Tech Firm Ditches Palo Alto Citing Culture Clash

Palo Alto CA

21 August, 2020

2:55 AM

Description

DENVER, CO — A data analytics software giant CEO cited cultural considerations as a pivotal factor in Palantir's decision to move its headquarters from the world's tech capital. The company without fanfare has moved its headquarters from Palo Alto to Denver. An update of the company's web page reflects the change. Alex Karp told "Axios on HBO" that his company wanted to make the move amid an "increasing intolerance and monoculture" in Silicon Valley. Palantir was co-founded in 2004 by billionaire investor Peter Thiel, a Trump-backing Silicon Valley business titan. Karp acknowledged in the Axios interview that his staff expressed dissatisfaction with the company's decision to contract with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, an agency with a dubious human rights record in the estimation of many in Silicon Valley and throughout much of the Bay Area. "I've had my favorite employees yell at me," Karp told Axios. "I've had some of my favorite employees leave." It's unclear how many of the company's 2,500 employees will be moved to Denver. Palantir's new address is listed at 1555 Blake St., near the 16th Street Mall. — Patch editor Amber Fisher contributed to this report.