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Notebook Labs

Y Combinator LogoS22
Inactive
defi
crypto-web3
identity
Stanford
 
http://www.notebooklabs.xyz

Decentralized, anonymous, and accountable identity on Web3.

Notebook solves the Web3 identity problem by using Zero-Knowledge to provide both anonymous proof-of-humanity and credential aggregation. Notebook initially verifies users’ identifying information to ensure that each person has just a single Notebook. Neither Notebook, nor any other company knows the link between a user’s personal information and their Notebook. Once a user’s Notebook account is created they can begin proving their humanity and aggregating their credentials across wallets. Notebook can be used to increase the safety of DeFi, governance, and airdrops. With Notebook, creators and communities can run Sybil-resistant airdrops, DAOs can verify the humanity and aggregate the credentials of participants, and lending protocols can build credit scoring systems to offer lower-collateralized loans.
Notebook Labs
Founded:2022
Team Size:3
Location:Stanford, CA
Group Partner:Harj Taggar
 

Former Founders

Nathaniel Masfen-Yan

Nathaniel has a background in mathematics and theoretical computer science, completing graduate cryptography courses at Stanford and competing in the International Mathematical Olympiad for New Zealand.
Nathaniel Masfen-Yan
Nathaniel Masfen-Yan
Notebook Labs
  

Solal Afota

Solal has a background in math and theoretical computer science. He grew up in the Middle East and competed internationally for the French math team. Passionate about blockchain infrastructure, cryptography, and identity.
Solal Afota
Solal Afota
Notebook Labs
 

Dhruv Mangtani

Dhruv has a decade of technical experience, primarily in app development (Web, iOS, and Android) and R&D in machine learning and compilers.
Dhruv Mangtani
Dhruv Mangtani
Notebook Labs
 

Company Launches

🔑 Notebook Labs: Anonymous, Accountable, Self-Sovereign Identity

Hi everyone, we are Nat, Solal and Dhruv, and we are stoked to present Notebook Labs! 🚨📈

TL; DR: Notebook uses Zero-Knowledge to set a new standard for Web3 identity. When a user creates their unique Notebook, they can prove their humanity and credentials to protocols across wallets and chains, without having to reveal any personal information.

And they can do all of this with or without a wallet.

🕵🏽 The Identity Problem on Web3

On blockchains, users identify themselves with wallet addresses, providing limited privacy or accountability. Malicious actors can easily re-identify themselves through new wallet addresses, making it difficult for protocols to prevent fraud or Sybil-attacks. Until accountability is brought to Web3, governments, banks, and other trusted systems have little incentive to put sensitive applications at risk for the sake of decentralization.

🧪 Where does Notebook fit in the identity space?

Currently, Web3 identities are either non-accountable (e.g. wallet address, Polygon ID, Sign-in with Ethereum, Gitcoin Passport), where users can create multiple identities, or non-anonymized (e.g. Proof of Humanity, Bright ID, disco.xyz ). Powered by Zero-Knowledge Proofs, Notebook is decentralized, accountable, anonymous, and self-sovereign.

🪄 How does it work?

When creating their Notebook, users receive a mnemonic that they encrypt with a password through the Notebook app or chrome extension. They then have the option to enter personally identifying information like their SSN-4 or passport, what we call “Strong Proof-of-Humanity”, or authenticate with Twitter, “Weak Proof-of-Humanity.” With Weak PoH, user humanity can also be verified through an analysis of the user’s social graph. By using Zero-Knowledge proofs, neither Notebook Labs nor any other company knows the link between a user’s personal information and their Notebook. If a user chooses to not verify their humanity, they can still prove and develop on-chain credentials, but protocols can prevent them from accessing sensitive services.

With just a few lines of code, protocols can verify a user’s credentials and Proof-of-Humanity through their Notebook. Protocols can then record credentials, with the user’s permission, like credit scores, illicit content posting flags, and DAO engagement. Users can prove these credentials to protocols to gain entry to services.

🏭 Can I integrate with Notebook in production?

Yes! Check out our demo integration: https://www.loom.com/share/28ae17da0496459c8c70a24b3b5bd67f.

We can work with you 1-on-1 to integrate Notebook authentication in a few lines of code. If you’re interested in learning more, feel free to reach out!

Note: We are currently implementing Notebook as a rollup, and wallet addresses will be obviated by mid-September.

🙌 How can you help?

If you or someone you know

  • Is considering doing an airdrop
  • Participates in a DAO
  • Works with blockchain infrastructure
  • Works in the DeFi staking/borrowing space
  • Manages Web3 communities or events

Contact Us

Nathaniel Masfen-Yan nat@notebooklabs.xyz Telegram: @NathanielMY

Solal Afota solal@notebooklabs.xyz Telegram: @solalette

Dhruv Mangtani dhruv@notebooklabs.xyz Telegram: @dhruvm0