Jeremy Wood is one of the co-founders of IOHK (Input Output Hong Kong), the company responsible for the development of Cardano, alongside Charles Hoskinson.
In 2015, Jeremy Wood and Charles Hoskinson separated from the Ethereum team and co-founded Input Output Hong Kong (IOHK). The goal was to build a scalable, energy-efficient alternative to Ethereum.
Wood and Hoskinson assembled a team of leading cryptographers and adopted a research-driven, peer-reviewed approach to blockchain development. They introduced Ouroboros, a novel consensus mechanism designed to provide a high level of network security and sustainability.
While Charles Hoskinson led much of the technical development and became the public face of IOHK (now known as Input Output Global), Jeremy Wood took on the role of Chief Strategy Officer. His expertise in strategy, communication, and collaboration helped establish Cardano as a competitive player in the Layer One blockchain space.
Overview
Here’s a bit more about his background and role:
- Co-Founder of IOHK: Jeremy Wood co-founded IOHK with Charles Hoskinson in 2015. Together, they set out to build a blockchain research and development company that takes a scientific, academic approach to building decentralized systems.
- Background in Blockchain: Prior to co-founding IOHK, Jeremy worked at Ethereum in its early days. This experience in one of the world’s first smart contract platforms gave him insights into blockchain technology and its potential, which helped shape his approach to building future blockchain systems.
- Strategist: At IOHK, Jeremy Wood has primarily focused on high-level strategy and operations, helping guide the company’s direction as it developed Cardano and other blockchain projects. His leadership has been integral in maintaining IOHK’s commitment to academic rigor and long-term vision.
- Collaborator with Charles Hoskinson: Jeremy and Charles Hoskinson have a longstanding professional relationship, starting from their collaboration at Ethereum to co-founding IOHK. Together, they share a vision for blockchain technology that emphasizes scalability, sustainability, and decentralization.
- Retirement from Cardano: The mysterious Cardano co-founder stood down from his role as the Chief Strategy Officer at IOHK in 2020 and hasn’t resurfaced in the crypto space since.
Education
Jeremy Wood attended Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, where he pursued his academic studies from 2002 to 2007, ultimately earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. While not focused on technical fields such as computer science or engineering, Wood’s education in the arts provided him with valuable skills in communication, collaboration, and team management—attributes that are essential in the blockchain industry but often overlooked by more technically focused professionals.
Upon completing his degree, Wood embarked on a journey to Asia, though the reasons behind this move remain unclear.
While Charles Hoskinson tends to be the more public face of Cardano and IOHK, Jeremy Wood has been a key figure behind the scenes, helping to ensure that the projects remain focused on their long-term goals and research-driven approach.
Early Career
Jeremy Wood’s early professional career began in Osaka, Japan, where he worked in the education sector. From 2008 to 2014, Wood operated as a self-employed consultant, providing English training and curriculum development. This work drew on his educational background in the arts.
During his time in Japan, Wood became interested in Bitcoin and blockchain technology. He founded the Kansai Bitcoin Meet-up group, which brought together cryptocurrency enthusiasts to explore the potential of decentralized systems. This experience deepened Wood’s involvement in the crypto space and set the stage for his later ventures, including larger projects such as Cardano.
💡 Helpful References
Jeremy Wood - Cardano's Mysterious Co-founder
https://dailycoin.com/jeremy-wood-cardano-mysterious-co-founder/
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