Fundraising Fox

Daanish Khazi

Founder

Co-Founder at Paper Instruments · Founder at TLDC

San Francisco, California, United States

FoundedPaper Instruments · YCTLDC

About

Daanish Khazi is co-founder of Paper Instruments, which develops frontier models and tooling designed for knowledge work, including agent-first office documentation libraries and models tailored for professional services.

Co-Founder at Paper InstrumentsYC X25

Intro paths

YC

Daanish went through Y Combinator (Spring 2025) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.

GP

Their group partner at YC was Diana Hu, General Partner at Y Combinator — the partner who ran Paper Instruments's batch and knows the company first-hand. YC profile ↗

→

In turn, Daanish can intro founders to Paper Instruments's investors below.

Paper Instruments's investors · 1

Y CombinatorSan Francisco · $500K checks · since 2025

Co-founders at Paper Instruments

GBGavin Bains
Gavin BainsCo-Founder
JBJoseph Besgen
Joseph BesgenCo-Founder

Founder at TLDC

Intro paths

→

In turn, Daanish can intro founders to TLDC's investors below.

TLDC's investors · 1

NextGen Venture PartnersSan Francisco · $500K – $2M checks

Experience

  1. Paper InstrumentsCo-Founder, CEOcurrent2025 — presentSan Francisco, California, United States
  2. TrabaAgents2023 — 2025New York, New York, United States
  3. Various StartupsFounder / Advisor2021 — 2023
  4. Roland BergerJunior Consultant2019 — 2021

Frequently asked questions

Who is Daanish Khazi?
Daanish Khazi is co-founder of Paper Instruments, which develops frontier models and tooling designed for knowledge work, including agent-first office documentation libraries and models tailored for professional services.
Where does Daanish Khazi work?
Daanish Khazi is Co-Founder of Paper Instruments and Founder at TLDC.
What companies did Daanish Khazi found?
Daanish Khazi founded Paper Instruments, TLDC.
Where did Daanish Khazi go to school?
Daanish Khazi studied at Northwestern University (Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Computer Science and Philosophy); Y Combinator (X25).

Founder mafias

Y Combinator mafia8,773

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Sam AltmanPresidentFounded Tools for Humanity +3Jessica LivingstonCo-founderFounded Y CombinatorAlexis OhanianYC Summer 2005Founded RedditFred EhrsamYC Summer 2012Founded Nudge +1Matt HuangYC Winter 2011Founded HotspotsTrae StephensYC Winter 2022Founded Pursuit +1

+ 8,766 more

Y Combinator mafia4,716

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Ryan SheaEntrepreneurshipFounded StacksTarek MansourFounded KalshiSuhail DoshiEating beans & riceFounded Playground +1Subomi OluwalanaW22Founded ConvoyDarius "Bubs" MonsefS19Founded Sightbox +3Matthew ScholzFounded Oisin Biotechnologies +3

+ 4,709 more

Northwestern University mafia79

Also came through, then founded or led a company.

Lyle BerkowitzFounded Apollo Health +1Sheridan ClayborneB.S (Dropped Out)Founded Lendtable +1Andy RinkGeneral Surgery Residency ProgramFounded Playgroundpediatrics +1Jeffrey LiuBachelor of Science - BSFounded Guavapass +1Colton DillionMSFounded Quip Network +1Danielle YoesepMaster of Science - MSFounded Hona +1

+ 72 more

Same school

Also attended Northwestern University352

Hannah KrootMarketing Lead at Intel CapitalMikowai AshwillInvestor at Spark CapitalNaomi Pilosof IonitaBoard Partner at Menlo VenturesEric OngInvestor at LightbankBill PescatelloInvestor at LightbankScott JacobsonManaging Director at Madrona Venture Group

+ 346 more

Also attended Y Combinator2,000

Tarek MansourCo-founder & CEO of KalshiSuhail DoshiFounder of Mixpanel; founder of ParticleSubomi OluwalanaCo-founder & CEO of ConvoyMaroof AhmedFounder at Octopus VenturesJustin SwartPartner at Bitkraft Esports VenturesCollin WallaceGeneral Partner at Lobby Capital

+ 1,994 more

Shared employers

Also worked at Paper Instruments3

Max KolowratGeneral Partner at Credo VenturesGavin BainsCo-Founder at Paper InstrumentsJoseph BesgenCo-Founder at Paper Instruments

Also worked at Traba8

Samir KaulInvestor at Khosla VenturesJacob GottliebAssociate at Lavrock VenturesGavin BainsCo-Founder at Paper InstrumentsJoseph BesgenCo-Founder at Paper InstrumentsJames ChenCo-founder at FernstoneLuke ButtonCo-Founder, CEO at Hedge

+ 2 more

Also worked at Various Startups125

Laura BuhlerPartner, Head of Community at Felicis VenturesDaniel SimonVenture Partner at FJ LabsMichelle GonzalezCorporate Vice President and Global Head of M12Shakhina PulatovaInvestor at Storm VenturesAileen AllenPartner at Mercury FundEran SavirFounder & Managing Partner at Savyon Ventures

+ 119 more

Also worked at Roland Berger123

Hannah SealInvestor at Index VenturesGülsah WilkeInvestor at DN CapitalSalim HassadPartner at Newfund CapitalDennis LeDirector, Head of Vietnam at Openspace VenturesAlison ImbertPartner at Partech VenturesManuel QueirozDirector, Retail at Bright Pixel Capital

+ 117 more