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 Aerospace

Northwood Space

Series A in 2025
Northwood Space is a hardware solution that dramatically increases the number of orbits and frequency bands available for satellite communications from the ground.

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.

Magdrive

Seed Round in 2025
Magdrive Limited, established in 2019 and headquartered in Didcot, United Kingdom, specializes in developing advanced spacecraft propulsion systems tailored for small satellites. The company's innovative technology features a plasma thruster that combines the high thrust of chemical rockets with the high efficiency of electric thrusters. This dual capability allows spacecraft to travel faster and longer while reducing propellant requirements, thereby lowering costs and improving fuel efficiency for satellite maneuvers and missions in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Impulse Space

Series B in 2024
Impulse Space is an in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, specializing in providing access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) through a fleet of innovative transportation vehicles. The company’s flight-proven Mira vehicle employs a non-toxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system, facilitating services such as orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry from LEO to Geostationary Orbit (GEO). Additionally, the high-energy Helios vehicle, powered by the Deneb engine, enables deliveries to a range of orbits including Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary destinations. Impulse Space is committed to offering economical and efficient in-space transportation solutions, leveraging a team with a history of delivering reliable rockets to ensure rapid and dependable service for its customers.

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.

Varda

Series B in 2024
Varda Space Industries, Inc. is a space manufacturing startup based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2020 by Delian Asparouhov and Trae Stephens. The company specializes in creating products in space that are intended for terrestrial applications, leveraging the unique advantages of low gravity. Varda aims to establish an infrastructure for harvesting materials from asteroids, enabling the production of new products in space. This approach not only facilitates the manufacturing of innovative goods but also promotes sustainability by reducing reliance on the destructive extraction of Earth's resources.

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.

Northwood Space

Seed Round in 2024
Northwood Space is a hardware solution that dramatically increases the number of orbits and frequency bands available for satellite communications from the ground.

Gecko Robotics

Series C in 2023
Founded in 2013, Gecko Robotics specializes in industrial inspection services using robotics and AI-powered data platforms. Serving power, oil & gas, pulp & paper industries, they provide real-time insights for efficient operations and infrastructure maintenance.

Impulse Space

Series A in 2023
Impulse Space is an in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, specializing in providing access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) through a fleet of innovative transportation vehicles. The company’s flight-proven Mira vehicle employs a non-toxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system, facilitating services such as orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry from LEO to Geostationary Orbit (GEO). Additionally, the high-energy Helios vehicle, powered by the Deneb engine, enables deliveries to a range of orbits including Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary destinations. Impulse Space is committed to offering economical and efficient in-space transportation solutions, leveraging a team with a history of delivering reliable rockets to ensure rapid and dependable service for its customers.

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.

Impulse Space

Seed Round in 2022
Impulse Space is an in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, specializing in providing access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) through a fleet of innovative transportation vehicles. The company’s flight-proven Mira vehicle employs a non-toxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system, facilitating services such as orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry from LEO to Geostationary Orbit (GEO). Additionally, the high-energy Helios vehicle, powered by the Deneb engine, enables deliveries to a range of orbits including Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary destinations. Impulse Space is committed to offering economical and efficient in-space transportation solutions, leveraging a team with a history of delivering reliable rockets to ensure rapid and dependable service for its customers.

Gecko Robotics

Series C in 2022
Founded in 2013, Gecko Robotics specializes in industrial inspection services using robotics and AI-powered data platforms. Serving power, oil & gas, pulp & paper industries, they provide real-time insights for efficient operations and infrastructure maintenance.

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.

Zenith Aerospace

Venture Round in 2021
Zenith Aerospace Inc. is a company based in Palo Alto, California, specializing in the development of an innovative aerial platform capable of flying for extended periods without the need to land. Founded in 2016, the company operates at the intersection of aerospace, electrical engineering, computer vision, and data science to advance earth imaging technologies. Zenith Aerospace aims to provide real-time monitoring services that deliver accurate information to operators in various fields, day and night. By utilizing solar-powered unmanned aircraft, the company offers a sustainable solution for continuous observation and monitoring, enabling clients to make informed decisions efficiently over extended durations.

Varda

Series A in 2021
Varda Space Industries, Inc. is a space manufacturing startup based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2020 by Delian Asparouhov and Trae Stephens. The company specializes in creating products in space that are intended for terrestrial applications, leveraging the unique advantages of low gravity. Varda aims to establish an infrastructure for harvesting materials from asteroids, enabling the production of new products in space. This approach not only facilitates the manufacturing of innovative goods but also promotes sustainability by reducing reliance on the destructive extraction of Earth's resources.

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.

Magdrive

Seed Round in 2021
Magdrive Limited, established in 2019 and headquartered in Didcot, United Kingdom, specializes in developing advanced spacecraft propulsion systems tailored for small satellites. The company's innovative technology features a plasma thruster that combines the high thrust of chemical rockets with the high efficiency of electric thrusters. This dual capability allows spacecraft to travel faster and longer while reducing propellant requirements, thereby lowering costs and improving fuel efficiency for satellite maneuvers and missions in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Magdrive

Seed Round in 2020
Magdrive Limited, established in 2019 and headquartered in Didcot, United Kingdom, specializes in developing advanced spacecraft propulsion systems tailored for small satellites. The company's innovative technology features a plasma thruster that combines the high thrust of chemical rockets with the high efficiency of electric thrusters. This dual capability allows spacecraft to travel faster and longer while reducing propellant requirements, thereby lowering costs and improving fuel efficiency for satellite maneuvers and missions in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Varda

Seed Round in 2020
Varda Space Industries, Inc. is a space manufacturing startup based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2020 by Delian Asparouhov and Trae Stephens. The company specializes in creating products in space that are intended for terrestrial applications, leveraging the unique advantages of low gravity. Varda aims to establish an infrastructure for harvesting materials from asteroids, enabling the production of new products in space. This approach not only facilitates the manufacturing of innovative goods but also promotes sustainability by reducing reliance on the destructive extraction of Earth's resources.

Ayar Labs

Series B in 2020
Ayar Labs develops and manufactures high-density electronic-photonic chiplets and lasers, specializing in optical interconnect solutions. Its flagship product, TeraPHY, offers a monolithic in-package optical I/O solution for applications requiring high bandwidth, low latency, and power efficiency. The company's products serve various industries such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, telecommunications, aerospace, and military.

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.

Manna Drone Delivery

Seed Round in 2019
Manna is a drone delivery service that focuses on enhancing local businesses by offering a rapid delivery solution. Utilizing customized aerospace-grade drones, the company services suburban and rural communities with a delivery radius of 30 square miles. Manna's innovative approach enables retailers, restaurants, convenience stores, and pharmacies to significantly reduce delivery times, achieving deliveries within three minutes, which is a substantial improvement compared to traditional road-based delivery methods. By adhering to regulations set by aviation authorities in Europe and the USA, Manna not only transforms the logistics of delivery but also aims to improve the overall consumer experience.

Gecko Robotics

Series B in 2019
Founded in 2013, Gecko Robotics specializes in industrial inspection services using robotics and AI-powered data platforms. Serving power, oil & gas, pulp & paper industries, they provide real-time insights for efficient operations and infrastructure maintenance.

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.

Akash Systems

Series A in 2019
Founded in 2016, Akash Systems specializes in developing advanced satellite technologies. The company is renowned for its innovative use of gallium nitride (GaN)-on-Diamond composite material, which enhances energy efficiency and reduces the size and weight of satellite transmitters and CubeSats. Headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

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.

Ayar Labs

Series A in 2018
Ayar Labs develops and manufactures high-density electronic-photonic chiplets and lasers, specializing in optical interconnect solutions. Its flagship product, TeraPHY, offers a monolithic in-package optical I/O solution for applications requiring high bandwidth, low latency, and power efficiency. The company's products serve various industries such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, telecommunications, aerospace, and military.

Gecko Robotics

Series A in 2018
Founded in 2013, Gecko Robotics specializes in industrial inspection services using robotics and AI-powered data platforms. Serving power, oil & gas, pulp & paper industries, they provide real-time insights for efficient operations and infrastructure maintenance.

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.

Moon Express

Series B in 2017
Moon Express, established in 2010, is a pioneering commercial space company based in Cape Canaveral, Florida, with facilities in Huntsville, Alabama. It specializes in manufacturing and operating robotic spacecraft designed for lunar exploration and commercial development. The company's flagship product, the MX-1 commercial lunar lander, is a versatile space vehicle capable of delivering scientific and commercial payloads to the Moon. Moon Express serves NASA as both a collaborator and customer, with a focus on opening up the Moon's resources for humanity and establishing new avenues for commercial space activities beyond Earth orbit.

Ayar Labs

Seed Round in 2016
Ayar Labs develops and manufactures high-density electronic-photonic chiplets and lasers, specializing in optical interconnect solutions. Its flagship product, TeraPHY, offers a monolithic in-package optical I/O solution for applications requiring high bandwidth, low latency, and power efficiency. The company's products serve various industries such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, telecommunications, aerospace, and military.

Plethora

Venture Round in 2015
Plethora Corporation is a precision machining company that specializes in CNC machining, milling, and turning of various materials, including aluminum alloys, copper alloys, plastics, steels, and stainless steels. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, with an additional office in Marietta, Georgia, Plethora serves a diverse range of industries, such as robotics, automotive, aerospace, and consumer packaged goods, in the United States. The company offers innovative manufacturing systems that transform customer designs into custom parts by utilizing robotics and proprietary in-house software. Plethora also provides design feedback by analyzing CAD models directly within the client's CAD software, ensuring optimized manufacturing processes.

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.

Rescale

Venture Round in 2015
Rescale develops cloud-based platforms for scientific and engineering simulations. It offers ScaleX Pro for professionals and SMBs, ScaleX Developer for software developers, and ScaleX Enterprise for enterprises, featuring unified simulation platforms and on-premise resource management. Serving industries such as aerospace, automotive, and life sciences, Rescale enables customers to accelerate design cycles and time to market.

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.

Accion Systems

Seed Round in 2015
Accion Systems Inc. is a Boston-based company that manufactures advanced satellite propulsion systems for the space industry. Founded in 2014, the company specializes in in-space propulsion technologies, particularly its proprietary Tiled Ionic Liquid Electrospray (TILE) system. This innovative technology provides efficient and scalable electric propulsion solutions suitable for a variety of satellite applications, including attitude control, collision avoidance, orbit adjustments, and deorbiting. Accion Systems offers a range of products, including MIN-0 and MAX-1 electric propulsion systems for CubeSats and small satellites, as well as the TILE system for larger spacecraft. Through its cutting-edge propulsion technologies, Accion Systems aims to enhance the capabilities and operational efficiency of satellites in orbit.

Plethora

Series A in 2014
Plethora Corporation is a precision machining company that specializes in CNC machining, milling, and turning of various materials, including aluminum alloys, copper alloys, plastics, steels, and stainless steels. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, with an additional office in Marietta, Georgia, Plethora serves a diverse range of industries, such as robotics, automotive, aerospace, and consumer packaged goods, in the United States. The company offers innovative manufacturing systems that transform customer designs into custom parts by utilizing robotics and proprietary in-house software. Plethora also provides design feedback by analyzing CAD models directly within the client's CAD software, ensuring optimized manufacturing processes.

Plethora

Seed Round in 2013
Plethora Corporation is a precision machining company that specializes in CNC machining, milling, and turning of various materials, including aluminum alloys, copper alloys, plastics, steels, and stainless steels. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, with an additional office in Marietta, Georgia, Plethora serves a diverse range of industries, such as robotics, automotive, aerospace, and consumer packaged goods, in the United States. The company offers innovative manufacturing systems that transform customer designs into custom parts by utilizing robotics and proprietary in-house software. Plethora also provides design feedback by analyzing CAD models directly within the client's CAD software, ensuring optimized manufacturing processes.

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.

Moon Express

Venture Round in 2010
Moon Express, established in 2010, is a pioneering commercial space company based in Cape Canaveral, Florida, with facilities in Huntsville, Alabama. It specializes in manufacturing and operating robotic spacecraft designed for lunar exploration and commercial development. The company's flagship product, the MX-1 commercial lunar lander, is a versatile space vehicle capable of delivering scientific and commercial payloads to the Moon. Moon Express serves NASA as both a collaborator and customer, with a focus on opening up the Moon's resources for humanity and establishing new avenues for commercial space activities beyond Earth orbit.

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.

EnduroSat

EnduroSat designs and engineers spacecraft for business applications and space exploration missions. The company specializes in swarm/constellation satellite applications and offers customized satellites along with full-cycle mission support.
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