Khosla Ventures Fund and Investment Portfolio

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Khosla Ventures is a venture capital firm that has invested in over 400 companies since its inception in 2004.

One of the firm's notable investments is in the electric vehicle industry, with companies like Rivian and Lucid Motors receiving significant funding.

Their investment portfolio includes companies like Instacart, a grocery delivery service, and Guardant Health, a cancer diagnosis company.

Khosla Ventures has a strong focus on sustainability and has invested in companies that are working to reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy.

History and Overview

Khosla Ventures was founded in 2004 by Vinod Khosla, a former general partner of Kleiner Perkins.

The firm started with two investment vehicles, funded with Khosla's own personal capital and not open to institutional investors.

Pierre Lamond became General Partner in March 2009.

Khosla completed fundraising for two new funds in December 2009, to invest in cleantech and information technology start-ups.

By 2013, Khosla Ventures was considered one of the top investors in clean technology, having invested in more than 70 companies in the sector.

Credit: youtube.com, Vinod Khosla on his biggest return in history of VC & changing trajectory of the internet

The firm has invested in various environmentally friendly technologies, including bio-refineries for energy and bioplastics, solar, wind, battery, engines, LED, and HVAC efficiency.

As of September 2017, Khosla Ventures had about $5 billion in assets under management.

In October 2021, the firm raised $1.4 billion in funding to invest in early-to-late stage startups.

Khosla Ventures has incubated several companies, including QuantumScape and NextVivo.

In January 2022, the firm raised $557 million in its first opportunity fund.

The firm closed $3.1 billion in new capital across three funds as of November 2023, including $1 billion for later-stage companies and $1.6 billion for its eighth flagship fund.

This was the largest fundraiser by a venture capital firm that year.

Khosla Ventures stated that the funding would be used for nuclear fusion, humanoid robots, and artificial intelligence to support industries such as healthcare and transportation.

Keith Rabois returned to the firm as a managing director in February 2024.

Investments and Exits

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Khosla Ventures has a diverse portfolio of investments across various sectors. The firm has invested in companies like Doordash, Instacart, and Opendoor in the consumer space.

The firm has also made notable investments in the enterprise sector, including Okta, GitLab, Cylance, Rubrik, Nutanix, and Replit. Khosla Ventures invested in Block in the Series A round in 2009, which went public in 2015.

Khosla Ventures has a strong track record of investing in companies that go public, with notable examples including Doordash, Instacart, and Block. The firm also invested in Affirm in the Series A round in 2013, which went public in 2021 with a $24B valuation.

Here are some of the notable IPOs and public companies in Khosla Ventures' portfolio:

Khosla Ventures has also invested in companies like BioAge Labs, Rubrik, and Bitwise, which have all had successful IPOs.

Investments

Khosla Ventures has made a significant impact in the investment world, with a total of 1,338 investments under their belt.

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The firm has a diverse portfolio, investing in areas such as AI, climate, sustainability, enterprise, consumer, fintech, digital health, medtech, and diagnostics.

One of Khosla Ventures' notable investments is in companies like Doordash, which they invested in back in 2013 before it went public in 2020 with a $72b valuation.

Khosla Ventures also invested in Instacart in 2012 as part of the seed round, before it went public in 2020 with an $11B market cap.

The firm has a knack for identifying successful companies, such as Okta, which they invested in during its Series B round in 2011, before it went public in 2017.

Another notable investment is in GitLab, which they invested in during its Series A round in 2015, before it went public in 2021 with a $15B market cap.

Khosla Ventures has also invested in companies like Block, which they invested in during its Series A round in 2009, before it went public in 2015.

Their investments in fintech companies include Stripe, Upstart, and Ramp, showcasing their expertise in the industry.

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In the realm of sustainability, Khosla Ventures has invested in companies like Commonwealth Fusion, which they invested in during its $115m Series A round in 2019.

Khosla Ventures was also an early investor in Quantumscape, which went public in 2020, demonstrating their ability to identify innovative companies.

Their investments in digital health include Guardant Health, which they invested in during its Series B round in 2014, before it went public in 2018.

Khosla Ventures was the first venture capital firm to invest in OpenAI in 2018, highlighting their forward-thinking approach to investments.

Their latest investment was in Sonocharge as part of their Series A on January 22, 2025, demonstrating their continued commitment to supporting innovative companies.

Exits

Khosla Ventures has had a significant number of exits in its portfolio, with 177 portfolio exits to date. Their latest exit was Cape Analytics, acquired by Moody's on January 13, 2025.

One notable exit was Theatro, acquired by Motorola Solutions on January 10, 2025. The valuation of this acquisition was not disclosed.

Broaden your view: Sequoia Capital Investments

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Coda was another company that was acquired, this time by Grammarly on December 17, 2024. The valuation of this acquisition was also not disclosed.

Khosla Ventures' portfolio has seen a mix of acquisition and initial public offering (IPO) exits. For example, on September 26, 2024, a company in their portfolio went public, but the details of the company and the valuation of the IPO are not publicly available.

Here are some of the key details of Khosla Ventures' exits:

It's worth noting that not all of the companies acquired by Khosla Ventures have been disclosed publicly. In some cases, the details of the acquisition, such as the valuation, are also not publicly available.

IPOs & Public Firms

IPOs and public companies in Khosla Ventures' portfolio offer valuable insights into the investment process. In this section, we'll explore some key facts about these companies.

BioAge Labs, for instance, was first invested in on January 24, 2019, with a Series B round of $23M. This investment was made nearly five years before their IPO on September 26, 2024.

Credit: youtube.com, IPO mania produced record exits for venture capital in 2019

Rubrik, on the other hand, received its first investment on August 16, 2016, with a Series C round of $61M. This was a significant investment that likely helped the company grow and eventually go public on April 25, 2024.

Here's a list of some notable IPOs and public companies in Khosla Ventures' portfolio:

These companies demonstrate the potential for significant growth and eventual public listing with the right investment and support.

Co-Investors

Co-investors play a significant role in the success of portfolio companies. Over the past 20 years, 3259 investors have co-invested in Khosla Ventures's portfolio companies.

Khosla Ventures often partners with investors who have a history of success. Y Combinator, a16z, and 660 others have invested in rounds before Khosla Ventures, with Y Combinator leading the way in 67 companies.

General Catalyst is a notable co-investor of Khosla Ventures, having partnered with them in 26 companies. This level of collaboration can be a powerful catalyst for growth.

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A total of 1529 investors have invested in Khosla Ventures's portfolio after their investments. This is a testament to the confidence that other investors have in the companies backed by Khosla Ventures.

Here are some of the top co-investors of Khosla Ventures:

  • General Catalyst (26 companies)
  • Founders Fund (14 companies)
  • Goldman Sachs (13 companies)

Unicorns

Unicorns are companies that have reached a valuation of over $1 billion. In Khosla Ventures' portfolio, we can see a few unicorns that have made it to this milestone.

Aven, for instance, has reached a valuation of over $1 billion with its credit cards backed by home equity for consumers. This company was founded in 2019 and has received significant funding through its Series D round.

The other unicorns in Khosla Ventures' portfolio include Physical Intelligence, which provides AI-powered solutions for bringing general-purpose AI into the physical world, and Sakana, a provider of AI research laboratory services.

Here's a list of the unicorns in Khosla Ventures' portfolio:

These unicorns are a testament to the innovative spirit of the companies in Khosla Ventures' portfolio.

Company Investment Stage

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Khosla Ventures generally invests in companies at various stages, but some stages are more common than others.

The majority of their investments are made at the Series A stage, with a whopping 249 investments in this stage alone.

Seed investments are also a significant part of their portfolio, with 174 investments made in this stage.

In contrast, Series C and Series D investments are relatively rare, with only 26 and 18 investments made respectively.

Here's a breakdown of Khosla Ventures' investment stages:

Programs and Partnerships

Khosla Ventures has been quite active in terms of partnerships and programs, having filed plans for three special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) in February 2021 to raise a total of $1.2 billion.

These SPACs aimed to acquire and take public three private companies, demonstrating Khosla Ventures' willingness to invest in new ventures.

One notable example of a successful partnership is Khosla Ventures' backing of Nextdoor, which had its initial public offering (IPO) in November 2021 with a valuation of $4.3 billion.

Credit: youtube.com, Any Successful Entrepreneur Extrapolates the Past | Khosla Ventures Partner Andrew Chung

However, by August 2023, Nextdoor's market cap had fallen to around $810 million, showing the challenges of taking a company public.

Khosla Ventures also partnered with BIOeCON on November 11, 2007, to form KiOR Inc. This partnership shows that Khosla Ventures has been involved in the energy sector for some time.

Khosla Ventures has 2 strategic partners and customers, including Riviera Partners, which it partnered with in 2007.

Here is a list of Khosla Ventures' partners and customers:

  • BIOeCON
  • Riviera Partners

It's worth noting that Khosla Ventures Acquisition Co. announced that it would close business in December 2023, showing that the company is not afraid to adapt to changing circumstances.

Research Containing

Khosla Ventures has been mentioned in 5 CB Insights research briefs, with the most recent mention being on November 1, 2024.

CB Insights Intelligence Analysts have referenced Khosla Ventures in their research, indicating its significance in the industry.

Khosla Ventures is a notable entity in the context of CB Insights research briefs, reflecting its importance in the business world.

Fund and Company Information

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Khosla Ventures has a total of 18 funds, including the Khosla Ventures Opportunity Fund I.

The funds vary in size, with Khosla Ventures Opportunity Fund I closing at $550M in January 2022, and Khosla Ventures VII closing at $1,400M in November 2021.

Here are some key fund details:

Khosla Ventures Seed C is one of the funds that has a limited amount of information available, with the amount and status not specified.

What Is a Venture Partner?

A Venture Partner is someone like Hari Arul, who is the Venture Partner of Khosla Ventures.

They play a key role in a venture capital firm, helping to identify and invest in promising startups.

Hari Arul's experience as a Venture Partner at Khosla Ventures is a great example of this role in action.

Venture Partners often bring valuable industry expertise and connections to the table, helping to guide portfolio companies towards success.

Khosla Ventures has benefited from Hari Arul's Venture Partner expertise, as seen in the firm's investments and partnerships.

Where Is Based?

Contemporary office building featuring glass facade and unique architectural design, reflecting modern industry innovation.
Credit: pexels.com, Contemporary office building featuring glass facade and unique architectural design, reflecting modern industry innovation.

Khosla Ventures is based in Menlo Park, California. I've seen many venture capital firms set up shop in this area, and it's no surprise why - the proximity to Silicon Valley's tech hub is a major draw.

The NAICS codes for Khosla Ventures are 52393, 52, 5239, and 523.

Geographic and Sector Focus

Khosla Ventures focuses on investments in the areas of clean energy, sustainable resources, and climate change mitigation.

They have a strong presence in the US, with a significant number of investments in California-based companies.

Their investment strategy is centered around creating a more sustainable future, which is reflected in their focus on clean energy and climate change mitigation.

They've made notable investments in companies like Better Place, a pioneer in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and SunPower, a leading solar panel manufacturer.

Countries Invest In

Countries like China and India are investing heavily in renewable energy, with China's solar power capacity increasing by over 50% in the past year alone.

Credit: youtube.com, Growth Hotspots: The New Geography of Investment and Growth

The Middle East is also a key region for investment, with countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE focusing on infrastructure development, particularly in transportation and logistics.

India is also prioritizing infrastructure development, with a significant portion of its budget allocated to building new roads, bridges, and airports.

The US is a major player in the technology sector, with Silicon Valley being a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

China is also a significant player in the technology sector, with companies like Alibaba and Tencent driving growth and innovation.

Saudi Arabia is investing in the healthcare sector, with a focus on developing its medical tourism industry.

The UAE is also investing in healthcare, with a focus on developing its pharmaceutical industry and improving healthcare infrastructure.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Venture Capital Finance Innovation

Which Sectors Invest In?

Khosla Ventures has a diverse portfolio, investing in various sectors across the globe. They have a significant presence in the High Tech sector, with 243 investments to date.

Credit: youtube.com, Master Investor Sector Focus: Technology & AI

Their investments in Enterprise Applications number 221, showcasing a strong focus on this area. This highlights the importance of efficient business operations in today's digital landscape.

In the HealthTech sector, Khosla Ventures has made 97 investments, demonstrating their commitment to innovative healthcare solutions. This sector is crucial for improving patient outcomes and streamlining medical processes.

Consumer-focused investments from Khosla Ventures total 89, indicating a strong interest in innovative consumer products and services. This sector is constantly evolving, driven by changing consumer preferences and behaviors.

Artificial Intelligence - Industry Applications is another key area of focus, with 81 investments. This highlights the growing importance of AI in various industries, from manufacturing to finance.

Their investments in other sectors, such as Consumer and HealthTech, are substantial, with 89 and 97 investments respectively.

Comparison and Analysis

Khosla Ventures has a diverse portfolio of investments, with a focus on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and energy.

Credit: youtube.com, Khosla Ventures: Biofuels Gain Liquidity Case Solution & Analysis Thecasesolutions.com

They have invested in over 200 companies across various industries, including healthcare, fintech, and cybersecurity.

One notable investment is in the company Nuro, a robotics startup that's revolutionizing the delivery of groceries and other essentials.

Another notable investment is in the company Zume, a company that's developing sustainable packaging solutions.

Khosla Ventures has also invested in companies like Planet, a satellite imaging company that's providing critical data for climate change research.

Their portfolio companies have collectively raised over $10 billion in funding, a testament to the success of their investment strategy.

Their investments have also created over 10,000 jobs across various industries.

Intriguing read: Notable Capital Ggv

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the owner of Khosla Company?

Khosla Ventures is led by Vinod Khosla, a renowned entrepreneur, investor, and technologist. He is the founder of the firm, which focuses on supporting innovative tech startups.

Maggie Morar

Senior Assigning Editor

Maggie Morar is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in business and finance, she has developed a unique expertise in covering investor relations news and updates for prominent companies. Her extensive experience has taken her through a wide range of industries, from telecommunications to media and retail.

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