Startup Factories
Palantir.
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Introducing Startup Factories
Today, we’re introducing a new series: Startup Factories.
When a startup achieves success, it often blossoms with powerful network effects—former employees, or "operators," go on to launch their own ventures, invest in early-stage startups, or even establish their own venture funds.
Startup Factories explores the technology powerhouses, the visionary founders they cultivate, and the groundbreaking startups they build—past and present.
To launch the series, we’re exploring the 170+ startups founded by former operators at Palantir.
What do we know so far?
94% of the startups listed raise beyond their Pre-Seed round.
3 companies have IPO’d.
The startups have collectively raised $24 billion.
88% of the startups are based in the U.S.
59% of former operators turned founders have an engineering background.
15% of the startups went through Y Combinator.
Former operators are also launching their own venture funds.
When were the startups founded?
Of the 170+ startups founded by former Palantir operators, 31% have launched since 2020.
Roles held at Palantir
Among the startups founded by former Palantir employees, over 50% of the founders have an engineering background. This is followed by those with experience in strategy or operations, and then by those with product-related roles, including product managers and product designers.
Where are they based?
The majority of startups founded are based in the U.S., followed by the U.K., Canada, Singapore, Germany, and other countries.
Latest fundraising stages
Of the 170+ startups, 90% have raised between Pre-Seed to Series C rounds.
Average funding rounds
Over the past five years, former operators have, on average, raised the following amounts at each funding stage:
Pre-Seed: USD $845K
Seed: USD $4.5M
Series A: USD $18.5M
Series B: USD $46.4M
Series C: USD $80M
Number of co-founders per startup
Of the 170+ startups founded by former Palantir operators, 25% had prior founder experience, and 40% were established by teams with two co-founders.
Palantir startups have raised $24 billion
To date, former Palantir operators have raised $24 billion, with $10 billion raised in just the past three years alone.
In the last three years, these alumni have collectively raised the following amounts:
Up until 2022: $13.8B
Up until 2023: $15.7B
Up until 2024: $24B
Universities attended by founders
Stanford University stands out as the top choice for founders, followed by MIT, Harvard, Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Cambridge, Cornell, and Princeton all followed as popular choices.
The most active investors in Palantir companies
Former employees at Palantir have raised a staggering $24 billion to date and 15% of the startups have gone through Y Combinator (YC). Thrive Capital, Craft Ventures, Sequoia, Founders Fund, 8VC, A16Z, Lightspeed and Box Group all appeared as the most active investors who have positions in the startups.
M&A Activity
Out of the 170+ startups, 13% have been acquired by the following companies as examples.
Former Operators are also launching their own venture funds
Alongside launching startups, former operators are also creating their own venture funds. Notably, 8VC, founded by Palantir co-founder Joseph Lonsdale, has invested in 9 of the 170+ startups.
Meet the 170+ startups
Discover the latest 170+ startups founded by former Palantir operators.
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