Ismael (Founder/CEO) and Nate (Defense GTM) from Lagrange explain why the biggest commercial demand for cutting-edge cryptography might be outside crypto—securing AI in defense, healthcare, and regulated finance. We cover: why they built DeepProof (a zero-knowledge ML library that proves model outputs over private inputs), how this fits the DoD’s zero-trust mandates, and why frontier crypto R&D should serve national interest, not just faster token launches. We also dig into GTM with government, what zero-knowledge adds beyond TLS, and how to talk “applied cryptography” without getting stuck in a “crypto” stigma.
Key timestamps
[00:00:00] Cold Open: Ismael on crypto funding frontier cryptography beyond tokens
[00:01:00] Introduction: Sam sets up Lagrange, AI, defense, and applied cryptography
[00:03:00] Origin Story: Ismael’s path from TradFi and VC to founding Lagrange
[00:06:00] Why Defense: Using crypto-funded cryptography for national security and AI safety
[00:10:00] DeepProof Explained: Proving AI model outputs over private inputs with ZK
[00:15:00] Business Model: “OpenAI sells inference; we sell proofs”
[00:18:00] Beyond Crypto: Healthcare, compliance, and dual-use cryptography
[00:22:00] Nate’s Role: Selling applied cryptography to defense without leading with “crypto”
[00:27:00] Lagrange Vision: Cryptographic supremacy and becoming the verifiability layer
[00:33:00] Roadmap & Ask: Expansion into defense, partners with serious AI workloads
Connect
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lagrange-labs/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/i20h/
Disclaimer
Nothing mentioned in this podcast is investment advice and please do your own research.
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