Project summary

Zsub is open-source infrastructure for self-sovereign identity, secure access, and operational security. Seed-based, self-custodial, distributed, interoperable identity and connectivity. Imagine Tailscale without third-party trust, and Okta made unnecessary because you are your own identity. Networks, permissions, devices, and roles configure themselves from genuine self-custodial identity. Interoperates with SSH, Git, Bitcoin, Nostr, Minisign and more. Built-in password manager and secure chat.

- Website: https://zsubmesh.net/

- Essay: https://zsubmesh.net/essays/johnny-can.html

- Whitepaper: https://zsubmesh.net/whitepapers/zsub-sscm-overview.pdf

- Roadmap: https://zsubmesh.net/whitepapers/zsub-roadmap.pdf

- Runtime: https://codeberg.org/Zsub/Rebased

- Core database: https://codeberg.org/Zsub/StarfortDB

- Downloads: https://zsubmesh.net/downloads/

- Tailscale comparison: https://zsubmesh.net/zsub-vs-tailscale.html

- Case studies: https://zsubmesh.net/zsub-case-studies.html

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

The goal is to bring Zsub from working core components to production pilot validation.

Zsub already has a protocol specification, secure runtime, key database, and offline-first logical cryptographic mesh. The remaining work is to finish the connectivity layer, harden the implementation, build the first usable applications, complete third-party security review, and deploy with early pilot users.

Over the next year, the work breaks into four rough phases:

1. Finish network code and hardening (fuzzing and simulator).

2. Mobile and desktop apps, begin formal audit.

3. First pilots, complete and publish audit.

4. Final production readiness and first deployments.

The practical objective is to prove that Zsub can replace credential-based mesh networks and access systems with self-sovereign cryptography that is more secure and effortless to use.

How will this funding be used?

Funds will be used to bridge Zsub from working core components to pilot-ready infrastructure.

For a $100,000 grant, the approximate use of funds is:

- $55,000 — living expenses for 12 months, allowing full-time work through pilot readiness.

- $20,000 — third-party cryptographic/security audit.

- $10,000 — hardware, test devices, Yubikeys, hosting, and infrastructure.

- $8,000 — pilot deployment travel, customer discovery, and on-site support.

- $4,000 — legal work for the Zsub Foundation, IP, and pilot agreements.

- $3,000 — operating contingency.

The team is already operating lean and will continue. The grant primarily buys us food, gas, independent security review, and the minimum infrastructure needed to turn the current implementation into production pilot validation.

Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?

Zsub is currently a team of five. I am the point of contact and principal architect/implementer. I have been programming for 40 years and have spent roughly 25 years building software in startups, including secure systems, distributed databases, high-performance analytics, machine learning, developer tools, and operational infrastructure.

The rest of the team contributes engineering, product, testing, deployment, and organizational support. We have already delivered the core Zsub work: protocol specification, secure runtime, key database, and offline-first logical cryptographic mesh. The code is open source and publicly available.

Our track record on this specific project is the strongest evidence. See our whitepapers, code, and downloads page. Apps coming soon. We have a strong pipeline of pilots.

What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails?

I have been carrying this problem for more than twenty years and building Zsub for over two. I will keep working on it until it has succeeded, my thesis has been proven wrong or I die trying.

The worst outcome is that the promise of strong cryptography is never realized. We keep trying to secure the world with coercion, instead of math and physics. The cybersecurity crisis and surveillance dystopia never end.

How much money have you raised in the last 12 months, and from where?

We have been primarily self-funded. We have recently raised $20,000 from family and friends. We have not yet raised institutional funding. Zsub has been built primarily through founder time and a small team of dedicated contributors.