Founders Fund

Founders Fund, established in 2005 and headquartered in San Francisco, is a venture capital firm that invests across various stages and sectors globally. It focuses on companies developing transformative technologies, with a particular interest in science and engineering ventures. These include consumer internet, biotechnology, aerospace and transportation, energy, artificial intelligence, and health. The firm's investment size ranges from $500,000 to $300 million, providing maximum support with minimum interference to its portfolio companies. Founders Fund is known for its founder-friendly approach and has been an early backer of prominent companies like SpaceX, Palantir, Facebook, and Airbnb.

Leigh Marie Braswell

Principal

Lauren Gross

Partner and COO

Bridget Harris

Associate

Joey Krug

Partner

Sean Liu

Partner

Jeffrey Lonsdale

Managing Director, Asia

John Luttig

Principal

Amin Mirzadegan

Principal

Luke Nosek

Managing Partner

Stephen Oskoui

Venture Partner

Neil Ruthven

CFO

Eric Scott

Principal

Brian Singerman

Partner

Matias Van Thienen

Principal

Past deals in Texas

Literati

Venture Round in 2024
Literati, Inc. is a book subscription service based in Del Valle, Texas, that caters to children ages 0-9 in the United States. Founded in 2016, the company offers various children's book clubs, including Club Neo, Club Sprout, Club Nova, and Club Sage, each designed to align with developmental milestones. In addition to delivering curated book selections, Literati provides personalized bookplates and features artwork by renowned illustrators. The service also includes a gifting option for books and a platform that allows readers to engage in discussions about books and authors. Through this platform, parents can receive customized book packages, while users gain access to exclusive content, author interviews, and celebrity conversations, fostering a vibrant reading community.

Gecko Robotics

Series C in 2023
Gecko Robotics, Inc. specializes in industrial inspection services, focusing on the maintenance and protection of critical infrastructure through advanced robotic technologies. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company operates additional locations in Austin and Houston, Texas, as well as internationally in Seville, Spain, and Santiago, Chile. Gecko Robotics employs wall-climbing robots equipped with ultrasound transducers and high-definition cameras to conduct non-destructive testing in various industries, including power, oil and gas, and pulp and paper. By integrating these robotic solutions with an AI-driven data platform, Gecko provides clients with real-time insights into the health of their assets, enabling better decision-making and enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

Gecko Robotics

Series C in 2022
Gecko Robotics, Inc. specializes in industrial inspection services, focusing on the maintenance and protection of critical infrastructure through advanced robotic technologies. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company operates additional locations in Austin and Houston, Texas, as well as internationally in Seville, Spain, and Santiago, Chile. Gecko Robotics employs wall-climbing robots equipped with ultrasound transducers and high-definition cameras to conduct non-destructive testing in various industries, including power, oil and gas, and pulp and paper. By integrating these robotic solutions with an AI-driven data platform, Gecko provides clients with real-time insights into the health of their assets, enabling better decision-making and enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

Coco

Series A in 2021
Coco is a last-mile delivery service that utilizes human-operated sidewalk robots to transport goods from merchants to customers. Since its launch in February 2020, the company has established a presence in cities such as Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Austin, and Houston, serving thousands of customers weekly. Coco partners with both national restaurant brands, like SBE (Umami Burger), and local establishments, such as Bangkok West Thai and San Pedro Brewing Company, to enhance delivery efficiency. The service aims to reduce costs for merchant clients while ensuring consistent and reliable delivery quality, preserving the condition of food, and streamlining kitchen operations. By connecting local businesses with customers, Coco contributes to the development of supportive community-based delivery solutions.

Literati

Series B in 2021
Literati, Inc. is a book subscription service based in Del Valle, Texas, that caters to children ages 0-9 in the United States. Founded in 2016, the company offers various children's book clubs, including Club Neo, Club Sprout, Club Nova, and Club Sage, each designed to align with developmental milestones. In addition to delivering curated book selections, Literati provides personalized bookplates and features artwork by renowned illustrators. The service also includes a gifting option for books and a platform that allows readers to engage in discussions about books and authors. Through this platform, parents can receive customized book packages, while users gain access to exclusive content, author interviews, and celebrity conversations, fostering a vibrant reading community.

Oscar Health

Venture Round in 2020
Oscar Health is a health insurance company based in New York, founded in 2012 by Joshua Kushner, Kevin Nazemi, and Mario Schlosser. It specializes in offering individual and family health insurance plans, Medicare Advantage programs for seniors, and small group products. Oscar Health aims to enhance the healthcare experience by leveraging technology, design, and data to make services more accessible and user-friendly. The company primarily serves individuals, couples, and families who do not receive employer-sponsored health insurance in select states, including New York, New Jersey, California, and Texas. In addition to traditional insurance offerings, Oscar provides virtual care, doctor support, and appointment scheduling, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to healthcare management.

LeafLink

Series C in 2020
LeafLink operates a wholesale management platform designed to connect cannabis brands and retailers, facilitating streamlined ordering processes, simplified communication, and reduced administrative tasks. The company's platform offers tools for driving brand awareness, boosting sales, tracking orders, engaging with customers, and managing logistics partners. LeafLink serves over 1,200 brands and 3,500 retailers across 22 territories in the US and Canada. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in New York, LeafLink also maintains offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Austin, and Toronto.

Solugen

Series B in 2020
Solugen, Inc. is a specialty chemicals company based in Houston, Texas, that focuses on producing industrial chemicals through industrial biotechnology and green chemistry. Founded in 2016, Solugen develops a range of environmentally friendly products, including BioPeroxide, a carbon-negative hydrogen peroxide, and BioChelate, a biodegradable chelant. The company also offers ScavSol, a multivalent metal sequestrant for energy applications; ScaleSol, an alternative to phosphonates for scale control; and CorrSol, a corrosion and fouling control product. By utilizing fermentation and enzymatic technology to convert plant sugars into chemicals, Solugen aims to replace petroleum-based products with plant-derived alternatives. Its innovative solutions are designed to benefit various industries, including agriculture, cleaning, energy, and water, while also addressing critical issues such as clean water, sustainable materials, and healthier personal care products.

Modumetal

Venture Round in 2019
Modumetal, Inc. is a manufacturer and developer of nano laminated metals and materials, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with an additional sales office in The Woodlands, Texas. The company specializes in producing industrial-scale nanolaminated alloys that are stronger and lighter than steel, as well as more corrosion-resistant and durable than traditional metals. By utilizing electricity instead of heat in their manufacturing process, Modumetal reduces environmental impact while delivering high-performance solutions. Their products, which include customized alloys, coatings, fasteners, pumps, valves, and production tubulars, cater to various industries, including energy, aerospace, automotive, defense, infrastructure, and construction. Modumetal's technology enables these sectors to enhance performance and achieve cost-effective alternatives to conventional materials.

Gecko Robotics

Series B in 2019
Gecko Robotics, Inc. specializes in industrial inspection services, focusing on the maintenance and protection of critical infrastructure through advanced robotic technologies. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company operates additional locations in Austin and Houston, Texas, as well as internationally in Seville, Spain, and Santiago, Chile. Gecko Robotics employs wall-climbing robots equipped with ultrasound transducers and high-definition cameras to conduct non-destructive testing in various industries, including power, oil and gas, and pulp and paper. By integrating these robotic solutions with an AI-driven data platform, Gecko provides clients with real-time insights into the health of their assets, enabling better decision-making and enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

Literati

Series A in 2019
Literati, Inc. is a book subscription service based in Del Valle, Texas, that caters to children ages 0-9 in the United States. Founded in 2016, the company offers various children's book clubs, including Club Neo, Club Sprout, Club Nova, and Club Sage, each designed to align with developmental milestones. In addition to delivering curated book selections, Literati provides personalized bookplates and features artwork by renowned illustrators. The service also includes a gifting option for books and a platform that allows readers to engage in discussions about books and authors. Through this platform, parents can receive customized book packages, while users gain access to exclusive content, author interviews, and celebrity conversations, fostering a vibrant reading community.

Solugen

Series B in 2019
Solugen, Inc. is a specialty chemicals company based in Houston, Texas, that focuses on producing industrial chemicals through industrial biotechnology and green chemistry. Founded in 2016, Solugen develops a range of environmentally friendly products, including BioPeroxide, a carbon-negative hydrogen peroxide, and BioChelate, a biodegradable chelant. The company also offers ScavSol, a multivalent metal sequestrant for energy applications; ScaleSol, an alternative to phosphonates for scale control; and CorrSol, a corrosion and fouling control product. By utilizing fermentation and enzymatic technology to convert plant sugars into chemicals, Solugen aims to replace petroleum-based products with plant-derived alternatives. Its innovative solutions are designed to benefit various industries, including agriculture, cleaning, energy, and water, while also addressing critical issues such as clean water, sustainable materials, and healthier personal care products.

Modumetal

Venture Round in 2019
Modumetal, Inc. is a manufacturer and developer of nano laminated metals and materials, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with an additional sales office in The Woodlands, Texas. The company specializes in producing industrial-scale nanolaminated alloys that are stronger and lighter than steel, as well as more corrosion-resistant and durable than traditional metals. By utilizing electricity instead of heat in their manufacturing process, Modumetal reduces environmental impact while delivering high-performance solutions. Their products, which include customized alloys, coatings, fasteners, pumps, valves, and production tubulars, cater to various industries, including energy, aerospace, automotive, defense, infrastructure, and construction. Modumetal's technology enables these sectors to enhance performance and achieve cost-effective alternatives to conventional materials.

Coder

Seed Round in 2018
Coder is an information technology company that provides open-source tools and an enterprise platform that makes it easier to configure, secure and scale development environments. The company aims to build the best products available for developers. It was founded in 2017 and based in Austin, Texas.

Solugen

Series A in 2018
Solugen, Inc. is a specialty chemicals company based in Houston, Texas, that focuses on producing industrial chemicals through industrial biotechnology and green chemistry. Founded in 2016, Solugen develops a range of environmentally friendly products, including BioPeroxide, a carbon-negative hydrogen peroxide, and BioChelate, a biodegradable chelant. The company also offers ScavSol, a multivalent metal sequestrant for energy applications; ScaleSol, an alternative to phosphonates for scale control; and CorrSol, a corrosion and fouling control product. By utilizing fermentation and enzymatic technology to convert plant sugars into chemicals, Solugen aims to replace petroleum-based products with plant-derived alternatives. Its innovative solutions are designed to benefit various industries, including agriculture, cleaning, energy, and water, while also addressing critical issues such as clean water, sustainable materials, and healthier personal care products.

Gecko Robotics

Series A in 2018
Gecko Robotics, Inc. specializes in industrial inspection services, focusing on the maintenance and protection of critical infrastructure through advanced robotic technologies. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company operates additional locations in Austin and Houston, Texas, as well as internationally in Seville, Spain, and Santiago, Chile. Gecko Robotics employs wall-climbing robots equipped with ultrasound transducers and high-definition cameras to conduct non-destructive testing in various industries, including power, oil and gas, and pulp and paper. By integrating these robotic solutions with an AI-driven data platform, Gecko provides clients with real-time insights into the health of their assets, enabling better decision-making and enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

Oscar Health

Venture Round in 2018
Oscar Health is a health insurance company based in New York, founded in 2012 by Joshua Kushner, Kevin Nazemi, and Mario Schlosser. It specializes in offering individual and family health insurance plans, Medicare Advantage programs for seniors, and small group products. Oscar Health aims to enhance the healthcare experience by leveraging technology, design, and data to make services more accessible and user-friendly. The company primarily serves individuals, couples, and families who do not receive employer-sponsored health insurance in select states, including New York, New Jersey, California, and Texas. In addition to traditional insurance offerings, Oscar provides virtual care, doctor support, and appointment scheduling, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to healthcare management.

ZenBusiness

Seed Round in 2018
ZenBusiness Inc. is a company that specializes in providing corporate entity creation and management services tailored for small business owners. Founded in 2015 and based in Austin, Texas, ZenBusiness offers a comprehensive platform that consolidates business formation, compliance, banking, bookkeeping, and marketing tools into an intuitive dashboard. This platform allows users to manage their business needs efficiently, including checking their company's status and filing necessary documents, all from a single login. What distinguishes ZenBusiness is its blend of innovative technology and live human support, offering customers access to expert guidance through various communication channels. The company is also dedicated to social impact, functioning as a Public Benefit Corporation and promoting employee volunteer work. ZenBusiness actively engages with diverse entrepreneurs and provides grant opportunities to support small business growth, further solidifying its role as a trusted partner in the business community.

Oscar Health

Private Equity Round in 2016
Oscar Health is a health insurance company based in New York, founded in 2012 by Joshua Kushner, Kevin Nazemi, and Mario Schlosser. It specializes in offering individual and family health insurance plans, Medicare Advantage programs for seniors, and small group products. Oscar Health aims to enhance the healthcare experience by leveraging technology, design, and data to make services more accessible and user-friendly. The company primarily serves individuals, couples, and families who do not receive employer-sponsored health insurance in select states, including New York, New Jersey, California, and Texas. In addition to traditional insurance offerings, Oscar provides virtual care, doctor support, and appointment scheduling, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to healthcare management.

Modumetal

Venture Round in 2015
Modumetal, Inc. is a manufacturer and developer of nano laminated metals and materials, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with an additional sales office in The Woodlands, Texas. The company specializes in producing industrial-scale nanolaminated alloys that are stronger and lighter than steel, as well as more corrosion-resistant and durable than traditional metals. By utilizing electricity instead of heat in their manufacturing process, Modumetal reduces environmental impact while delivering high-performance solutions. Their products, which include customized alloys, coatings, fasteners, pumps, valves, and production tubulars, cater to various industries, including energy, aerospace, automotive, defense, infrastructure, and construction. Modumetal's technology enables these sectors to enhance performance and achieve cost-effective alternatives to conventional materials.

Oscar Health

Series C in 2015
Oscar Health is a health insurance company based in New York, founded in 2012 by Joshua Kushner, Kevin Nazemi, and Mario Schlosser. It specializes in offering individual and family health insurance plans, Medicare Advantage programs for seniors, and small group products. Oscar Health aims to enhance the healthcare experience by leveraging technology, design, and data to make services more accessible and user-friendly. The company primarily serves individuals, couples, and families who do not receive employer-sponsored health insurance in select states, including New York, New Jersey, California, and Texas. In addition to traditional insurance offerings, Oscar provides virtual care, doctor support, and appointment scheduling, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to healthcare management.

Oscar Health

Series B in 2014
Oscar Health is a health insurance company based in New York, founded in 2012 by Joshua Kushner, Kevin Nazemi, and Mario Schlosser. It specializes in offering individual and family health insurance plans, Medicare Advantage programs for seniors, and small group products. Oscar Health aims to enhance the healthcare experience by leveraging technology, design, and data to make services more accessible and user-friendly. The company primarily serves individuals, couples, and families who do not receive employer-sponsored health insurance in select states, including New York, New Jersey, California, and Texas. In addition to traditional insurance offerings, Oscar provides virtual care, doctor support, and appointment scheduling, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to healthcare management.

Oscar Health

Series A in 2014
Oscar Health is a health insurance company based in New York, founded in 2012 by Joshua Kushner, Kevin Nazemi, and Mario Schlosser. It specializes in offering individual and family health insurance plans, Medicare Advantage programs for seniors, and small group products. Oscar Health aims to enhance the healthcare experience by leveraging technology, design, and data to make services more accessible and user-friendly. The company primarily serves individuals, couples, and families who do not receive employer-sponsored health insurance in select states, including New York, New Jersey, California, and Texas. In addition to traditional insurance offerings, Oscar provides virtual care, doctor support, and appointment scheduling, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to healthcare management.

Oscar Health

Series A in 2013
Oscar Health is a health insurance company based in New York, founded in 2012 by Joshua Kushner, Kevin Nazemi, and Mario Schlosser. It specializes in offering individual and family health insurance plans, Medicare Advantage programs for seniors, and small group products. Oscar Health aims to enhance the healthcare experience by leveraging technology, design, and data to make services more accessible and user-friendly. The company primarily serves individuals, couples, and families who do not receive employer-sponsored health insurance in select states, including New York, New Jersey, California, and Texas. In addition to traditional insurance offerings, Oscar provides virtual care, doctor support, and appointment scheduling, emphasizing a comprehensive approach to healthcare management.

Able Lending

Series A in 2013
Able Lending, based in Austin, Texas, is a small business lender offering term loans, growth loans, and debt refinancing options. Its unique "Able Start" loan product enables businesses to access funding with support from friends, family, and fans, potentially securing lower interest rates. Founded in 2011, the company aims to provide affordable financing solutions, with borrowers reportedly saving an average of $31,000 on loans ranging from $25,000 to $1,000,000. Able Lending was acquired by Fundation Group in 2018.

Portalarium

Venture Round in 2011
Portalarium, Inc. is a gaming company founded in 2009 and based in Austin, Texas. The company specializes in the development and publication of online games and virtual worlds, focusing on enhancing social interaction within gaming experiences. Portalarium aims to revolutionize role-playing games by creating premium titles for social media platforms and mobile devices. Their games are designed to maximize enjoyment and facilitate social play among friends, allowing players to easily connect and engage with one another, regardless of their gaming environments.

Quantcast

Series C in 2010
Quantcast Corporation is a digital advertising company that provides real-time advertising and audience measurement solutions for marketers and publishers. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional offices in Manchester and Austin, the company offers two primary products: Quantcast Measure and Quantcast Advertise. Quantcast Measure delivers audience insights derived from data generated by over 100 million digital destinations, enabling marketers and publishers to understand their audiences through demographic and geographic information. Quantcast Advertise utilizes predictive modeling and data analytics to tailor advertising delivery, helping marketers engage consumers throughout their online journey and enhance the effectiveness of their campaigns. With a commitment to harnessing big data, Quantcast aims to improve connected experiences and provide actionable insights that drive business growth.

Gowalla

Series A in 2008
Gowalla is a company based in Austin, Texas, that focuses on creating social games played in real-world locations. Launched in 2009, it offers an award-winning mobile app and website, which serve as a social guide to popular places and cities worldwide. The platform features an extensive collection of guides to cities, parks, and regions, curated by both the Gowalla community and experts from organizations such as Disney and National Geographic. This allows users to easily share and discover photos, experiences, and recommendations while on the go, fostering a sense of connection among friends and families. Gowalla's innovative approach to blending social interaction with real-world exploration has garnered attention and support from various prominent investors.

Quantcast

Series B in 2008
Quantcast Corporation is a digital advertising company that provides real-time advertising and audience measurement solutions for marketers and publishers. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional offices in Manchester and Austin, the company offers two primary products: Quantcast Measure and Quantcast Advertise. Quantcast Measure delivers audience insights derived from data generated by over 100 million digital destinations, enabling marketers and publishers to understand their audiences through demographic and geographic information. Quantcast Advertise utilizes predictive modeling and data analytics to tailor advertising delivery, helping marketers engage consumers throughout their online journey and enhance the effectiveness of their campaigns. With a commitment to harnessing big data, Quantcast aims to improve connected experiences and provide actionable insights that drive business growth.

Quantcast

Series A in 2007
Quantcast Corporation is a digital advertising company that provides real-time advertising and audience measurement solutions for marketers and publishers. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, with additional offices in Manchester and Austin, the company offers two primary products: Quantcast Measure and Quantcast Advertise. Quantcast Measure delivers audience insights derived from data generated by over 100 million digital destinations, enabling marketers and publishers to understand their audiences through demographic and geographic information. Quantcast Advertise utilizes predictive modeling and data analytics to tailor advertising delivery, helping marketers engage consumers throughout their online journey and enhance the effectiveness of their campaigns. With a commitment to harnessing big data, Quantcast aims to improve connected experiences and provide actionable insights that drive business growth.
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