FOUNDED: 2017
LEGACY LEADERSHIP: Co-founded by Palmer Luckey after he was fired from Facebook. That followed his $2.3B sale of his Oculus VR to Mark Zuckerberg’s company in 2014. Luckey is a fervent supporter of President Donald Trump while co-founder CEO Brian Schimpf has donated to Democrats.
HQ: Costa Mesa, though that is a story in itself. Anduril started in Irvine but has since spread to various sites beyond its Costa Mesa headquarters. That includes a mega-plant near Columbus, Ohio, and a planned mammoth facility in Long Beach. Founded digital bank Erebor, also based in Columbus.
OC SIGNIFICANCE: Started out with border protection devices, riding the sentiment against undocumented migrants racing over the border. Rapidly pivoted to defense, with national trend toward more advanced military protection. Focuses on autonomous weapons guided by its Lattice software.
DEFINING MOMENT: In March, took first steps toward full-scale production of its unmanned fighter jet at its mega-factory outside Columbus, Ohio. Other weapons include Barracuda cruise missiles.
BY THE NUMBERS: Company valued at $61B as of May. Chalked up $2.2B in revenue in 2025, more than twice the year before. Luckey hints at an IPO in the future. Companywide employee headcount has shot up to 9,400 from 586 in 2022. Backers include Silicon Valley heavyweight Peter Thiel.
QUOTABLE: “I don’t think the United States needs to be the world police – it needs to be the world’s gun store.” — Palmer Luckey
FUN FACT: Luckey is known for constantly wearing cargo shorts, Hawaiian shirts and sandals. Personal toys include a helicopter and a submarine.
