Trae Stephens is an American entrepreneur and venture capitalist, born in November 1983. He gained prominence in the tech and defense sectors through his early career at Palantir Technologies, where he worked starting in 2008 under Peter Thiel's influence. Stephens joined Founders Fund, Thiel's venture capital firm, as a partner in 2014, focusing on investments at the intersection of technology and national security. His professional relationship with Thiel has been central to his career, positioning him as a key figure in Silicon Valley's libertarian-leaning tech ecosystem.

In 2017, Stephens co-founded Anduril Industries, a defense technology company specializing in autonomous systems, AI-driven surveillance, and border security solutions. As executive chairman, he has steered Anduril toward disrupting traditional defense contracting with software-centric approaches, securing major contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense. The company has raised significant funding from investors including Founders Fund and has expanded rapidly, reflecting Stephens' vision for leveraging tech innovation in national security.

Stephens is known for his advocacy on issues like immigration enforcement through technology and has been involved in political discussions around national security. He holds a bachelor's degree from Stanford University and resides primarily in the United States, with activities centered in California and Texas.