A guide to the venture world: 8 funds worth paying attention to

If you're launching a startup, it's important not only what idea you're developing but also who you're walking this path with. There are venture funds that invest not only money but also share experience, connections, and resources. We tell you about the leading players who helped grow hundreds of well-known tech companies.

Published 3 min read

Andreessen Horowitz

One of the most well-known Silicon Valley funds. They invest in artificial intelligence, crypto, biotech, and other modern sectors.

Invested in: OpenAI, GitHub, Coinbase, Slack.

Format: They participate in both early rounds and later stages. They have a strong team and abundant resources for startups.

Recently, they began raising $20 billion for a new AI fund—one of the largest in history.

Y Combinator

The most famous startup accelerator. It has helped many companies grow from scratch.

Alumni: Airbnb, Reddit, Stripe, Twitch.

Format: The program lasts three months. There is also an online format. YC provides seed funding, mentors, and assistance with investor pitches.

They accept teams with an idea or a minimal prototype.

Accel

A fund that loves working with projects at the growth stage. It focuses on stable, long-term companies.

Invested in Facebook, Dropbox, Miro, Atlassian.

Focus: B2B services, SaaS, and infrastructure projects.

They help scale operations, hire people, and enter global markets.

500 Global

An international fund and accelerator that actively works with projects outside the US. It pays special attention to Asia and emerging regions.

Programs are available in more than 80 countries.

Format: Accelerators, mentorship, investments up to $150,000.

Invested in Canva, Udemy, Talkdesk.

This is a good option for teams from the CIS region who want to go global.

Sequoia

One of the most influential venture capital funds in the world, standing at the origins of giants like Apple, Google, and WhatsApp. It has a strong reputation and deep expertise at all stages of growth.

Invested in Apple, Google, PayPal, WhatsApp, YouTube, Stripe, Zoom.

Format: They invest at all stages—from idea to IPO. They provide mentorship, market access, and help with team hiring.

Sequoia is known for its long-term approach: they stay with founders for years, helping build sustainable growth.

Khosla Ventures

A fund founded by Sun Microsystems co-founder Vinod Khosla. It focuses on DeepTech startups and bold ideas that can transform industries.

Invested in DoorDash, Square, Impossible Foods, Instacart.

Focus: AI, biotechnology, healthcare, energy, climate tech.

The fund is suitable for those building not just a product, but a technological transformation.

Kleiner Perkins

One of the oldest Silicon Valley funds. It helped Amazon and Google take off, and today supports startups in sustainability and digital innovation.

Invested in Amazon, Google, Twitter, Slack, Figma.

Focus: Consumer Tech, Healthcare, FinTech, GreenTech.

The fund actively works with founders on product development, branding, and strategic growth, especially in sustainable technologies.

Founders Fund

A fund founded by Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Palantir. It is known for its focus on “revolutionary” startups and an unconventional approach to investing.

Invested in: SpaceX, Palantir, Airbnb, Stripe, Facebook.

Format: They participate at both early and later stages.

Founders Fund supports projects that challenge current paradigms. A good choice for ambitious teams ready to scale big.