Mathematics is the foundation of how the world operates. Few entrepreneurs understand the profound meaning of this statement better than Professor Ronghui Gu, especially after he redefined the landscape of Web3 security with formal verification based on mathematical methods. Professor Gu was a top student at Tsinghua University, earned a Ph.D. from Yale, and co-founded CertiK, the largest Web3 security service provider. He is also a full-time professor of computer science at Columbia University.
What truly connects these accolades? What traits have shaped his extraordinary path? Professor Gu recently sat down with Forbes China to discuss his journey from academia to Web3 security, and how mathematical rigor continues to shape his approach to innovation. In this blog, we’ll look at highlights from his interview, including his academic background, how he founded CertiK, and how CertiK is influencing blockchain security.
The Starting Point: Talent, Dedication, and Diligence
Whether it was winning a national first prize in a mathematics competition in high school, choosing a computer science major grounded in mathematics at Tsinghua, or focusing on formal verification during his Ph.D. studies at Yale, Ronghui Gu’s mathematical talent and dedication to the subject are evident. Professor Gu’s passion also permeated the details of his entrepreneurial journey. During our conversation, he enthusiastically pointed to CertiK’s logo and said, “There’s a mathematical symbol ‘∀’ in the shield, meaning ‘for all,’ symbolizing our goal to protect all software systems using mathematical methods.”
Talent and dedication, however, are inseparable from diligence. Recalling the challenges of developing CertiKOS with his mentor, Professor Zhong Shao, at Yale, Professor Gu said, “I remember often working until 4 or 5 a.m.” That hard work paid off: in 2016, CertiKOS—the first formally verified vulnerability-free operating system kernel—was born, sparking a sensation in academia and garnering widespread attention. In December 2017, the Web3 security service provider CertiK was founded, and by 2022, its valuation had soared to $2 billion—at which point Ronghui Gu was just 33 years old.
A company often reflects the traits of its founder. Ronghui Gu’s renowned diligence has deeply influenced CertiK’s culture. “It’s not just me—every team member works extremely hard. We’re often still in meetings at 2 a.m.,” he noted.
Methodology of Focus: Prioritization and Embracing Trial and Error
For Ronghui Gu, focus comes almost naturally. Yet, as CertiK’s influence and workload grew, balancing the roles of entrepreneur, professor, scholar, and ordinary individual made it increasingly difficult to maintain hands-on control. “If you try to manage every detail and avoid all mistakes, you end up spreading your attention and resources too thin,” he explained.
Eventually, his approach to focus evolved: it became about identifying top priorities and scaling back on less important activities. More importantly, he shifted from perfectionism to accepting a system of trial and error. For instance, amid the frequent fluctuations and rapid technological iterations in the Web3 space, Professor Gu now directs his energy toward strategic foresight and critical (P0-level) incidents, letting go of less pressing issues. “The company’s atmosphere has become more relaxed, and efficiency has improved,” he said with a smile.
Values Deep in the Genes: Doing What Should Be Done
Professor Gu’s multiple identities—beyond just being a businessman—prompt deeper reflection on values. “As scholars, we need rationality, but often it’s our emotional side that drives us to persist and achieve the seemingly impossible,” he said. This resilience carried him through the greatest crisis of his entrepreneurial career: the three-year COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time, CertiK was in a pivotal phase, but with its New York headquarters in the heart of a severe outbreak, the team—spanning multiple countries, regions, and more than 30 U.S. states—was forced to work remotely across time zones. “Even scheduling a company-wide meeting was a logistical nightmare,” he recalled. But rather than retreating, he tackled the most demanding customer needs head-on. This marked the birth of CertiK’s core value: “doing what should be done.” Unlike chasing trends and doing what easily wins, CertiK prioritizes customers’ true needs, even when they’re tough to meet.
Guided by this value, CertiK defied the odds to become the only surviving and growing leader in the Web3 security space, which was flooded by more than 2,000 companies at the time, and together with the Web3 industry, embarked on an impressive rapid expansion.
CertiK has experienced explosive revenue growth and continues to promote a standard of "publishing full audit reports", setting itself apart with a commitment to transparency. It has successfully launched multiple products, such as Skynet and Team Verification. Additionally, it has completed several funding rounds led by top-tier institutions, including Sequoia and Hillhouse, achieving a valuation of $2 billion, and has achieved a market share of more than 60%.
And the story continues. To date, CertiK has served more than 5,000 clients, identified more than 150,000 security vulnerabilities, and been inducted into the Hall of Fame of Samsung and Ledger. Apple has acknowledged the company six times—with a seventh recognition expected soon. CertiK also secures Web2 giants like Xiaohongshu, Ctrip, Ant Group, and Meituan.
Back in the interview room at Forbes China's headquarters, Ronghui Gu, dressed in a light gray suit, speaks to the camera in a natural and captivating manner. This young entrepreneur remains as dedicated as he was when he was immersed in mathematics and technology. The path to the future continues to unfold—perhaps toward an IPO or a deeper industry responsibility—but Professor Gu is clearly not in a hurry to define the endpoint.
