Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund raises $4.6 billion to back growth-stage startups

Peter Thiel’s venture capital firm, Founders Fund, has secured $4.6 billion for its latest growth-stage vehicle, signalling a renewed push into later-stage startups with a focus on artificial intelligence, defence technologies, and advanced manufacturing.

The fund—named Founders Fund Growth III—has attracted commitments from 270 investors, according to a recent filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Alongside Thiel, long-time partners Napoleon Ta and Trae Stephens are listed as directors of the fund.

Founded in 2005, Founders Fund…