Ready to build at the frontier of AI and crypto alongside the RItual team? The Shrine is now open. Apply here.

The Vision

The convergence of AI and crypto represents one of the most promising frontiers in technology today. At Ritual, we've been exploring this intersection since our inception, convinced that it will not only transform existing applications but create entirely new categories that were previously unimaginable.

Ritual Chain stands apart as the ideal foundation for these breakthrough applications. Today, we're thrilled to introduce Ritual Shrine – our comprehensive program designed to empower visionary builders that want to create net-new applications on this frontier.

The Ritual Advantage

The blockchain landscape is crowded with platforms promising incremental improvements – better scalability, lower fees, or marginally enhanced developer experiences. Ritual Chain targets these as well, but also acknowledges that true innovation requires more than incremental change.

What's missing isn't more blockspace – it's revolutionary infrastructure that enables entirely new application categories. This is precisely where Ritual innovates and delivers:

• Expressive Computation, At Your Fingertips: Ritual is the premier L1 for enabling smart contracts to directly invoke AI models, TEEs, and other advanced computation forms without external oracles or bridges. This native integration opens possibilities that simply don't exist elsewhere.
• Design Space Expanded by 10x: By enshrining heterogeneous compute at the base layer without compromising execution efficiency, Ritual dramatically expands what's possible to build on-chain. This isn't just another stepwise improvement – it's a fundamental expansion of blockchain's capabilities.
• Improving the EVM: We've extended Ethereum compatibility with crucial improvements like account abstraction, in-demand EIPs, and even native scheduled transactions, which eliminate the need for external keepers and create more reliable systems for recurring operations. Our EVM++ enables smart contract engineers to progressively adopt advanced Ritual Chain functionality, with the same devex they already know and love.
• Future-Ready Architecture: Applications built on Ritual benefit from cutting-edge capabilities while maintaining compatibility with existing tools and standards, ensuring your project remains relevant as the ecosystem evolves.

Enter the Shrine

Ritual Shrine provides end-to-end support for teams building on Ritual, from initial concept through to market launch and beyond. Our comprehensive approach includes:

• Technical Innovation: We work alongside your team to design protocols and features that leverage Ritual's unique capabilities. Our engineers help you implement functionality that would be impossible on traditional blockchains, from on-chain AI and ML model integration to complex automated systems using scheduled transactions.
• Product Refinement: Drawing from our experience with successful protocols and platforms, we help shape your product vision into something truly compelling. We focus on identifying the unique value propositions enabled by Ritual's infrastructure and translating them into features users will love, both in crypto and in AI.
• Design Excellence: Great technology deserves great design. Our design team helps craft everything from your initial branding to production-ready interfaces, ensuring your application is not only powerful but intuitive and accessible to your target users.
• Strategic Connections: Building on our extensive network across crypto, AI, and traditional tech, we connect you with potential partners, investors, and mentors. We'll help craft your narrative, prepare fundraising materials, and make strategic introductions that accelerate your growth.
• Tailored GTM: We provide guidance on launch strategies specifically tailored for applications at the AI/crypto intersection. Our connections across DeFi, consumer applications, and enterprise help you find the right integration partners and early adopters.
• Team Building: Access our talent network to build a team capable of executing your vision. We help identify and help recruit for key roles that complement your existing strengths and accelerate your development timeline.
• Operational Efficiency: Skip the learning curve on operational challenges. We help streamline everything from vendor selection to introductions to counsel to security audits, allowing you to focus on building your core product.
• Community Integration: Join a growing ecosystem of builders exploring Ritual's expanded design space. Regular knowledge-sharing sessions and collaborative opportunities help accelerate everyone's progress and create network effects within the ecosystem.

Who You’ll Work With

The Ritual team brings together rare expertise spanning both crypto and AI domains. Our collective experience includes:

• Founding and scaling successful crypto protocols that have achieved significant adoption
• Building and investing in foundational blockchain infrastructure at top funds that powers today's ecosystem
• Pioneering research in applied AI/ML at leading labs and institutions
• Designing and implementing production ML systems at scale
• Creating intuitive interfaces for complex technical products

This unique combination of expertise allows us to guide builders through the uncharted territory where AI meets crypto, helping you navigate both technical challenges and strategic considerations. You can find more details about our Foundation team here and our Labs team here.

Program Structure

Ritual Shrine is designed to be flexible and responsive to the needs of builders:

• No Fixed Timeline: Apply whenever you're ready – we review applications on a rolling basis and provide support for as long as needed
• Stage-Agnostic: While ideal for early-stage projects, we welcome teams at any stage of development
• Quality-Focused: We prioritize working closely with teams building thoughtful, high-quality applications that showcase Ritual's unique capabilities

For Builders, By Builders

We're looking for intellectually curious, fast-learning builders with a passion for exploring new frontiers. Ideal candidates have:

• Genuine excitement about the possibilities at the AI/crypto intersection
• The ability to learn quickly and adapt to emerging paradigms
• Creative problem-solving skills and original thinking
• Commitment to building for the long term
• A vision for applications that leverage Ritual's unique capabilities

You don't need to be an expert in both AI and crypto – we're specifically designed to help bridge that gap.

Q: I understand crypto well but have limited AI experience. Is Shrine right for me?

A: Absolutely. Ritual's infrastructure makes AI capabilities accessible directly from smart contracts, allowing you to leverage your crypto expertise while exploring new AI-enabled possibilities. Our team includes members who've successfully bridged these domains and can guide your learning journey.

Q: I'm experienced in AI but new to crypto. Would I fit in Shrine?

A: You're exactly who we're looking for. Ritual provides a platform where your AI expertise can be applied to create on-chain applications with native intelligence. Our team will help you navigate the crypto landscape, translating your AI knowledge into blockchain-native implementations.

Q: When is the right time to apply?

A: The ideal time is when you have a vision for leveraging Ritual's unique capabilities. While a complete team or product isn't necessary, having a strong conceptual foundation and execution ability is important. We review applications continuously, so apply when you feel ready to embark on this journey.

Q: Are there in-person components?

A: While Shrine operates primarily as a remote program with global participation, we do organize periodic in-person events and workshops. These collaborative sessions bring together diverse perspectives and strengthen community bonds. Specific arrangements are discussed during the application process.

See You At the Shrine

Ritual Shrine represents more than just a program – it's an invitation to help define the future of intelligent on-chain applications. We're building a community of forward-thinking builders who see the potential at the intersection of AI and crypto and are ready to create applications that weren't possible before. More importantly, we’re big believers of actually building alongside our ecosystem. Over the coming days and weeks, we will be releasing a number of products we’ve prototyped ourselves. We’d love to work with ambitious teams to build these out. Stay tuned and keep an eye out on the Foundation X and the RFS section on the Shrine website.

We look forward to seeing what you’ll bring to the Shrine. Apply here.