Erebor, a digital bank co-founded by Palmer Luckey, has raised $350 million at a $4.35 billion valuation, received regulatory approvals, and is expected to launch next year, highlighting strong investor interest in innovative banking startups.
The site will no longer cover ModRetro products due to their recent association with Anduril Industries, a defense contractor linked to arms manufacturing, which the authors find morally unacceptable, marking a significant shift in their coverage policy.
ModRetro, founded by Oculus co-founder Palmer Luckey, has released a limited-edition retro handheld made from the same metal as Anduril's attack drones, priced at $349.99, sparking criticism for its militaristic associations and perceived fetishization of military technology in the gaming community.
Anduril, founded by Palmer Luckey, has launched EagleEye, an AI-powered mixed-reality system integrated into military helmets, developed in partnership with Meta, aiming to enhance soldiers' capabilities with features like heads-up displays, spatial audio, and drone control.
Mark Zuckerberg's Meta and Palmer Luckey's Anduril Industries are collaborating with the US Army to develop advanced mixed-reality combat goggles, building on the Army's IVAS project and leveraging extensive soldier feedback, marking a return to joint efforts after previous setbacks.
Palmer Luckey's new crypto bank Erebor claims it can secure regulatory approval within six months due to Luckey's political connections and ties to regulators, though experts suggest the process typically takes longer. The bank is backed by venture firms like Founders Fund and 8VC, and leverages Luckey's political network and connections to regulators to expedite approval, with Erebor aiming for a 2025 charter. However, industry experts caution that the timeline may be optimistic, and regulatory processes often extend beyond initial estimates.
ModRetro, co-founded by Palmer Luckey, teases a $200 Nintendo 64 clone called M64 that plays original cartridges on real hardware, aiming to launch this holiday season, capitalizing on N64 nostalgia and competing with other FPGA-based consoles like Analogue 3D.
Palmer Luckey's new digital banking startup Erebor, aimed at startups and crypto companies, is raising at least $225 million at a $2 billion valuation, backed by Founders Fund and 8VC, and has applied for a US bank charter to offer crypto-collateralized lending services.
Anduril, a defense technology startup led by Palmer Luckey, has raised $2.5 billion at a $30.5 billion valuation, nearly doubling its revenue to $1 billion in 2024 and securing around $1.5 billion in contracts, reflecting increased investor interest in defense tech and positioning the company as a major player in the sector.
Meta has partnered with Anduril Industries to develop augmented and virtual reality devices for the military, marking a shift for the social media giant into defense contracting, leveraging its extensive investments in extended reality technologies to support U.S. military efforts.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Oculus founder Palmer Luckey have reconciled and announced a partnership to develop advanced AR and VR technology for the U.S. military, signaling a shift towards military contracts and a shared ultra-masculine persona, with both embracing their support for military and political figures like Trump.
Mark Zuckerberg and Palmer Luckey have ended their past disagreements and partnered to develop advanced extended reality technology for the US military, utilizing AI and wearable devices to enhance soldiers' vision and battlefield awareness, with a focus on private funding and commercial tech origins.
Meta and Anduril are collaborating to develop mixed reality headsets for the U.S. military, leveraging Meta's AR/VR technology and AI, as part of the Soldier Borne Mission Command program, marking a significant partnership for Palmer Luckey after his departure from Oculus and Facebook.
Archer Aviation has partnered with Palmer Luckey's defense firm, Anduril Industries, to develop next-generation military aircraft, focusing on a hybrid VTOL model. Archer also announced a $450 million funding round to support its defense initiatives and has created a new division, Archer Defense, to formalize its military supplier role. The company aims to secure a contract with the US Department of Defense and has already delivered an eVTOL aircraft to the US Air Force for evaluation. Archer's efforts align with broader industry moves to gain FAA approval for eVTOL vehicles.
Palmer Luckey, founder of the $14 billion defense startup Anduril, is reshaping the defense industry with AI-powered weapons and a unique personal style. Known for his candidness and support of Donald Trump, Luckey aims to improve his public image while leading Anduril to challenge traditional defense giants like Lockheed Martin. The company has secured significant military contracts and is developing advanced technologies, including combat drones and AI-driven battlefield mapping systems. Despite past controversies, Luckey is focused on proving his reliability and moral integrity in business.