Early Life
Trae Stephens was born in November 1983 and grew up in Ohio. His formative years were marked by a pivotal event: the September 11 attacks, which occurred while he was a senior in high school. This event profoundly influenced his career aspirations, inspiring him to pursue a path in national security. Stephens attended Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, focusing on Arabic and Security Studies.
Rise to Success
After graduating from Georgetown University, Stephens began his career in the US intelligence community. He later joined Peter Thiel's Palantir Technologies. Stephens's career took a significant turn in 2014 when he joined Founders Fund as a partner. In 2017, Stephens co-founded Anduril Industries with Palmer Luckey and others. Anduril, which generates $1 billion in revenue in 2024, has secured major contracts with the Department of Defense, and has partnered with Meta to develop an AI-powered headset for the military. In June 2025, Stephens became a billionaire as a result of a mega funding round that valued Anduril at $30 billion.
Key Business Strategies
Stephens's strategy involves applying Silicon Valley approaches to defense technology. Anduril has focused on building autonomous systems and securing government contracts. The company has also expanded its operations internationally. In 2024, he co-founded Valinor Enterprises.
Philanthropy
Stephens is also involved in Christian ministry, and his wife started ACTS17 (Acknowledging Christ within Technology and Society), a Christian nonprofit.