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 Los Angeles, CA

The Boring Company

Series C in 2022
The Boring Company, founded by Elon Musk in late 2016, specializes in infrastructure and tunnel construction with a focus on developing efficient tunneling methods. The company aims to create an underground transportation network to alleviate surface traffic congestion and improve urban mobility. By leveraging innovative technologies and engineering techniques, The Boring Company seeks to transform the way people travel in densely populated areas.

Wonder Dynamics

Series A in 2021
Wonder Dynamics develops and combines AI technology with storytelling. The media-tech startup developing an AI production tool that would allow indie filmmakers to deliver blockbuster-level VFX on a fraction of the budget. Tye Sheridan and Nikola Todorovic co-founded the company in Los Angeles, California.

Daring Foods

Series C in 2021
Daring Foods Inc. is a startup based in Los Angeles, California, that specializes in producing plant-based chicken products. Founded in 2018 by Ross Mackay and Eliott Kessas, the company aims to offer a healthy alternative to traditional meat, catering to consumers who frequently include chicken in their diets. Daring Foods' offerings are vegan, free from dairy, eggs, palm oil, genetically modified organisms, hormones, and antibiotics, positioning them as a sustainable and nutritious choice. The company began retail operations by the end of 2019 and is headquartered in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Persona

Series C in 2021
Persona is a company that specializes in identity verification, helping businesses establish trust in online interactions. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in San Francisco, Persona provides a comprehensive suite of automated identity verification tools designed to address various needs, including age verification, fraud prevention, and account recovery. The system allows for the configuration and branding of custom-tailored workflows, making it adaptable to diverse use cases. By managing the complex processes of collecting, verifying, and handling sensitive personal information, Persona enables organizations to focus on their core product development while ensuring secure and efficient identity verification.

Bungalow

Series C in 2021
Bungalow is a residential real estate platform that offers flexible communal living solutions for early career professionals. Founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, the company transforms unused spaces into rentable rooms by signing long-term leases with homeowners. Bungalow provides fully furnished multi-bedroom homes in desirable neighborhoods across major U.S. cities, including Baltimore, New York City, and Los Angeles. Each home features private bedrooms, shared living spaces, and amenities such as Wi-Fi, utilities, and housekeeping services. In addition, Bungalow facilitates roommate matching to create harmonious living arrangements and organizes monthly community events to foster social connections among residents. The company aims to enhance the rental experience by providing high-quality homes and a supportive community for its members.

Wonder Dynamics

Seed Round in 2021
Wonder Dynamics develops and combines AI technology with storytelling. The media-tech startup developing an AI production tool that would allow indie filmmakers to deliver blockbuster-level VFX on a fraction of the budget. Tye Sheridan and Nikola Todorovic co-founded the company in Los Angeles, California.

Bungalow

Series B in 2019
Bungalow is a residential real estate platform that offers flexible communal living solutions for early career professionals. Founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, the company transforms unused spaces into rentable rooms by signing long-term leases with homeowners. Bungalow provides fully furnished multi-bedroom homes in desirable neighborhoods across major U.S. cities, including Baltimore, New York City, and Los Angeles. Each home features private bedrooms, shared living spaces, and amenities such as Wi-Fi, utilities, and housekeeping services. In addition, Bungalow facilitates roommate matching to create harmonious living arrangements and organizes monthly community events to foster social connections among residents. The company aims to enhance the rental experience by providing high-quality homes and a supportive community for its members.

Scanwell Health

Seed Round in 2019
Scanwell Health, Inc. is a healthcare company that specializes in designing and developing urine testing kits. The primary product, a urinary tract infection test kit, enables users to obtain clinical-grade results through their smartphones. In addition to test results, the kit connects users with an online doctor’s office for same-day treatment and prescription services. Established in 2018 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Scanwell Health has received FDA clearance for its urine testing application, underscoring its commitment to providing accessible and reliable healthcare solutions.

Tend

Seed Round in 2019
Tend Exchange LLC, founded in 2017 and based in El Segundo, California, specializes in providing software solutions for event staffing through a digital marketplace. This platform connects event hosts with a curated network of professionals known as Tenders, who offer various hospitality staffing services, including bartending. Users can select staff based on their profiles, experience, and ratings, enabling them to make informed choices for future events. Tend aims to streamline the staffing process for both businesses and individuals in the hospitality industry.

Bev

Seed Round in 2019
Bev is a mission-driven brand, Bev is redefining the landscape within male dominated spaces.

Argent

Venture Round in 2019
Argent Mill, Inc. is an online retailer specializing in women's clothing and apparel, with a particular focus on workwear. Founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, California, the company offers a diverse range of products, including blazers, tops, pants, jumpsuits, outerwear, skirts, dresses, sweaters, and accessories. Argent designs its offerings with an emphasis on technical suiting and styling, catering to the modern woman's professional wardrobe needs.

Ritual

Series B in 2019
Based in sunny Los Angeles, Ritual is a direct-to-consumer health brand that believes it’s crucial to know not just what you’re putting into your body, but why you need it in the first place. We’re transparent about our ingredients, where they're sourced from, and have spent years conducting extensive research behind each of the premium nutrient forms we use. Our products are simple, effective, and backed by science. Our mission is simple: to empower people to feel their best by turning healthy habits into a ritual. We have built a team of curious skeptics, world-class scientists, unconventional artists, expert marketers and analytical strategists that are on a mission to reinvent an entire industry. We’re well-funded, growing quickly, and committed to our mission. If you’re a team player who refuses to settle for the status quo, we want you. Welcome to your new daily Ritual.

Toonstar

Seed Round in 2018
Toonstar Inc. develops a software application that lets anyone livestream their own cartoon shows. The company's application enables users to become a cartoon character via facial recognition technology and then livestream and record videos to their fans from anywhere. The company produces snackable and interactive content and experiences for mobile audiences. Toonstar Inc. was founded in 2014 and is based in Los Angeles, California.

Cloud9

Series B in 2018
Cloud9 Esports, Inc. operates as an eSports team organization, which organizes matches for e-games. It also sells pullover hoodies, jersey, jackets, hoodies, track jackets, long sleeve T-shirts, T-shirts, plushies, tank tops, V-neck clothing, shorts, hats, beanies, posters, mousepads, keychains, sunglasses, bracelets, wristband sets, pins, stickers, and gift cards online. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Santa Monica, California.

Bungalow

Series A in 2018
Bungalow is a residential real estate platform that offers flexible communal living solutions for early career professionals. Founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, the company transforms unused spaces into rentable rooms by signing long-term leases with homeowners. Bungalow provides fully furnished multi-bedroom homes in desirable neighborhoods across major U.S. cities, including Baltimore, New York City, and Los Angeles. Each home features private bedrooms, shared living spaces, and amenities such as Wi-Fi, utilities, and housekeeping services. In addition, Bungalow facilitates roommate matching to create harmonious living arrangements and organizes monthly community events to foster social connections among residents. The company aims to enhance the rental experience by providing high-quality homes and a supportive community for its members.

Cloud9

Series A in 2017
Cloud9 Esports, Inc. operates as an eSports team organization, which organizes matches for e-games. It also sells pullover hoodies, jersey, jackets, hoodies, track jackets, long sleeve T-shirts, T-shirts, plushies, tank tops, V-neck clothing, shorts, hats, beanies, posters, mousepads, keychains, sunglasses, bracelets, wristband sets, pins, stickers, and gift cards online. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in Santa Monica, California.

Ritual

Series A in 2017
Based in sunny Los Angeles, Ritual is a direct-to-consumer health brand that believes it’s crucial to know not just what you’re putting into your body, but why you need it in the first place. We’re transparent about our ingredients, where they're sourced from, and have spent years conducting extensive research behind each of the premium nutrient forms we use. Our products are simple, effective, and backed by science. Our mission is simple: to empower people to feel their best by turning healthy habits into a ritual. We have built a team of curious skeptics, world-class scientists, unconventional artists, expert marketers and analytical strategists that are on a mission to reinvent an entire industry. We’re well-funded, growing quickly, and committed to our mission. If you’re a team player who refuses to settle for the status quo, we want you. Welcome to your new daily Ritual.

Brud

Seed Round in 2017
Brud Inc. is a transmedia studio based in Los Angeles that specializes in the development of digital and robotic characters for social platforms. Founded in 2014, the company focuses on creating character-driven story worlds, leveraging expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Brud is known for its work in producing virtual influencers, which are digital personas that engage audiences across various media channels. The company's innovative approach combines technology and storytelling, allowing for the creation of captivating narratives that resonate with contemporary audiences.

IVY

Venture Round in 2016
IVY is poised to be the global 21st century version of a top University, with a decentralized lifelong member-base across 50 hub cities. We will disrupt the $4 trillion global education market as the leading platform mobilizing passionate individuals towards entrepreneurship, arts, social impact, policy, and wellness. The average IVY member is an influential high income millennial who is 31 years old. Our vision is to establish a lifelong membership spanning from adolescence to late adulthood. IVY has more than 20,000 members across 7 US cities and is hosting 1,000+ gatherings with foremost thought-leaders, cultural institutions, venues, and brands in 2017. It is the number one community that mobilizes the next generation towards entrepreneurship, art, philanthropy, policy and wellness. Founded by Harvard Business School classmates Beri Meric and Philipp Triebel, IVY is currently based across New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago and Miami, with upcoming international expansions scheduled for London, Hong Kong, and Dubai.

Service

Seed Round in 2015
Service gets you paid when your flight is delayed or cancelled.

Tribogenics

Series B in 2015
Founded in 2011, Tribogenics is developing low-cost, miniature x-ray solutions for applications in mining, industrial, military, medical imaging, and many other industries. Tribogenics employs technology developed at UCLA by leading scientists and is based in Los Angeles, California.

Postmates

Series C in 2015
Postmates is an on-demand food delivery. The platform gives customers access to the most selection of merchants in the US with more than 600,000 restaurants and retailers available for delivery and pickup, many of which are exclusive to Postmates. The market leader in Los Angeles and markets across the southwest, Postmates covers 80% of US households, across all 50 states. Customers can get free delivery on all merchants by joining Postmates Unlimited, the industry's first subscription service.

Postmates

Series A in 2013
Postmates is an on-demand food delivery. The platform gives customers access to the most selection of merchants in the US with more than 600,000 restaurants and retailers available for delivery and pickup, many of which are exclusive to Postmates. The market leader in Los Angeles and markets across the southwest, Postmates covers 80% of US households, across all 50 states. Customers can get free delivery on all merchants by joining Postmates Unlimited, the industry's first subscription service.

theAudience

Series A in 2012
theAudience, Inc. is a multi-channel publisher based in Los Angeles, California, specializing in social and digital content. Founded in 2011, the company provides a range of services, including social consulting, influencer activation, content creation, and media buying. Its BackStage Publishing Platform streamlines the social publishing process and offers analytics to manage content at scale. theAudience aims to connect brands, entertainment properties, and social influencers with consumers by syndicating engaging content globally. The company focuses on creating meaningful interactions that resonate with audiences, representing the interests and conversations of a diverse consumer base. As of August 2015, it operates as a subsidiary of Al Ahli Holding Group.

Tribogenics

Series A in 2012
Founded in 2011, Tribogenics is developing low-cost, miniature x-ray solutions for applications in mining, industrial, military, medical imaging, and many other industries. Tribogenics employs technology developed at UCLA by leading scientists and is based in Los Angeles, California.

Postmates

Seed Round in 2012
Postmates is an on-demand food delivery. The platform gives customers access to the most selection of merchants in the US with more than 600,000 restaurants and retailers available for delivery and pickup, many of which are exclusive to Postmates. The market leader in Los Angeles and markets across the southwest, Postmates covers 80% of US households, across all 50 states. Customers can get free delivery on all merchants by joining Postmates Unlimited, the industry's first subscription service.