Founders Fund

Founders Fund is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm established in 2005, specializing in investments across various stages, from seed to growth. The firm focuses on transformative technologies and seeks to address significant global challenges through its investments in sectors such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, aerospace, cybersecurity, and consumer internet. With over $2 billion in capital under management, Founders Fund has a history of backing notable companies, including SpaceX, Palantir, and Facebook, emphasizing a founder-friendly investment strategy that provides substantial support with minimal interference. The firm typically invests between $500,000 and $300 million, targeting innovative companies worldwide.

Delian Asparouhov

Partner

Erin Gleason

Vice President of Communications

Lauren Gross

Partner and COO

Ken Howery

Co- Founder and Partner

John Luttig

Principal

Amin Mirzadegan

Principal

Scott Nolan

Partner

Neil Ruthven

CFO

Michael Solana

vice_president

Trae Stephens

Partner

Napoleon Ta

Partner

Peter Thiel

Partner

Matias Van Thienen

Partner

Past deals in Google Glass

Cased

Seed Round in 2021
Cased is an early-stage startup focused on enhancing workplace safety through its innovative enterprise software platform. This platform offers essential visibility and control for businesses, enabling them to manage and safeguard sensitive information effectively. Cased's technology includes features such as search capabilities, GeoIP lookups, and measures for protecting personally identifiable information. By ensuring that organizations can monitor critical events and maintain compliance, Cased aims to empower companies to operate securely in a live application environment.

Ghost Autonomy

Funding Round in 2021
Ghost turns your car into a self-driving car. By adding a few small cameras and a compact computer to existing cars, Ghost will deliver Real Self-Driving on freeways, with a system so safe commuters can fully pay attention to something other than driving. Ghost was founded by John Hayes and Volkmar Uhlig in 2017. John previously founded Pure Storage (NYSE: PSTG), taking the company public in 2015. The company is backed by Mike Speiser at Sutter Hill Ventures, Keith Rabois at Founders Fund, and Vinod Khosla at Khosla Ventures and is headquartered in Mountain View, CA.

Ghost Autonomy

Series C in 2019
Ghost turns your car into a self-driving car. By adding a few small cameras and a compact computer to existing cars, Ghost will deliver Real Self-Driving on freeways, with a system so safe commuters can fully pay attention to something other than driving. Ghost was founded by John Hayes and Volkmar Uhlig in 2017. John previously founded Pure Storage (NYSE: PSTG), taking the company public in 2015. The company is backed by Mike Speiser at Sutter Hill Ventures, Keith Rabois at Founders Fund, and Vinod Khosla at Khosla Ventures and is headquartered in Mountain View, CA.

goTenna

Series C in 2019
goTenna, Inc. is a company based in Brooklyn, New York, that specializes in developing communications devices that allow users to send messages and share GPS locations using smartphones without relying on centralized connectivity. Its flagship product, the goTenna device, utilizes a cognitive digital radio and a mobile app to create its own signal and automatically connect with other devices within range. The goTenna mesh networking protocol, known as Aspen Grove™, enables low-cost, lightweight devices to provide long-range connectivity in off-grid situations, making it suitable for various applications, including public sector, enterprise, and IoT markets. This technology emerged as a solution following the disruptions caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, highlighting the need for resilient communication systems. goTenna's approach allows clients to send data and messages without depending on traditional internet or cellular services. The company has attracted investment from notable firms such as Founders Fund and Union Square Ventures.

Massless

Seed Round in 2019
Massless Limited specializes in the development of hardware and software that facilitate three-dimensional interactions within augmented and virtual reality environments. Founded in 2014 and based in Cambridge, United Kingdom, the company is best known for its flagship product, the Massless Pen, a digital stylus designed for both 2D and 3D applications. In 2D mode, it functions as a computer-vision based graphics tablet, optimizing desk space, while in a virtual reality setting, it offers precision and intuitive control for designers and engineers. Massless also develops tools for modeling and manipulating large 3D datasets in real time, providing features such as high pen precision, optical tracking, tactile feedback, and surface sensing.

Hubble Contacts

Venture Round in 2018
Hubble is the first brand of contact lenses sold directly to consumers through an e-commerce, subscription-only model.

Intermedia Labs

Venture Round in 2018
Intermedia Labs is a consumer-based video technology firm inventing the future of television.

Hubble Contacts

Series A in 2017
Hubble is the first brand of contact lenses sold directly to consumers through an e-commerce, subscription-only model.

goTenna

Series B in 2017
goTenna, Inc. is a company based in Brooklyn, New York, that specializes in developing communications devices that allow users to send messages and share GPS locations using smartphones without relying on centralized connectivity. Its flagship product, the goTenna device, utilizes a cognitive digital radio and a mobile app to create its own signal and automatically connect with other devices within range. The goTenna mesh networking protocol, known as Aspen Grove™, enables low-cost, lightweight devices to provide long-range connectivity in off-grid situations, making it suitable for various applications, including public sector, enterprise, and IoT markets. This technology emerged as a solution following the disruptions caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, highlighting the need for resilient communication systems. goTenna's approach allows clients to send data and messages without depending on traditional internet or cellular services. The company has attracted investment from notable firms such as Founders Fund and Union Square Ventures.

Hubble Contacts

Seed Round in 2016
Hubble is the first brand of contact lenses sold directly to consumers through an e-commerce, subscription-only model.