Mended by code: building a connected world

Code’s Transformative Power: Connecting Industries and Crafting Healthier Futures

At Web Summit Lisbon 2025, Mr. Avery Pennarun, Co-founder & CEO of Tailscale, and Mr. Oisin Hanrahan, Founder & CEO of Keychain, discussed “Mended by Code.” Moderated by Ms. Daniela Espírito Santo, the session explored how their software solutions drive global connectivity. Mr. Pennarun described Tailscale as a mesh network restoring direct, secure connections, addressing the modern internet’s inefficient cloud-centric routing by fixing low-level network complexities.

Tailscale originated from a rapid solution for a Canadian bank needing two-factor authentication for legacy software, quickly scaling from a weekend project. Mr. Pennarun, a long-time open source advocate, credits this philosophy for shaping his career and driving Tailscale’s widespread adoption, particularly benefiting from the COVID-19 remote work surge. The platform now serves millions of users.

Mr. Hanrahan introduced Keychain, a software platform for the packaged goods industry. He highlighted the inefficient 18-24 month journey from product concept to retail shelf, which often forces companies to compromise product health by adding undesirable ingredients to de-risk. This protracted and costly process needs urgent transformation for healthier outcomes.

Keychain aims to revolutionize this by accelerating the innovation cycle. Their platform provides manufacturers with tools for search and discovery, AI-powered product creation, and an integrated operating system. This empowers brands and retailers to develop and launch healthier, more sustainable products efficiently. In under two years, Keychain has attracted 20,000 brands and retailers, managing $1.5 billion in monthly projects.

Leveraging his prior success with Handy, Mr. Hanrahan quickly identified strong market demand. Keychain recently secured $68 million in funding, with strategic investors including General Mills, Hershey, Richest Foods, and Portugal’s Continente Sonai via Bright Pixel. These partnerships offer crucial industry insights as Keychain expands its European go-to-market operations from Dublin.

When asked to redesign his industry, Mr. Pennarun critiqued the “overblown” reliance on the cloud, viewing it as an unnecessary “tax” on software development due to complex direct connections. He also cautioned against the security implications of rapidly adopting AI, predicting potential significant issues if prudence is not exercised in connecting these new technologies.

Mr. Hanrahan proposed streamlining the consumer packaged goods supply chain by eliminating redundant layers. He noted the numerous intermediaries between consumers and food producers. Reducing these abstractions would foster closer relationships between creators and buyers, leading to healthier products and a more transparent, connected, and beneficial societal food system.