Gauntlet
Gauntlet builds automated risk management and yield optimization tools for institutional investors in decentralized finance (DeFi). The 56-person company has raised $170M, including a Series C in 2026, with backing from Coinbase Ventures and Dragonfly.
The growth story
Gauntlet grew from 12 to 56 employees between 2019 and 2026, raising $170M along the way, most recently a Series C in July 2026.
About
Gauntlet sells software that helps financial institutions and crypto platforms maximize returns while minimizing risk in DeFi markets. Its systems use simulations and data analysis to adjust yield strategies in real time based on market conditions.
The company serves clients ranging from early-stage crypto projects to established financial firms. Its $170M funding and investor roster suggest strong institutional confidence in its quantitative approach to DeFi risk management.
Founders and leadership
Engineering is Gauntlet's largest function with 12 staff. The company has a flat structure with a median tenure of just one year, indicating rapid team turnover or expansion.
The Gauntlet org chart
Tarun Chitra (Founder, CEO) leads 16 mapped leaders with 4 direct reports. Click +N to expand a team; names link to the person’s public profile.
Departments, and which ones grew
Headcount by function: Engineering 15 (-52% YoY), Business Development 9 (-18% YoY), Finance 6 (+20% YoY), Sales 4 (0% YoY), Marketing 3 (-50% YoY).
Talent flow
Gauntlet recruits heavily from EY (4 alumni), Cornell University (3), and Amazon (3). Alumni frequently move to crypto startups like Platonia (3) and Helius (2), or traditional finance firms like Citadel (2).
Most common previous employers of Gauntlet staff: EY (4), Cornell University (3), Amazon (3), Brigit (2), Gigster (2), TD (2). Former Gauntlet employees most often moved to Platonia (3), Helius (2), Modus (2), Citadel (2), Pickford (2), Fun (1).
Alumni worth knowing
The Gauntlet mafia
Four Gauntlet alumni have founded companies, including Platonia (3 founders) and AI Socratic (1 founder). These spinouts suggest knowledge transfer from Gauntlet's quantitative finance expertise.
6Holt Butler, was Senior Product Manager until 2025Hsien-Tang Kao, was Engineering Manager until 2024Watson Fu, was Head of Market Risk | Staff Simulation Engineer until 2024Victor X., was Head of Models until 2024Federico Ulfo, was Senior Software Engineer & Platform Team Lead until 2023Nathan Lord, was Staff Data Scientist until 2025Hiring now
Web traffic
Traffic mix: 52% direct, 39% search, 3% social, 0% paid.
What this company is made of
Most common skills at Gauntlet: Python (Programming Language) (24), Data Analysis (19), SQL (18), Microsoft Office (17), Microsoft Excel (16), C++ (14), Analytical Skills (13), Leadership (13).
Where the team actually sits
Gauntlet people are concentrated in New York, United States (12), United States (6), New York City Metropolitan Area (3), Florida, United States (2).
Search footprint
Gauntlet attracts about 225 organic search visits a month. It gained 38 ranking keywords and lost 20 in the last period.
What employees say
- Compensation
- 3.90 / 5
- Career opportunities
- 4.10 / 5
- Senior management
- 4.00 / 5
- Work-life balance
- 3.50 / 5
Frequently asked
Gauntlet has 56 employees as of September 2026.
Gauntlet has raised $170M in total, most recently a Series C round in July 2026.
Gauntlet was founded in 2018 by Tarun Chitra, John Morrow, Rei Chiang.
Tarun Chitra (Founder, CEO) sits at the top of Gauntlet's reporting structure, with 4 direct reports.
The most common previous employers of current Gauntlet staff are EY (4 people), Cornell University (3 people), Amazon (3 people).
Former Gauntlet employees most often move to Platonia (3), Helius (2), Modus (2).
At least 4 companies have a founder who previously worked at Gauntlet, including Aila, Platonia, AI Socratic.
Gauntlet attracts about 225 organic search visits a month.
The most common skills among Gauntlet staff are Python (Programming Language), Data Analysis, SQL, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel.
Gauntlet staff are concentrated in New York, United States (12), United States (6), New York City Metropolitan Area (3).
Gauntlet has about 15 people in Engineering, down 52% over the past year, as of September 2026.
Gauntlet has about 9 people in Business Development, down 18% over the past year, as of September 2026.
Computed from 43 current and 91 former Gauntlet profiles, as of September 2026. Source: Crustdata.
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