Proton
Switzerland, CH · 2 known investors
Proton develops free and open-source privacy and security software including encrypted email, contacts, and VPN services. The company uses its technology and resources to defend digital freedom, internet access, and privacy rights globally, particularly for journalists, activists, and people living under authoritarian regimes.
Also known as Proton AG · Proton Mail · Proton SA · Proton Technologies AG · ProtonMail
Founders & leadership
Board
Investors · 2
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 30
launches, deals, and filingsEncrypted online spreadsheets added to the Proton Drive/Docs suite.
End-to-end encrypted video calling application built using LiveKit; opened for public access on 31 March 2026.
AI chatbot storing chat logs in encrypted storage; Proton states user data is not used to train models. Lumo searches the web via privacy-friendly search engines and is operated from German and Norwegian data centres.
Document editing within Proton Drive, built in collaboration with the Standard Notes team.
Founder Andy Yen, co-founder Jason Stockman, and first employee Dingchao Lu donated Proton shares to endow the non-profit Proton Foundation, making it the largest voting shareholder. Proton pledged 1% of net revenues to the foundation when conditions allow; the foundation blocks changes of control and funds grant-making and mission-aligned investments.
Acquisition of the end-to-end encrypted note-taking application Standard Notes, announced 10 April 2024.
Desktop client released for paying subscribers, with a Linux version in beta; also provides access to Proton Calendar.
Self-custodial, open-source Bitcoin wallet with end-to-end encryption.
Cloud-based end-to-end encrypted password manager; made available to all Proton users as of 28 June 2023.
Considered a major improvement; allows use of Proton Mail with third-party clients on Windows, macOS, or Linux without losing end-to-end encryption.
End-to-end encrypted cloud storage launched after beta testing since 2020.
Acquisition of the Paris-based email aliasing startup SimpleLogin; functionality was integrated into Proton Mail and Proton Pass while continuing as a standalone service.
Users gained the ability to create @proton.me addresses alongside the previous default @protonmail.com.
European security auditing company Securitum audited Proton Mail's security and cryptographic architecture, publicly publishing results and reporting no major issues or vulnerabilities.
Proton confirmed that shares held by Charles Rivers Ventures had been transferred to FONGIT.
Proton announced Proton VPN would be open source, described as the first VPN service to do so, alongside an independent security audit.
Made Proton Mail interoperable with other PGP clients.
Desktop application bringing end-to-end encryption to IMAP/SMTP clients such as Outlook, Thunderbird, and Apple Mail on Windows and macOS.
Zero-access encrypted contacts manager using digital signatures to verify contact data integrity.
VPN service launched after over a year of crowdfunding, with a no-logging policy and DNS/WebRTC IP leak prevention.
Version 3.0 brought a new web client interface, public launch of iOS and Android beta apps, and removal of the signup waiting list.
Business tier aimed at SMEs, nonprofits, and government agencies, with centralized admin panels, encrypted email for entire domains, and dedicated support.
Version 2.0 shipped a rewritten web interface codebase and open-source front-end clients.
Proton SA listed in the Top 100 Swiss Startup Award in 2015, and again in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Proton joined the RIPE NCC to gain more direct control over surrounding internet infrastructure.
Proton Mail launched as an end-to-end encrypted email service in public beta after a year of crowdfunding; beta signups were restricted after three days due to demand and an invite-only waiting list was introduced.
Proton Mail raised US$550,377 from 10,576 donors on Indiegogo in summer 2014 against a $100,000 goal. During the campaign PayPal froze the account, blocking withdrawal of US$251,721 in donations, citing doubts about the legality of encryption; restrictions were lifted the following day.
$550.4K source ↗
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
In the news
▸Research sources · 8
primary sources listed
- Protonproton.me · web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Proton do?
- Proton develops free and open-source privacy and security software including encrypted email, contacts, and VPN services. The company uses its technology and resources to defend digital freedom, internet access, and privacy rights globally, particularly for journalists, activists, and people living under authoritarian regimes.
- Who founded Proton?
- Proton was founded by Andy Yen.
- Who are Proton's investors?
- Proton's investors include CRV (Charles River Ventures), Felicis Ventures.
- Where is Proton headquartered?
- Proton is headquartered in Switzerland, CH.