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KohFounders

We help entrepreneurs start and build their game changing companies.

New York, NY, USA

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Description

KohFounders is a boutique venture capital firm that operates as a formation-stage fund, specializing in backing mission-driven entrepreneurs during the earliest phases of company creation. Based in New York, the firm is known for its focus on startups located outside the traditional Silicon Valley hub, prioritizing "domestic emerging ecosystems" across the United States. 
  • Formation to Seed: KohFounders identifies as a "formation fund," often partnering with founders before they have raised any institutional capital.
  • Pre-Seed Specialist: It frequently acts as a pre-seed investor, helping first-time entrepreneurs launch and build their initial products. 
  • Direct Application: Founders can apply directly through the "Become a Founder" portal on the KohFounders website. The application typically looks for deep domain expertise and a clear mission to solve a large-scale problem.

Eligibility

  • Geography: Primarily focuses on entrepreneurs outside of the Bay Area. The firm has partnered with founders in cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Nashville, and Philadelphia.
  • Sector Focus: The firm is active in several high-impact technology verticals, including:
    • HealthTech & Digital Healthcare
    • EdTech, FinTech, and PropTech
    • ClimateTech and AgTech
    • AI, IoT, and Frontier Tech
    • Logistics and Transportation 

Process

  • Hands-On Mentorship: The investment process is highly advisory. The team provides expertise in product, technology, design, fundraising, go-to-market (GTM) strategy, and recruiting.
  • Team Vetting: They look for "scrappy, passionate, and relentless" founders. An ideal founding team has a blend of deep domain experience and functional skills in development, sales, and marketing.

What an Applicant can Obtain

  • Strategic Capital: Funding from a syndicate of investors that have collectively seen exits with equity values exceeding $3.5 billion.
  • Early Validation: A partnership with a fund that has successfully co-invested with Tier-1 firms like Andreessen Horowitz, Spark Capital, and General Catalyst.
  • Operational Depth: Direct assistance in navigating the "zero-to-one" phase of building a company, from initial design to corporate governance.