a16z
Andreessen Horowitz
Description
Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) is one of the world's leading venture capital firms with over $90 billion in assets under management. Founded in 2009 by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, a16z invests across the full lifecycle from seed to growth stage in transformative technology companies.
For ambitious builders, a16z offers substantial capital ($1M-$100M+ depending on stage), strategic guidance from former founders and operators, and access to their extensive network of portfolio companies, executives, and follow-on investors. The firm is stage-agnostic and invests across AI, bio+healthcare, consumer, crypto, enterprise, fintech, games, infrastructure, and American Dynamism (defense, aerospace, public safety, manufacturing).
With a team of 600+ people including former founders, CEOs, and CTOs, a16z provides comprehensive support through dedicated operating teams covering talent, marketing, regulatory, technical infrastructure, and business development.
Eligibility
Investment Focus
- Technology Areas: AI/ML, crypto/web3, enterprise SaaS, fintech, bio+healthcare, consumer apps, gaming, infrastructure
- American Dynamism: Defense tech, aerospace, public safety, housing, education, advanced manufacturing
- Stage: Seed through growth (Series A, B, C, D+)
- Geography: Primarily US-based companies, expanding globally
Company Criteria
- High-growth technology startups with large addressable markets
- Strong founding teams with domain expertise and technical capabilities
- Clear path to significant revenue and market leadership
- Scalable business models (software, platforms, networks)
- Transformative potential in their industry
Stage Preferences
- Seed: $1M-$5M (early product-market fit, strong team)
- Series A: $5M-$20M (revenue traction, proven product)
- Series B+: $20M-$100M+ (scaling, market leadership)
- Growth: $100M+ (late-stage, pre-IPO companies)
Ideal Fit
✓ Excellent for:
- B2B SaaS with strong unit economics
- AI/ML infrastructure and applications
- Crypto/web3 protocols and applications
- Defense and aerospace technology
- Healthcare technology and biotech
- Marketplace and network businesses
- Companies with technical moats
✗ Poor fit if:
- Services or consulting business model
- No clear path to venture-scale returns
- Small addressable market (<$1B)
- Heavily regulated without clear path forward
- Pre-product with no validation
Application Process
Investment Process
| Step | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Warm introduction | — | Via portfolio founders, partners, or trusted network |
| Initial meeting | 1-2 weeks | Pitch deck review, founder meeting, product demo |
| Partner discussion | 1 week | Internal evaluation and partner interest |
| Due diligence | 2-4 weeks | Product, team, market, technical, financial analysis |
| Partnership decision | 1-2 weeks | Full partnership vote on investment |
| Term sheet | 3-5 days | Investment terms and structure |
| Legal & closing | 2-4 weeks | Documentation and funding |
Total timeline: Typically 6-12 weeks from introduction to close
How to Approach
- Best path: Warm introduction from portfolio founder, existing investor, or trusted connection
- Alternative: Direct outreach via partner-specific channels (most partners are active on X/Twitter and LinkedIn)
- Research: Study portfolio companies in your space and identify the most relevant partner
- Portfolio connection: Connect with a16z portfolio companies who can make introductions
Investment Structure
- Seed rounds: $1M-$5M, typically leading or co-leading
- Series A: $5M-$20M, usually leading with board seat
- Growth rounds: $20M-$100M+, leading or participating
- Ownership target: Varies by stage, typically 10-20% at Series A
- Support: Full operating platform access regardless of investment size
What They Look For
- Team: Technical depth, domain expertise, execution capability, coachability
- Market: Large addressable market ($10B+), clear customer pain, timing
- Product: Technical innovation, defensibility, early traction or validation
- Traction: Varies by stage - seed needs validation, Series A needs revenue, growth needs scale
- Vision: Ambitious mission with potential for generational company
Contact
Primary Resources
Key Practice Areas
- Apps: Consumer and prosumer applications
- Infrastructure: Cloud, developer tools, data infrastructure
- Bio + Health: Digital health, biotech, healthcare services
- Crypto: Web3, DeFi, NFTs, blockchain infrastructure
- American Dynamism: Defense, aerospace, manufacturing, public safety
- Games: Gaming, entertainment, metaverse
- Fintech: Financial services, payments, banking
Content & Research
Recent Funds (2026)
- Growth Fund: $6.75B
- Apps Fund: $1.7B
- Infrastructure Fund: $1.7B
- American Dynamism: $1.176B
- Bio + Health: $700M
- Total raised 2026: $15B+ across all funds
Notable Portfolio Companies
Airbnb, Coinbase, GitHub, Instagram, Lyft, Oculus, Pinterest, Slack, Stripe, Databricks, OpenAI (via Microsoft), Anduril, Shield AI, and 1,000+ others
Operating Platform
- Talent: Executive recruiting, team building
- Marketing: Brand, growth, communications
- Regulatory: Government relations, policy advocacy
- Technical: CTO network, technical advisory
- Business Development: Corporate partnerships, customer introductions
- Financial: CFO network, fundraising support