FundVerified
Founders Fund
Multi-stage VC known for early bets on SpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril.
Founders Fund is a multi-stage venture capital firm founded in 2005 by Peter Thiel, Ken Howery, and Luke Nosek. It manages approximately $17 billion and is one of the most influential investors in defense technology, having backed SpaceX, Palantir, Anduril, and other frontier-tech companies. The firm operates a famous contrarian thesis focused on hard technology problems and national security.
Overview
- Firm
- Founders Fund Management LLC
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA
- Founded
- 2005
- AUM
- $20B+
- Avg. check
- $500K–$150M
- Stages
- Seed, Series A, Series B, Growth
- Thesis
- Transformative technology companies in aerospace, AI, defense, and deep tech.
- X / Twitter
- x.com/foundersfund
- Website
- foundersfund.com/
Portfolio companies14
- CompanyAnduril IndustriesAutonomy-first defense products company building hardware and the Lattice software platform.
- CompanyPalantir TechnologiesData integration and analytics software for defense, intelligence, and commercial customers.
- CompanySpaceXSpace launch, satellite communications, and defense technology company.
- CompanyHermeusHigh-speed and hypersonic aircraft development for defense and national security.
- CompanyFractileUK AI-inference-chip startup (SRAM-based, DRAM-less architecture) backed by Founders Fund and the NATO Innovation Fund.
- CompanyOnodrimAmsterdam-based defense industrial platform helping established European defense/industrial producers scale manufacturing capacity, multi-domain sensing, and networked systems.
- CompanyNominalSoftware platform for testing, validating, and monitoring complex hardware systems used in aerospace and defense.
- CompanyValinor EnterprisesUS defense holding company centralizing back-office infrastructure for decentralized product companies.
- CompanyVarda Space IndustriesManufactures pharmaceuticals in microgravity aboard reentry-capable spacecraft.
- CompanyImpulse SpaceIn-space transportation company building orbital transfer vehicles.
- CompanyRadiant IndustriesPortable microreactor (Kaleidos) developer for defense installations and data centers.
- CompanyAmcaAerospace/defense component supplier that acquires and modernizes legacy manufacturers.
- CompanyGecko RoboticsRobotic infrastructure inspection company (Cantilever AI platform), expanding into defense.
- CompanyStark DefenceBerlin-based loitering munition and strike drone manufacturer for European and NATO forces.
Partners4
- FounderNapoleon TaFounders Fund partner leading the growth-investing practice.
- FounderScott NolanFounders Fund partner and early SpaceX propulsion engineer; CEO of General Matter.
- FounderDelian AsparouhovFounders Fund partner and co-founder/president of in-space manufacturing company Varda Space Industries.
- FounderTrae StephensCo-Founder & Executive Chairman of Anduril Industries; Founders Fund partner.
Frequently asked
- What is Founders Fund?
- Transformative technology companies in aerospace, AI, defense, and deep tech.
- How much does Founders Fund manage?
- Founders Fund manages $20B+ in assets, and was founded in 2005.
- What stages does Founders Fund invest at?
- Founders Fund invests at Seed, Series A, Series B, Growth, with typical checks of $500K–$150M.
Sources & citations5
5 sources behind every claim
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