Khosla Ventures

Khosla Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2004 by Vinod Khosla, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, and is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. The firm manages over $5 billion and focuses on investing in a diverse range of sectors, including consumer technology, enterprise solutions, education, healthcare, financial services, agriculture, sustainable energy, and robotics. Khosla Ventures provides not only capital but also strategic guidance to entrepreneurs, particularly in early-stage ventures, where it often supports innovative and unconventional projects. The firm seeks to back companies that are driven by breakthrough technologies, with investment sizes ranging from $100,000 to over $20 million. Khosla Ventures maintains a collaborative approach, frequently co-investing with other firms, including Kleiner Perkins, with which it has historical ties.

Alex Bentley

Partner and Investor

Ryno Blignaut

Operating Partner

Alice Brooks

Principal

Peter Buckland

COO, Partner, and Managing Director

Brian Byun

Operating Partner

Catherine Casuga

Operating Partner

Jonathan Chu

Partner and Investor

Jon Chu

Partner

Ece Erdagoz

Principal

Kanu Gulati

Partner

Judy Huang

Operating Partner

Jun Jeon

Principal

Kelly Kinnard

Operating Partner

Alexander Morgan

Partner

Nicholas Moryl

Associate

Arash Rebek

Partner, Capital Formation

Jessy Rivest

Partner and Investor

Jai Sajnani

Partner

Robbie Schwietzer

Operating Partner

Nikita Shamgunov

Partner and Investor

Sven Strohband

Managing Director

Rajesh Swaminathan

Partner and Investor

Adina Tecklu

Partner and Investor

Sandhya Venkatachalam

Partner

David Weiden

Founding Partner and Managing Director

Reze Wong

Partner

Ece Wyrick

Principal and Investor

Adam Coates Ph.D

Operating Partner

Kanupriya Gulati Ph.D

Partner and Investor

Past deals in Speech Recognition

Ava

Series A in 2022
Ava is a mobile application designed to facilitate communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals by providing real-time captioning of group conversations. Utilizing advanced speech and mobile technologies, Ava captures spoken dialogue and translates it into text, color-coding contributions from different speakers for easy identification. This innovative solution allows users to engage fully in social interactions, enhancing their ability to participate in conversations and connect with others. By making group discussions more accessible, Ava aims to create a more inclusive environment for all.

PolyAI

Series A in 2021
PolyAI is a London-based company that develops a machine learning platform for conversational artificial intelligence.

Synchron

Series B in 2021
Synchron Inc., based in San Mateo, California, is a developer of advanced medical devices that facilitate brain-computer interfaces. The company specializes in an implantable stentrode, a minimally invasive device that is delivered to the brain via catheter. This device is equipped with electrode arrays that record neuron signals and interpret brain activity, allowing individuals with motor impairments to regain control over digital devices, prosthetics, and other assistive technologies through thought alone. By bridging the gap between neural signals and device operation, Synchron aims to enhance the quality of life for patients with mobility challenges.

Ava

Seed Round in 2020
Ava is a mobile application designed to facilitate communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals by providing real-time captioning of group conversations. Utilizing advanced speech and mobile technologies, Ava captures spoken dialogue and translates it into text, color-coding contributions from different speakers for easy identification. This innovative solution allows users to engage fully in social interactions, enhancing their ability to participate in conversations and connect with others. By making group discussions more accessible, Ava aims to create a more inclusive environment for all.

Sense

Series A in 2017
Sense is an automated communication and engagement platform specifically designed for enterprise recruiting teams and the staffing industry. The platform aims to enhance talent engagement by providing tools that help reduce turnover and increase re-deployment rates. It offers a real-time, comprehensive view of consultants, enabling organizations to better understand their workforce dynamics. Based in San Francisco, Sense has attracted investment from notable venture capital firms, including Accel, GV, Khosla Ventures, Signia Ventures, and IDG SF.

Syllable

Seed Round in 2017
Syllable is a developer of a text and voice-based platform designed to enhance communication between healthcare providers and patients. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the platform facilitates interactions regarding primary care, specialty referrals, vaccinations, and general practice information. This technology enables patients to access healthcare information and guidance beyond traditional clinical settings, improving overall communication and patient engagement in their healthcare journeys.

Speak

Seed Round in 2017
Speak is a mobile application designed to assist individuals in learning English through interactive conversations focused on real-world scenarios, such as job interviews and asking for directions. The app employs advanced speech recognition technology to help users articulate English words clearly, even with thick accents. This approach not only enhances the user's speaking skills but also contributes to a substantial database of accented English speech, which can improve both its own system and other speech recognition technologies. Speak addresses the significant market demand for effective language learning solutions, as people continue to invest in acquiring English language skills. The team behind Speak has a background in developing accent detection systems and has previously created successful educational products.

PullString

Series C in 2014
PullString, Inc. is an entertainment and technology company that specializes in developing interactive applications for computer conversations with characters. Founded in 2011 and originally named ToyTalk, the company offers the PullString Platform, a comprehensive authoring environment that integrates AI and machine learning to create engaging conversational experiences across various sectors, including entertainment, customer service, and gaming. The platform supports major conversational interfaces such as Facebook Messenger and Amazon Alexa, enabling users to design, prototype, and publish voice applications. PullString has produced notable projects like Hello Barbie and Call of Duty’s Lt Reyes on Messenger, showcasing its ability to blend art and technology in creating innovative communication experiences. Based in San Francisco, PullString continues to expand its impact in the realm of interactive digital conversations.
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