret keys.
TACEO:OMap
The Private Lookup Service: Enables verifiable storage and retrieval of confidential shared state, essential for private ledgers and registries.
TACEO:Proof
The Verifiable Execution Engine: Outsources complex ZK/coSNARK proof generation to the network, ensuring trustless execution of private computations.
Unlockblockchain'sfull potentialwith privateshared state.
We are
TACEO
Ais
Connolly
Chief Strategy Officer
Aisling holds degrees in math, economics, and computer science, and obtained her PhD from the ENS in Paris in 2019. She has spent the past years working extensively on threshold cryptography and confidential computing, in both trad-fi and web3. Beyond this, she also worked on scientific and technical direction, strategy, and the legal aspects of building and using privacy tech.
Ais
Connolly
Chief Strategy Officer
Andrew
Protocol Architect
Andrew has experience designing and modifying blockchain protocols both in their early stages and at mature large production chains/ecosystems. He has a background working in the distributed systems in general ranging from consensus, cryptography, state machines, game theory, and economic security of protocols.
Andrew
Protocol Architect
Cesar
Descalzo
Cryptographic Engineer
Before joining TACEO, César earned a joint Master’s degree in Cybersecurity from EPFL and ETH Zurich, specializing in cryptography and secure software engineering. He previously worked as a Cryptography Engineer at NP Labs, a startup focused on zero-knowledge technologies, where he worked extensively with SNARKs, polynomial commitment schemes, and general design of efficient cryptographic protocols. When he's not fighting with the compiler, you’ll probably find him playing chess, shredding the electric guitar, or hiking in the mountains.
Cesar
Descalzo
Cryptographic Engineer
Christian
Rechberger
Chief Scientist
Christian is co-founder of TACEO and Prof. at TU Graz. He is known for his work on cryptanalysis, and co-designer of a number of MPC-friendly, ZK-friendly, and FHE-friendly cryptographic primitives including the Poseidon hash function.
Christian
Rechberger
Chief Scientist
Daniel
Kales
CTO
Daniel is a co-founder and technical lead at TACEO. Before that, he completed his PhD at TU Graz on the topic of Post-Quantum Signatures built using MPC-in-the-Head ZK protocols and was a co-author of the Picnic submission to the NIST Post-Quantum Standardization project. Additionally, Daniel is responsible for ensuring that high quality coffee is consumed at TACEO.
Daniel
Kales
CTO
Fabian
Gruber
Engineer
Before joining TACEO, Fabian worked at the SIC Stiftung of the ISEC Institute at the Technical University of Graz, where he implemented full-stack and cryptography applications for eGovernment solutions. He earned a Master's degree in Computer Science at the same institute. For his Master's thesis, he focused on MPC, specifically developing tools to achieve general-purpose MPC from RISC-V assembly.
Fabian
Gruber
Engineer
Florin
Fabsits
Research Engineer
Florin joined TACEO in January 2024. Before that, he earned a Master's degree in Mathematics from Graz University of Technology, specializing in discrete mathematics with a particular focus on commutative and noncommutative algebra. Outside of work, he enjoys cycling and regularly attends GAK matches, though he often ends up regretting it by Monday.
Florin
Fabsits
Research Engineer
Franco
Nieddu
Engineer
Before joining TACEO, Franco worked at the SIC Stiftung of the ISEC Institute at the Technical University of Graz, where he was a cryptographic engineer focused on eGovernment solutions and the secure implementation of cryptographic algorithms on the Java platform. His work primarily involved AdES signatures and post-quantum cryptography. He completed his Master's degree in Computer Science at the same institute.
Franco
Nieddu
Engineer
Lukas
Götz
CPO
Lukas has been actively involved in the crypto space since 2014. He has co-founded multiple web3 ventures focused on DeFi, RWA and token investments. In 2018, he pioneered a novel application of smart contracts by deploying the first legally binding, on-chain wedding contract—an early milestone in the intersection of blockchain and legal innovation. At TACEO, Lukas shapes the long-term product strategy.
Lukas
Götz
CPO
Lukas
Helminger
CEO
Before co-founding TACEO, Lukas was a cryptography researcher and lecturer at Graz university of Technology and at the Austrian Defense Department. Prior to studying mathematics, he competed in international cycling races.
Lukas
Helminger
CEO
Quentin
Gaucher
General Marketing Manager
Quentin began his career in architecture and design, later co-founding a high-end furniture company before moving into Web3 and privacy tech. He worked on making ZK cryptography more accessible, growing technical communities, and running events with the ZK Hack community. At TACEO, he brings a unique blend of creative vision, technical understanding, and strategic leadership to shape the company’s brand and market presence.
Quentin
Gaucher
General Marketing Manager
Roman
Holler
Engineer
Roman graduated from Graz University of Technology with a Master's degree in Computer Science. He focused on the application of zk in the steel industry during his Master’s thesis at the ISEC institute. During and after his studies, Roman worked for PSI Metals who provides production management solutions for the metals industry before joining TACEO in 2023.
Roman
Holler
Engineer
Roman
Walch
Lead Cryptographer
Roman is a co-founder and the lead cryptographer of TACEO, a small company with the goal of making private computation using cryptography the default option in Web3. Before that, he obtained a PhD in Cryptography at Graz University of Technology, advised by Prof. Christian Rechberger. His main research interests include privacy enhancing technologies (MPC, ZK, FHE), their intersection with symmetric primitives, and their application to real world use cases.
Roman
Walch
Lead Cryptographer
Shaked
Engelstein
Executive Assistant
Before joining TACEO, Shaked worked as a software engineer in the semiconductor industry, where she implemented embedded cryptographic libraries. She later transitioned into a role as a security evaluator, specializing in in-depth security code reviews. Currently, she is completing her studies in computer science. At TACEO, Shaked brings a sharp eye for detail, a no-nonsense approach to problem solving, and a deep appreciation for good food, all shared over a good debate.
Shaked
Engelstein
Executive Assistant
Simon Guggi
Engineer
Before joining TACEO, Simon worked at the SIC Stiftung of the ISEC Institute at the Technical University of Graz, where he was a cryptographic engineer focused on the implementation of post-quantum algorithms on the Java platform, with a special focus on the new PQ signature algorithms. He also contributed to different national and international government-funded projects. He completed his Master's degree in Computer Science at the same instute.
Simon Guggi
Engineer
Stefan
Plank
COO
Stefan is a serial entrepreneur with a strong track record of building successful businesses. He thrives on entrepreneurship, finding joy in building and growing businesses. Customer-centricity, streamlined structures, effective communication, and high-performing teams are top priorities for him to ensure success. Giving ideas and organizations structure, he enables the realization of ambitious visions while ensuring the delivery of exceptional products and services. He holds a degree in civil engineering and business administration.
Stefan
Plank
COO
