Palantir Technologies
Palantir builds AI-driven data integration and intelligence platforms — Gotham, Foundry, Apollo, AIP — for defense, intelligence, and commercial customers.
Background
Palantir was founded in 2003 by Peter Thiel, Stephen Cohen, Joe Lonsdale, Alex Karp, and Nathan Gettings, originally to apply data-fusion techniques from counterterrorism finance to military intelligence analysis.
The CIA's In-Q-Tel was an early backer. Alex Karp has served as CEO since inception.
The core product stack comprises four systems: Gotham, purpose-built for defense and intelligence agencies to integrate siloed operational data; Foundry, a commercial and civil-sector data operating system; Apollo, a continuous delivery and deployment platform; and AIP (Artificial Intelligence Platform), which layers large-language-model workflows onto Gotham and Foundry environments for decision support and targeting assistance.
Palantir sells primarily through direct government contracts and enterprise agreements. The U.S. government segment — led by Army, intelligence community, and federal civilian agency deals — is the company's largest revenue driver.
Headcount stands at 3,500-plus employees. The company listed publicly in September 2020 via direct listing on the NYSE and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.
Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler edits BattlePolicy, a daily defense-technology brief connecting the companies and capabilities behind modern war to the contest among Europe, the US, Russia, and China.