Career Timeline of Alex Karp: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Alex Karp, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Alexander Karp is an American businessman and entrepreneur, most notably the co-founder and CEO of Palantir Technologies, a software firm. He co-founded Palantir in 2003 with Peter Thiel, after initially working in investments. In 2025, Time magazine recognized his influence by including him in the Time 100 list.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2003: Co-founded Palantir Technologies

In 2003, Alexander Karp co-founded Palantir Technologies with Peter Thiel.

2004: Co-founded Palantir Technologies as CEO

In 2004, Alexander Karp co-founded Palantir Technologies as CEO along with Peter Thiel and others.

2019: EU Delegation Contacted Palantir

In 2019, when the EU delegation visited Washington, the only private company they contacted was Alexander Karp's company, Palantir.

2020: Highest-Paid CEO of a Publicly Traded Company

In 2020, The New York Times ranked Alexander Karp as the highest-paid CEO of a publicly traded company, with compensation worth $1.1 billion, during the year Palantir Technologies went public.

June 2022: Met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy

In June 2022, Alexander Karp was the first CEO of a major Western company to meet with president Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Russia invaded Ukraine.

2023: Participated in Reagan National Defense Forum

In 2023, Alexander Karp participated in the Reagan National Defense Forum, where he criticized the corporate elite for prioritizing profit over standing up for their country.

2023: Advocated for More Control in the U.S. and Innovation in Europe

In 2023, at the opening of the art exhibition "Dimensions. Digital Art since 1859" in Leipzig, Alexander Karp advocated for more control in the U.S. and more innovative spirit in Europe.

2024: Subject of German Documentary

In 2024, Alex Karp is the subject of the German documentary film "Watching You: The World of Palantir and Alex Karp", directed by Klaus Stern, exploring Palantir's influence and Karp's career; Karp chose not to participate.

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2024: Criticism for selling Palantir shares

In 2024, Alex Karp received criticism for selling $1.9 billion of Palantir shares.

2024: Highest-Paid CEO in the US

In 2024, Alexander Karp was the highest-paid CEO of a publicly traded company in the United States, with a compensation of almost $6.8 billion, and The Economist chose him as the 2024 CEO of the Year.

February 2025: Publication of 'The Technological Republic'

In February 2025, Alex Karp, co-author with Nicholas Zamiska, published "The Technological Republic: Hard Power, Soft Belief, and the Future of the West." The book critiques Silicon Valley and the West's ambition, advocating for software industry partnerships with government.

September 2025: Called for German Leaders to Talk About the Crisis

In September 2025, Alexander Karp called for German leaders to address the crisis, suggesting a plan to improve the situation in Germany and save the industry, promoting the political power of business leaders and creating special technological zones.