Startup Application — Khosla Ventures Discovery

Step 1 — Founder & Company Information

KV looks for A-teams and founders: entrepreneurs who know what they know, and are the best in the world at it — but are also aware of what they don't know.

"We invest more in people than in a specific plan." — Khosla Ventures

Primary Contact

Full Name *

Role / Title *

Email *

Phone

LinkedIn Profile

Location * City, Country

Step 2 — Problem & Technology

KV focuses on technology-first companies tackling non-obvious, non-mainstream problems. They accept technology risk but seek breakthrough potential.

"We need to understand the key technology risks of your approach, and the economic and market benefits if it is successful."

The Problem

What Problem Are You Solving? * Describe the core problem clearly. Why is it important? Who suffers from it?

Why Has This Problem Not Been Solved Before? What has changed — technically, scientifically, or in the market — that makes your solution now possible?

Your Solution & Technology

KV Insight

"Thrive on technological risk; it's the least expensive and longest lasting advantage you can build." — Vinod Khosla

Describe Your Solution * How does your technology or approach work? What is the core innovation?

What Is Your Core Technical / Scientific Innovation? What specific technology, algorithm, process, or breakthrough underpins your approach?

Is This a Non-Consensus Idea? * KV seeks ideas that appear "crazy" to most of the market. Would most investors pass on this?

Step 2 of 5

Step 3 — Market Opportunity & Traction

For the Main Fund, KV looks for billion-dollar markets and differentiated approaches. At seed stage, they want to understand the characteristics of very large opportunities.

"Seed is about defining the characteristics of very large opportunities. We will take large risks."

Market Size & Potential

Target Market & Size * Describe the total addressable market. Is this a billion-dollar opportunity?

Estimated Market Size (TAM)

Geographic Focus

Who Are Your Competitors or Alternatives? What existing solutions do customers use today? How is your approach fundamentally different?

Current Traction

KV Insight

"At seed stage, we don't need to see a full team or even complete plans. At Main Fund stage, markets, financials, and a critical mass of teams become more important."

Current Stage *

Idea / Research Prototype / MVP Early Revenue Growth Scaling

Traction to Date Users, revenue, partnerships, publications, patents, pilot deployments, LOIs — whatever is relevant.

Go-to-Market Approach How will you reach customers? What is your entry strategy?

Step 3 of 5

Step 4 — Risk Assessment & Funding

KV wants clear identification of key success variables and missing pieces. Be transparent about risks remaining and what you need to mitigate them.

"Planning for risk elimination at the lowest possible cost is the key variable." — Khosla Ventures

Risk & Mitigation

What Are the Key Technology Risks? * What technical or scientific challenges remain? What could go wrong?

What Are the Key Market / Execution Risks? Adoption barriers, regulatory hurdles, competitive threats, go-to-market challenges.

How Will You Eliminate These Risks? Your plan to validate the hypothesis, remove key risks, and reach important milestones.

Funding

KV Insight

"Provide a clear statement of the milestones you'll achieve with financing, your future cash needs to break even, or an explanation of another determinable milestone."

Investment Stage Sought

Amount Seeking

Previous Funding Raised

Existing Investors (if any)

What Milestones Will You Achieve with This Funding? * What specific results or de-risking will the next round enable?

Why Khosla Ventures? KV asks: "Why have you sought out us specifically? What are you looking for from KV?"

Step 4 of 5

Step 5 — Supporting Materials & Submit

Upload a short deck or supporting document if available. This is optional — a well-completed form is sufficient for initial review.

Supporting Documents (Optional)

Short Pitch Deck or One-Pager PDF preferred. Maximum 12 slides. No long business plans.

📄

Click to upload or drag and drop

PDF, PPTX, or DOC · Max 20MB · Optional

Link to Demo, Prototype, or Video If you have a working demo, prototype, or short founder video, share the link.

Additional Links Published research, patent filings, press, GitHub repo, or other relevant links.

Final Questions

How Did You Hear About Apex?

Would You Like to Exhibit at an Apex Master Expo? Apex hosts curated events in 30+ cities worldwide. Exhibiting is separate from this application.

Yes, interested Maybe later No, not at this time

Anything Else? Anything you'd like Apex or venture partners to know that wasn't covered above.

I understand that this application is submitted to the Apex Ecosystem for potential review by invited venture partners, including Khosla Ventures (invited member). Apex does not guarantee contact, feedback, or investment. Submission is free and non-binding.

I agree to receive occasional updates from the Apex Ecosystem (optional).

Important Disclaimer

Apex Business Group Worldwide does not act as an investment broker, placement agent, or funding intermediary. Apex does not represent Khosla Ventures or any investor. Khosla Ventures is an invited member of the Apex Ecosystem. Submission does not guarantee review, response, or investment.

Khosla Ventures may browse submitted applications at their sole discretion. All participation is voluntary and non-binding. Apex does not sell applicant data. This project is part of Apex Master Expos.

Precondition: Submitting this form requires being an Apex Participant. Registration is complimentary and includes 2 Golden Ads.

For questions: [email protected] · Book a call with an Apex Expert · View Schedule

Step 5 of 5

Apply to the Apex Startup Discovery Program

Step 1 — Founder & Company Information

Step 2 — Problem & Technology

Step 3 — Market Opportunity & Traction

Step 4 — Risk Assessment & Funding

Step 5 — Supporting Materials & Submit

Important Disclaimer