The Pi Network was founded by **Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis** and **Dr. Chengdiao Fan**, both PhDs from Stanford University (USA). Their complementary backgrounds in computer science and social sciences form the basis of the project, which seeks to integrate blockchain and accessibility.

**1. Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis**

- **Position**: Technology Director of Pi Network.

- **Education**: PhD in Computer Science from Stanford, focusing on distributed systems and human-computer interaction.

**Experience**:

- Taught the first decentralized applications course (CS359B) at Stanford (2018).

- Developed pioneering frameworks for *smart contracts* and social applications with over 20 million users.

- Created the technical foundation of the Pi Network, including the Stellar Consensus Protocol.

### **2. Dr. Chengdiao Fan**

- **Position**: Product Director of Pi Network.

- **Education**: PhD in Anthropological Sciences from Stanford, with research in social computing and the impact of technology on human behavior.

- **Contributions**:

- Applied principles of human collaboration to create an inclusive digital ecosystem at Pi Network.

- Designed mobile mining mechanisms and rewards based on community contributions.

**Vision and Goals**

Both founders sought to address barriers to access traditional cryptocurrencies, such as energy-intensive mining. The Pi Network was officially launched on **March 14, 2019** (Pi Day), with the following goals:

- **Democratization**: Allow free mining via mobile, without specialized hardware.

- **Practical utility**: Develop a Web3 ecosystem with real use cases, such as interoperable transactions and tools for developers.

- **Decentralized governance**: Implement KYC verification to prevent bots and ensure transparency.

**Current Challenges**

Although the network has more than **60 million users**, it faces criticism due to the unestablished value of Pi Coin and delays in the open *mainnet*, expected on **February 20, 2025**. The lack of listing on exchanges like Binance also creates uncertainties.

For more details about the project's journey and updates, consult the [cited sources](https://minepi.com/about) or [specialized articles](https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/pi-coin-launch-who-are-the-people-behind-the-decentralised-crypto-101740046921290.html).