Career Timeline of Joe Lonsdale: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 31, 2025

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

Joe Lonsdale is an American entrepreneur and venture capitalist known for co-founding several prominent technology companies. These include Palantir Technologies, a data analytics firm; Addepar, a wealth management technology company; and OpenGov, a government technology platform. He is also the co-founder and managing partner of 8VC, a technology investment firm that focuses on investing in and supporting innovative companies. Lonsdale's career highlights his focus on building and investing in technology-driven solutions across various sectors.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2002: Editor-in-chief of The Stanford Review

From 2002 to 2003, Joe Lonsdale served as editor-in-chief of The Stanford Review, a student-run newspaper.

2003: Editor-in-chief of The Stanford Review

From 2002 to 2003, Joe Lonsdale served as editor-in-chief of The Stanford Review, a student-run newspaper.

2004: Began Palantir Technologies Prototype

In 2004, Joe Lonsdale started working on a prototype for Palantir Technologies, a data mining and defense technology company he co-founded. Palantir aimed to apply fraud detection techniques from PayPal to national security and law enforcement.

2004: Co-founded Palantir Technologies

In 2004, Joe Lonsdale, along with Peter Thiel, Alex Karp, Stephen Cohen, and Nathan Gettings, co-founded Palantir Technologies, a data mining and defense technology company.

2009: Co-founded Addepar

In 2009, Joe Lonsdale co-founded Addepar, a wealth management and data analytics platform, with Jason Mirra.

2009: Left Palantir and Co-founded Addepar

In 2009, Joe Lonsdale left Palantir Technologies, where he was an early executive, and co-founded Addepar, a wealth management technology company.

2009: Left Palantir

In 2009, Joe Lonsdale left Palantir, though he continued to hold an advisory role and a stake in the company.

2010: Palantir Valued at $1 Billion

By 2010, Palantir, where Joe Lonsdale made much of his fortune, was valued at $1 billion.

2011: Co-founded Formation 8

In 2011, Joe Lonsdale co-founded the venture capital firm Formation 8.

2012: Co-founded OpenGov

In 2012, Joe Lonsdale and Zachary Bookman co-founded OpenGov, a company offering cloud-based software for government budgeting. Lonsdale served as chairman of the board.

2013: Became Chairman of Addepar

In 2013, Joe Lonsdale became chairman of Addepar and left his role as CEO.

December 2014: Formation 8 Raised $500 Million Fund

In December 2014, Formation 8, co-founded by Joe Lonsdale, raised a second fund of $500 million.

November 2015: Formation 8 Shut Down

In November 2015, Formation 8 shut down due to differences in investment styles and interpersonal conflicts between Joe Lonsdale and Brian Koo, stemming from a sexual assault allegation against Lonsdale and a failed investment by Koo.