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 Texas

Gecko Robotics

Series C in 2022
Gecko Robotics, Inc. specializes in providing automated industrial inspection services aimed at protecting and maintaining critical infrastructure. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company has expanded its operations to locations in Austin and Houston, Texas; Seville, Spain; and Santiago, Chile. Gecko Robotics designs and operates advanced wall-climbing robots that utilize non-destructive testing technology to conduct inspections in the power, oil and gas, and pulp and paper industries. By automating these inspections, Gecko significantly reduces downtime and minimizes the risks associated with human involvement in hazardous environments. The company’s innovative approach allows industrial clients to perform regular inspections and gather crucial data much more efficiently than traditional methods, ultimately saving millions in maintenance costs.

Vest

Seed Round in 2022
Vest is an app-based brokerage that wants to provide Latin American savers with access to American assets that are differentiated by product, pricing, and content. Latin Americans are known for saving, but many prefer to do so in cash or in zero-interest savings accounts.

Royal

Series A in 2021
Royal is a platform where you can buy ownership in songs directly from your favorite artists and earn royalties with them.

AiMi

Series B in 2021
AiMi is a revolutionary breakthrough in generative music that will fundamentally change the way the artform is created, consumed and ultimately monetized. The platform delivers endless, immersive compositions that are crafted by artists, powered by artificial intelligence and molded by the mood of each individual user. For fans of electronic music, AiMi offers a new form of listening - one that is adaptable and ever-evolving. AiMi is free to use and free of ads. Six unique experiences are currently included with the app, ranging from meditation to high energy music and a broad spectrum of sounds, styles and genres in between.

Royal

Seed Round in 2021
Royal is a platform where you can buy ownership in songs directly from your favorite artists and earn royalties with them.

Workrise

Series E in 2021
Workrise, formerly known as RigUp Inc., is a technology company that operates a marketplace connecting independent contractors with companies in the energy sector. Founded in 2014 and based in Austin, Texas, the platform streamlines the hiring process by tracking workforce information, managing drug screenings, conducting background checks, and verifying certifications and insurance. It serves various sectors, including oil and gas, solar, and wind, and offers solutions such as workforce and vendor marketplaces, as well as managed field services. Additionally, Workrise provides digital tools for auditing and archiving operations, optimizing inventory, and enhancing operational efficiencies for energy companies across the United States.

Sunroom Rentals

Series A in 2021
Sunroom Rentals Texas, LLC is a technology company based in Austin, Texas, founded in 2018. The company offers an online application designed to simplify the process of finding and leasing rental properties, including condos, apartments, and houses. Users can easily locate available rentals, book tours, and submit applications directly through the platform. The service connects users with licensed agents and tour guides who facilitate property viewings during selected time slots. Additionally, the platform employs a backend dispatching application to notify agents when a tour is scheduled, enhancing the efficiency of the rental process.

Literati

Series B in 2021
Literati, Inc. is a subscription-based book club service tailored for children ages 0-12 in the United States. Founded in 2016 and based in Austin, Texas, the company offers a variety of themed book clubs, such as Club Neo, Club Sprout, Club Nova, and Club Sage. In addition to its subscription service, Literati provides gifting options, allowing customers to gift books or redeem them for others. The company's innovative approach includes a try-before-you-buy model and curated selections by notable figures, enhancing the reading experience for young audiences. With a focus on fostering a love for literature, Literati aims to engage children and families through thoughtfully curated reading materials.

Oscar Health

Venture Round in 2020
Oscar Health is a health insurance company that provides individual and family plans, Medicare Advantage, and small group products. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in New York, Oscar Health operates in several states, including New York, Texas, California, New Jersey, Ohio, and Tennessee. The company aims to enhance the healthcare experience by utilizing technology, design, and data to create user-friendly services. Its platform includes a software application that helps users find doctors based on location and ratings. Oscar Health primarily serves individuals and families who do not receive health insurance from their employers.

LeafLink

Series C in 2020
LeafLink, Inc. is a business-to-business e-commerce platform designed to facilitate wholesale activities within the cannabis industry. Established in 2015 and headquartered in New York, LeafLink connects cannabis brands and retailers, providing tools to streamline ordering and improve communication. The platform includes features such as a centralized sales engine, customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities, and order management tools, allowing users to manage their inventory, track orders, and enhance brand visibility effectively. With access available 24/7 across various devices, LeafLink serves over 1,200 brands and 3,500 retailers across 22 territories in the U.S. and Canada. The company also maintains offices in major cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Austin, and Toronto, reinforcing its role as the industry standard for wholesale management in the cannabis sector.

Gecko Robotics

Series B in 2019
Gecko Robotics, Inc. specializes in providing automated industrial inspection services aimed at protecting and maintaining critical infrastructure. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company has expanded its operations to locations in Austin and Houston, Texas; Seville, Spain; and Santiago, Chile. Gecko Robotics designs and operates advanced wall-climbing robots that utilize non-destructive testing technology to conduct inspections in the power, oil and gas, and pulp and paper industries. By automating these inspections, Gecko significantly reduces downtime and minimizes the risks associated with human involvement in hazardous environments. The company’s innovative approach allows industrial clients to perform regular inspections and gather crucial data much more efficiently than traditional methods, ultimately saving millions in maintenance costs.

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.

Literati

Series A in 2019
Literati, Inc. is a subscription-based book club service tailored for children ages 0-12 in the United States. Founded in 2016 and based in Austin, Texas, the company offers a variety of themed book clubs, such as Club Neo, Club Sprout, Club Nova, and Club Sage. In addition to its subscription service, Literati provides gifting options, allowing customers to gift books or redeem them for others. The company's innovative approach includes a try-before-you-buy model and curated selections by notable figures, enhancing the reading experience for young audiences. With a focus on fostering a love for literature, Literati aims to engage children and families through thoughtfully curated reading materials.

Workrise

Series D in 2019
Workrise, formerly known as RigUp Inc., is a technology company that operates a marketplace connecting independent contractors with companies in the energy sector. Founded in 2014 and based in Austin, Texas, the platform streamlines the hiring process by tracking workforce information, managing drug screenings, conducting background checks, and verifying certifications and insurance. It serves various sectors, including oil and gas, solar, and wind, and offers solutions such as workforce and vendor marketplaces, as well as managed field services. Additionally, Workrise provides digital tools for auditing and archiving operations, optimizing inventory, and enhancing operational efficiencies for energy companies across the United States.

Solugen

Series B in 2019
Solugen, Inc. is a specialty chemicals manufacturer based in Houston, Texas, founded in 2016. The company utilizes industrial biotechnology and green chemistry to produce a range of eco-friendly industrial chemicals. Its product offerings include BioPeroxide, a carbon-negative hydrogen peroxide; BioChelate, a biodegradable chelant; ScavSol, a multivalent metal sequestrant for energy applications; ScaleSol, a scale control alternative to phosphonates; and CorrSol, designed for corrosion and fouling control. Solugen focuses on creating safe, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly solutions, serving various sectors such as agriculture, cleaning, energy, and water. The company employs a patented method that leverages bio-inspired reactions and plant materials as low-cost feedstocks, enabling it to produce innovative products that are competitively priced in the market.

Workrise

Series C in 2019
Workrise, formerly known as RigUp Inc., is a technology company that operates a marketplace connecting independent contractors with companies in the energy sector. Founded in 2014 and based in Austin, Texas, the platform streamlines the hiring process by tracking workforce information, managing drug screenings, conducting background checks, and verifying certifications and insurance. It serves various sectors, including oil and gas, solar, and wind, and offers solutions such as workforce and vendor marketplaces, as well as managed field services. Additionally, Workrise provides digital tools for auditing and archiving operations, optimizing inventory, and enhancing operational efficiencies for energy companies across the United States.

Coder

Seed Round in 2018
Coder Technologies Inc. is an information technology company that specializes in developing cloud-based integrated development environments (IDEs) for coding on any device. The company's flagship product, Coder Enterprise, automates the configuration, security, and management of development environments, allowing developers to concentrate on product development. Coder Enterprise supports the use of existing development tools, CI/CD pipelines, source code management systems, and editors, thereby facilitating source control and simplifying updates. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Coder aims to provide open-source tools and an enterprise platform designed to enhance the efficiency and scalability of development processes.

Solugen

Series A in 2018
Solugen, Inc. is a specialty chemicals manufacturer based in Houston, Texas, founded in 2016. The company utilizes industrial biotechnology and green chemistry to produce a range of eco-friendly industrial chemicals. Its product offerings include BioPeroxide, a carbon-negative hydrogen peroxide; BioChelate, a biodegradable chelant; ScavSol, a multivalent metal sequestrant for energy applications; ScaleSol, a scale control alternative to phosphonates; and CorrSol, designed for corrosion and fouling control. Solugen focuses on creating safe, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly solutions, serving various sectors such as agriculture, cleaning, energy, and water. The company employs a patented method that leverages bio-inspired reactions and plant materials as low-cost feedstocks, enabling it to produce innovative products that are competitively priced in the market.

Gecko Robotics

Series A in 2018
Gecko Robotics, Inc. specializes in providing automated industrial inspection services aimed at protecting and maintaining critical infrastructure. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company has expanded its operations to locations in Austin and Houston, Texas; Seville, Spain; and Santiago, Chile. Gecko Robotics designs and operates advanced wall-climbing robots that utilize non-destructive testing technology to conduct inspections in the power, oil and gas, and pulp and paper industries. By automating these inspections, Gecko significantly reduces downtime and minimizes the risks associated with human involvement in hazardous environments. The company’s innovative approach allows industrial clients to perform regular inspections and gather crucial data much more efficiently than traditional methods, ultimately saving millions in maintenance costs.

Hearth

Seed Round in 2018
Shogun Enterprises Inc., doing business as Hearth Brokerage, operates as a financial services company which distributes credit and insurance. It provides brokerage and financial services related to home renovation insurance and consumer lending. The company offers personal loans, home equity loans, credit cards, and home improvement advice and financing. Its online marketplace enables users to compare rates on personal loans for financing roofs, bathrooms, kitchen remodeling, pool, basement, and HVAC improvement. The company also provides consumer lending and mortgage brokerage services. Shogun Enterprises Inc. was founded in 2016 and is based in San Francisco, California.

Oscar Health

Venture Round in 2018
Oscar Health is a health insurance company that provides individual and family plans, Medicare Advantage, and small group products. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in New York, Oscar Health operates in several states, including New York, Texas, California, New Jersey, Ohio, and Tennessee. The company aims to enhance the healthcare experience by utilizing technology, design, and data to create user-friendly services. Its platform includes a software application that helps users find doctors based on location and ratings. Oscar Health primarily serves individuals and families who do not receive health insurance from their employers.

ZenBusiness

Seed Round in 2018
ZenBusiness Inc. is a corporate entity creation and management company based in Austin, Texas, founded in 2015. It provides a technology-driven platform that simplifies the process of starting and managing a business. The company offers software as a service through a web portal and mobile application, enabling users to check their company's status, update registered agent information, and file documents with state authorities. ZenBusiness focuses on business identity theft protection, compliance, and management, utilizing automation to deliver fast and affordable services. Their personalized dashboard provides customers with easy access to essential tools and expert support, making it easier for entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses. The company's mission is to make business formation accessible and affordable for aspiring business owners across the nation.

Workrise

Series B in 2018
Workrise, formerly known as RigUp Inc., is a technology company that operates a marketplace connecting independent contractors with companies in the energy sector. Founded in 2014 and based in Austin, Texas, the platform streamlines the hiring process by tracking workforce information, managing drug screenings, conducting background checks, and verifying certifications and insurance. It serves various sectors, including oil and gas, solar, and wind, and offers solutions such as workforce and vendor marketplaces, as well as managed field services. Additionally, Workrise provides digital tools for auditing and archiving operations, optimizing inventory, and enhancing operational efficiencies for energy companies across the United States.

Sunroom Rentals

Seed Round in 2017
Sunroom Rentals Texas, LLC is a technology company based in Austin, Texas, founded in 2018. The company offers an online application designed to simplify the process of finding and leasing rental properties, including condos, apartments, and houses. Users can easily locate available rentals, book tours, and submit applications directly through the platform. The service connects users with licensed agents and tour guides who facilitate property viewings during selected time slots. Additionally, the platform employs a backend dispatching application to notify agents when a tour is scheduled, enhancing the efficiency of the rental process.

Workrise

Series A in 2016
Workrise, formerly known as RigUp Inc., is a technology company that operates a marketplace connecting independent contractors with companies in the energy sector. Founded in 2014 and based in Austin, Texas, the platform streamlines the hiring process by tracking workforce information, managing drug screenings, conducting background checks, and verifying certifications and insurance. It serves various sectors, including oil and gas, solar, and wind, and offers solutions such as workforce and vendor marketplaces, as well as managed field services. Additionally, Workrise provides digital tools for auditing and archiving operations, optimizing inventory, and enhancing operational efficiencies for energy companies across the United States.

Oscar Health

Private Equity Round in 2016
Oscar Health is a health insurance company that provides individual and family plans, Medicare Advantage, and small group products. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in New York, Oscar Health operates in several states, including New York, Texas, California, New Jersey, Ohio, and Tennessee. The company aims to enhance the healthcare experience by utilizing technology, design, and data to create user-friendly services. Its platform includes a software application that helps users find doctors based on location and ratings. Oscar Health primarily serves individuals and families who do not receive health insurance from their employers.

RunTitle

Series A in 2015
RunTitle, Inc. operates a comprehensive platform that serves as a database for mineral ownership information, primarily catering to the oil and gas sector. Established in 2011 and based in Austin, Texas, RunTitle provides essential services such as mineral ownership reports, chains of title, title opinions, and associated court documents. The platform functions as a mineral title marketplace, enabling oil and gas professionals to efficiently access and purchase accurate data needed for land acquisition decisions. By offering the ability to search for and acquire information at the individual tract level, as well as facilitating larger transactions across townships, counties, plays, or states, RunTitle significantly reduces both the cost and time required during the due diligence phases of oil and gas transactions. The accuracy and reliability of RunTitle's data make it a vital resource for professionals engaged in mineral acquisitions and deals.

Oscar Health

Series C in 2015
Oscar Health is a health insurance company that provides individual and family plans, Medicare Advantage, and small group products. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in New York, Oscar Health operates in several states, including New York, Texas, California, New Jersey, Ohio, and Tennessee. The company aims to enhance the healthcare experience by utilizing technology, design, and data to create user-friendly services. Its platform includes a software application that helps users find doctors based on location and ratings. Oscar Health primarily serves individuals and families who do not receive health insurance from their employers.

Workrise

Seed Round in 2014
Workrise, formerly known as RigUp Inc., is a technology company that operates a marketplace connecting independent contractors with companies in the energy sector. Founded in 2014 and based in Austin, Texas, the platform streamlines the hiring process by tracking workforce information, managing drug screenings, conducting background checks, and verifying certifications and insurance. It serves various sectors, including oil and gas, solar, and wind, and offers solutions such as workforce and vendor marketplaces, as well as managed field services. Additionally, Workrise provides digital tools for auditing and archiving operations, optimizing inventory, and enhancing operational efficiencies for energy companies across the United States.

Oscar Health

Series B in 2014
Oscar Health is a health insurance company that provides individual and family plans, Medicare Advantage, and small group products. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in New York, Oscar Health operates in several states, including New York, Texas, California, New Jersey, Ohio, and Tennessee. The company aims to enhance the healthcare experience by utilizing technology, design, and data to create user-friendly services. Its platform includes a software application that helps users find doctors based on location and ratings. Oscar Health primarily serves individuals and families who do not receive health insurance from their employers.

Oscar Health

Series A in 2014
Oscar Health is a health insurance company that provides individual and family plans, Medicare Advantage, and small group products. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in New York, Oscar Health operates in several states, including New York, Texas, California, New Jersey, Ohio, and Tennessee. The company aims to enhance the healthcare experience by utilizing technology, design, and data to create user-friendly services. Its platform includes a software application that helps users find doctors based on location and ratings. Oscar Health primarily serves individuals and families who do not receive health insurance from their employers.

Oscar Health

Series A in 2013
Oscar Health is a health insurance company that provides individual and family plans, Medicare Advantage, and small group products. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in New York, Oscar Health operates in several states, including New York, Texas, California, New Jersey, Ohio, and Tennessee. The company aims to enhance the healthcare experience by utilizing technology, design, and data to create user-friendly services. Its platform includes a software application that helps users find doctors based on location and ratings. Oscar Health primarily serves individuals and families who do not receive health insurance from their employers.

Outbox

Series A in 2013
Outbox provides a disruptive alternative to the old system of postal delivery. Their service worked by sending an Outbox employee to customers’ homes to pick up their mail three times a week. The items were electronically scanned into images and then made available for viewing via a secure website, on iPads and smartphones.

Able Lending

Series A in 2013
Able Lending, based in Austin, Texas, offers online lending services tailored to small businesses in the United States. Founded in 2011, the company provides various loan products, including the Able Start loan, which facilitates funding through support from friends and family; the Able Growth loan for businesses seeking to expand; and the Able Refi loan, designed to refinance high-interest debt and improve cash flow. Able Lending aims to be a cost-effective option for borrowers, with average savings of $31,000 on loans ranging from $25,000 to $1,000,000. The company emphasizes not only providing loans but also connecting entrepreneurs with community resources and expert advice to foster growth.

Portalarium

Venture Round in 2011
Portalarium was formed in September 2009 for the purpose of developing and publishing online social games, virtual worlds and related services and products. Portalarium is revolutionizing role-playing games for social media. Located in Austin, Texas, Portalarium is developing and publishing premium online games and virtual worlds for popular social networks and mobile platforms. Portalarium games maximize the fun and social play experience between friends, making it easy to find each other and play together regardless of where you are or what you are playing.

Quantcast

Series C in 2010
Quantcast Corporation is a digital advertising company that focuses on real-time advertising and audience measurement solutions for marketers and publishers both in the United States and internationally. The company provides Quantcast Measure, which delivers audience insights for web and mobile platforms, giving marketers and publishers valuable demographic, geographic, and interest-based data to better understand their audiences. Quantcast Advertise leverages adaptive modeling and machine learning to predict audience behavior, enabling precise advertisement delivery tailored to the consumer journey. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Quantcast also has offices in Manchester and Austin, Texas. With a workforce of over 600 employees, the company aims to harness big data to enhance digital experiences and improve how businesses comprehend their markets.

Gowalla

Series A in 2008
Gowalla is an augmented reality social game and a social guide that enables users to share and discover photos, experiences, and recommendations related to various locations and cities. Launched in 2009 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Gowalla features an award-winning mobile app and website that offer a growing collection of guides curated by both the community and renowned experts from organizations like Disney and National Geographic. The platform facilitates the exploration of beloved places and parks worldwide, making it easy for friends and families to connect and share their travel experiences. Backed by notable investors, Gowalla aims to enhance how users interact with their surroundings through social engagement.

Quantcast

Series B in 2008
Quantcast Corporation is a digital advertising company that focuses on real-time advertising and audience measurement solutions for marketers and publishers both in the United States and internationally. The company provides Quantcast Measure, which delivers audience insights for web and mobile platforms, giving marketers and publishers valuable demographic, geographic, and interest-based data to better understand their audiences. Quantcast Advertise leverages adaptive modeling and machine learning to predict audience behavior, enabling precise advertisement delivery tailored to the consumer journey. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Quantcast also has offices in Manchester and Austin, Texas. With a workforce of over 600 employees, the company aims to harness big data to enhance digital experiences and improve how businesses comprehend their markets.

Quantcast

Series A in 2007
Quantcast Corporation is a digital advertising company that focuses on real-time advertising and audience measurement solutions for marketers and publishers both in the United States and internationally. The company provides Quantcast Measure, which delivers audience insights for web and mobile platforms, giving marketers and publishers valuable demographic, geographic, and interest-based data to better understand their audiences. Quantcast Advertise leverages adaptive modeling and machine learning to predict audience behavior, enabling precise advertisement delivery tailored to the consumer journey. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Quantcast also has offices in Manchester and Austin, Texas. With a workforce of over 600 employees, the company aims to harness big data to enhance digital experiences and improve how businesses comprehend their markets.