- Oculus founder Palmer Luckey sold his VR company to Meta.
- He later started defense tech firm Anduril Industries.
- Luckey’s unconventional ventures include a potentially deadly VR headset.
Teenage tinkerer turns tech titan
Palmer Luckey’s ascent to tech stardom began in his parents’ garage. The homeschooled prodigy, inspired by “The Art of the Deal,” founded Oculus VR at 20.
His innovative VR headset caught Meta’s eye, leading to a $2 billion acquisition in 2014. This deal thrust Luckey into the spotlight, marking VR’s entry into the mainstream.
Silicon Valley outcast finds new frontier
After a controversial political donation ended his Meta career, Luckey founded Anduril Industries. This defense tech startup is revolutionizing warfare with AI-powered autonomous weapons and surveillance systems.
Anduril’s innovations, including drones and submarines, are already in use by the US military. The company’s rapid growth culminated in a recent $1.5 billion funding round, valuing it at $14 billion.
VR’s dark turn and eccentric billionaire life
Luckey’s flair for controversy persists. He recently created a potentially lethal VR headset, inspired by anime.
Beyond work, the billionaire leads an eccentric life, boasting an underground video game vault and military vehicle collection.
With a $2.3 billion net worth, Luckey still runs ModRetro, modifying vintage gaming devices – a nod to his roots.
