Founders Fund

Founders Fund is a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that backs science and technology companies across multiple stages, from seed to late-stage. It pursues transformative technologies and follows a founder-friendly investment approach that provides substantial support with minimal interference. The firm invests in ventures solving difficult problems across sectors such as aerospace and transportation, artificial intelligence, advanced computing, energy, healthcare, biotechnology, cybersecurity, fintech, consumer internet, software, robotics, and related technology fields. It has backed notable companies early, including SpaceX, Palantir, and Facebook, reflecting a history of partnering with ambitious founders to scale breakthrough technologies.

Delian Asparouhov

Partner

Jennifer Campbell

Partner

Bridget Harris

Associate

Joey Krug

Partner

Sean Liu

Partner

Jeffrey Lonsdale

Managing Director, Asia

John Luttig

Partner

Amin Mirzadegan

Partner

Scott Nolan

Partner

Luke Nosek

Managing Partner

Stephen Oskoui

Venture Partner

Ryan Petersen

Partner

Keith Rabois

Partner

Neil Ruthven

CFO

Napoleon Ta

Partner

Matias Van Thienen

Partner

Past deals in Defence

Amca

Seed Round in 2025
Amca acquires and develops critical aerospace and defense products and then scales them to deliver what the industry needs next. The company emphasizes rapid prototyping and delivery of new products, aiming to respond promptly to customer needs. Amca is committed to deploying top engineering and manufacturing talent to assist customers in building new products and solving complex problems.

Anduril Industries

Series F in 2024
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company that designs, develops, and deploys hardware and software to address national security challenges for the United States and its allies. It offers the Lattice Platform, an AI-based system that fuses real-time data from computer vision, machine learning, and mesh networking into a single autonomous operating picture; Sentry Tower, which integrates data across the electromagnetic spectrum; Ghost sUAS, an unmanned autonomous, man-portable drone capable of performing missions with limited human intervention; and Anvil sUAS, a precision kinetic intercept that autonomously navigates to counter potential drone threats with visual verification by a human operator. Founded in 2017, Anduril is based in Irvine, California, with additional offices in Orange County, California; Washington, D.C.; and Seattle, Washington.

Swarm Aero

Seed Round in 2024
Swarm Aero develops advanced unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with sensor mesh networks, edge computing capabilities, and collaborative autonomy. This enables businesses to efficiently deploy large-scale drone operations in challenging environments.

Hadrian

Series B in 2024
Hadrian is a machine parts startup that manufactures precision components for technology companies, including aerospace and defense programs. It builds autonomous, software-defined precision component factories and an autonomous manufacturing platform that integrates software, robotics, and full-stack capabilities to scale mission-critical programs across space, aviation, and maritime sectors. By enabling aerospace startups, suppliers, and defense contractors to produce essential components with lower costs and greater efficiency, Hadrian aims to accelerate development timelines and reduce manufacturing complexity.

SpaceX

Private Equity Round in 2023
Founded in 2002, SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. Its notable projects include Falcon Heavy, Dragon, Starship, and human spaceflight initiatives.

Hadrian

Series A in 2022
Hadrian is a machine parts startup that manufactures precision components for technology companies, including aerospace and defense programs. It builds autonomous, software-defined precision component factories and an autonomous manufacturing platform that integrates software, robotics, and full-stack capabilities to scale mission-critical programs across space, aviation, and maritime sectors. By enabling aerospace startups, suppliers, and defense contractors to produce essential components with lower costs and greater efficiency, Hadrian aims to accelerate development timelines and reduce manufacturing complexity.

AREVO

Venture Round in 2021
AREVO, based in Silicon Valley, California, is a technology company specializing in direct digital additive manufacturing of ultra-strong, lightweight composite parts for high-volume end-use applications. The company combines advanced materials, powerful design and build software, and free motion robotics to achieve true three-dimensional construction. This innovative approach allows AREVO to move beyond prototyping, facilitating the design and production of large, mass-manufactured parts and structures. By leveraging the unique properties of composite materials, AREVO provides designers and manufacturers with exceptional flexibility and strength, targeting sectors such as aerospace, defense, consumer electronics, transportation, and consumer goods. With its cutting-edge technology, AREVO is positioned to optimize additive manufacturing services for original equipment manufacturers worldwide.

Anduril Industries

Series D in 2021
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company that designs, develops, and deploys hardware and software to address national security challenges for the United States and its allies. It offers the Lattice Platform, an AI-based system that fuses real-time data from computer vision, machine learning, and mesh networking into a single autonomous operating picture; Sentry Tower, which integrates data across the electromagnetic spectrum; Ghost sUAS, an unmanned autonomous, man-portable drone capable of performing missions with limited human intervention; and Anvil sUAS, a precision kinetic intercept that autonomously navigates to counter potential drone threats with visual verification by a human operator. Founded in 2017, Anduril is based in Irvine, California, with additional offices in Orange County, California; Washington, D.C.; and Seattle, Washington.

Hadrian

Seed Round in 2021
Hadrian is a machine parts startup that manufactures precision components for technology companies, including aerospace and defense programs. It builds autonomous, software-defined precision component factories and an autonomous manufacturing platform that integrates software, robotics, and full-stack capabilities to scale mission-critical programs across space, aviation, and maritime sectors. By enabling aerospace startups, suppliers, and defense contractors to produce essential components with lower costs and greater efficiency, Hadrian aims to accelerate development timelines and reduce manufacturing complexity.

Anduril Industries

Series C in 2020
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company that designs, develops, and deploys hardware and software to address national security challenges for the United States and its allies. It offers the Lattice Platform, an AI-based system that fuses real-time data from computer vision, machine learning, and mesh networking into a single autonomous operating picture; Sentry Tower, which integrates data across the electromagnetic spectrum; Ghost sUAS, an unmanned autonomous, man-portable drone capable of performing missions with limited human intervention; and Anvil sUAS, a precision kinetic intercept that autonomously navigates to counter potential drone threats with visual verification by a human operator. Founded in 2017, Anduril is based in Irvine, California, with additional offices in Orange County, California; Washington, D.C.; and Seattle, Washington.

Modumetal

Venture Round in 2019
Modumetal, Inc. specializes in the development and manufacturing of nano-laminated metals and materials, catering to various industries including energy, aerospace, automotive, defense, infrastructure, and construction. Founded in 2006 and based in Seattle, Washington, with an additional sales office in The Woodlands, Texas, the company utilizes a proprietary technology that produces these alloys at an industrial scale. Modumetal's products are engineered to be stronger, lighter, and more corrosion-resistant than traditional metals, achieved through a manufacturing process that employs electricity instead of heat, thereby minimizing environmental impact. The company's offerings include customized alloys, nano-laminated fasteners, pumps, valves, and production tubulars, all designed to enhance performance and durability while maintaining competitive pricing compared to conventional materials.

Anduril Industries

Series B in 2019
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company that designs, develops, and deploys hardware and software to address national security challenges for the United States and its allies. It offers the Lattice Platform, an AI-based system that fuses real-time data from computer vision, machine learning, and mesh networking into a single autonomous operating picture; Sentry Tower, which integrates data across the electromagnetic spectrum; Ghost sUAS, an unmanned autonomous, man-portable drone capable of performing missions with limited human intervention; and Anvil sUAS, a precision kinetic intercept that autonomously navigates to counter potential drone threats with visual verification by a human operator. Founded in 2017, Anduril is based in Irvine, California, with additional offices in Orange County, California; Washington, D.C.; and Seattle, Washington.

Modumetal

Venture Round in 2019
Modumetal, Inc. specializes in the development and manufacturing of nano-laminated metals and materials, catering to various industries including energy, aerospace, automotive, defense, infrastructure, and construction. Founded in 2006 and based in Seattle, Washington, with an additional sales office in The Woodlands, Texas, the company utilizes a proprietary technology that produces these alloys at an industrial scale. Modumetal's products are engineered to be stronger, lighter, and more corrosion-resistant than traditional metals, achieved through a manufacturing process that employs electricity instead of heat, thereby minimizing environmental impact. The company's offerings include customized alloys, nano-laminated fasteners, pumps, valves, and production tubulars, all designed to enhance performance and durability while maintaining competitive pricing compared to conventional materials.

Anduril Industries

Series A in 2018
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company that designs, develops, and deploys hardware and software to address national security challenges for the United States and its allies. It offers the Lattice Platform, an AI-based system that fuses real-time data from computer vision, machine learning, and mesh networking into a single autonomous operating picture; Sentry Tower, which integrates data across the electromagnetic spectrum; Ghost sUAS, an unmanned autonomous, man-portable drone capable of performing missions with limited human intervention; and Anvil sUAS, a precision kinetic intercept that autonomously navigates to counter potential drone threats with visual verification by a human operator. Founded in 2017, Anduril is based in Irvine, California, with additional offices in Orange County, California; Washington, D.C.; and Seattle, Washington.

Anduril Industries

Seed Round in 2017
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company that designs, develops, and deploys hardware and software to address national security challenges for the United States and its allies. It offers the Lattice Platform, an AI-based system that fuses real-time data from computer vision, machine learning, and mesh networking into a single autonomous operating picture; Sentry Tower, which integrates data across the electromagnetic spectrum; Ghost sUAS, an unmanned autonomous, man-portable drone capable of performing missions with limited human intervention; and Anvil sUAS, a precision kinetic intercept that autonomously navigates to counter potential drone threats with visual verification by a human operator. Founded in 2017, Anduril is based in Irvine, California, with additional offices in Orange County, California; Washington, D.C.; and Seattle, Washington.

Modumetal

Venture Round in 2015
Modumetal, Inc. specializes in the development and manufacturing of nano-laminated metals and materials, catering to various industries including energy, aerospace, automotive, defense, infrastructure, and construction. Founded in 2006 and based in Seattle, Washington, with an additional sales office in The Woodlands, Texas, the company utilizes a proprietary technology that produces these alloys at an industrial scale. Modumetal's products are engineered to be stronger, lighter, and more corrosion-resistant than traditional metals, achieved through a manufacturing process that employs electricity instead of heat, thereby minimizing environmental impact. The company's offerings include customized alloys, nano-laminated fasteners, pumps, valves, and production tubulars, all designed to enhance performance and durability while maintaining competitive pricing compared to conventional materials.

Tribogenics

Series B in 2015
Tribogenics is a technology development company based in Los Angeles, California, focused on creating low-cost, portable X-ray solutions for various industries, including mining, industrial, military, and medical imaging. Utilizing triboluminescence technology originally developed at UCLA, the company has designed miniature X-ray devices that leverage a process akin to static electricity to generate X-rays. This innovative approach allows for convenient and accessible X-ray functions, enabling customers to conduct materials analysis and imaging in diverse settings without the constraints of traditional, larger X-ray systems.

SpaceX

Series G in 2015
Founded in 2002, SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. Its notable projects include Falcon Heavy, Dragon, Starship, and human spaceflight initiatives.

Palantir Technologies

Series H in 2013
Palantir Technologies develops data fusion, integration, and analytics software for public institutions, commercial enterprises, and non-profit organizations worldwide. The company offers Gotham, a platform that integrates, manages, secures, and analyzes enterprise data, and Metropolis, a platform that integrates, enriches, models, and analyzes quantitative data for commercial use. Palantir's software supports activities such as anti-fraud, crisis response, cyber security, defense, disaster preparedness, disease response, healthcare delivery, intelligence, law enforcement, insurance analytics, and pharmaceutical research. Its solutions enable collaboration across and within organizations to make sense of large and complex data sets. Palantir serves government, defense, finance, healthcare, and other industries. The company was founded in 2003 and is based in Palo Alto, California.

Tribogenics

Series A in 2012
Tribogenics is a technology development company based in Los Angeles, California, focused on creating low-cost, portable X-ray solutions for various industries, including mining, industrial, military, and medical imaging. Utilizing triboluminescence technology originally developed at UCLA, the company has designed miniature X-ray devices that leverage a process akin to static electricity to generate X-rays. This innovative approach allows for convenient and accessible X-ray functions, enabling customers to conduct materials analysis and imaging in diverse settings without the constraints of traditional, larger X-ray systems.

SpaceX

Series F in 2010
Founded in 2002, SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. Its notable projects include Falcon Heavy, Dragon, Starship, and human spaceflight initiatives.

Palantir Technologies

Series D in 2010
Palantir Technologies develops data fusion, integration, and analytics software for public institutions, commercial enterprises, and non-profit organizations worldwide. The company offers Gotham, a platform that integrates, manages, secures, and analyzes enterprise data, and Metropolis, a platform that integrates, enriches, models, and analyzes quantitative data for commercial use. Palantir's software supports activities such as anti-fraud, crisis response, cyber security, defense, disaster preparedness, disease response, healthcare delivery, intelligence, law enforcement, insurance analytics, and pharmaceutical research. Its solutions enable collaboration across and within organizations to make sense of large and complex data sets. Palantir serves government, defense, finance, healthcare, and other industries. The company was founded in 2003 and is based in Palo Alto, California.

SpaceX

Series D in 2008
Founded in 2002, SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. Its notable projects include Falcon Heavy, Dragon, Starship, and human spaceflight initiatives.
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