a16z speedrun

• Founders at any stage building high-potential startups, seeking backing from a16z.

About this scheme

a16z Speedrun is a comprehensive program offered by a16z (Andreessen Horowitz), a leading venture capital firm renowned for its strategic investments in technology startups. The firm is recognized for its proactive approach in fostering innovation and growth within the tech ecosystem. Since its inception in 2023, the Speedrun initiative has rapidly deployed over $180 million, supporting more than 150 emerging companies, demonstrating its significant impact and commitment to the startup community.

a16z (Andreessen Horowitz) is a prominent Silicon Valley venture capital firm founded by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz. Known for its 'founder-friendly' approach, the firm invests across various stages, from seed to late-stage, in technology companies. Their portfolio spans enterprise, consumer, fintech, crypto, and bio + healthcare. Speedrun is one of their initiatives designed to identify and support the next generation of groundbreaking startups globally.

The program's core offering includes substantial financial backing, providing up to $1 million in direct investment. These funds are wired immediately upon the closing of the investment, ensuring prompt access to capital for founders. In addition to direct funding, participants benefit from up to $5 million in free credits for various services. These credits are typically for essential startup services such as cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud, Azure), payment processing (e.g., Stripe), and developer tools, significantly reducing early operational costs. Furthermore, a16z commits to participating in and potentially leading future funding rounds, providing long-term financial partnership. This long-term perspective means that a16z acts not just as an initial investor but as a committed partner throughout the startup's growth journey, leveraging its extensive network and financial resources to ensure sustained success.

This capital is designed to be versatile, supporting essential startup activities such as talent acquisition, product development, and achieving product-market fit rapidly. The aim is to equip startups with the necessary resources to accelerate their growth trajectory and gain a competitive edge in their respective markets, addressing critical operational needs.

Beyond monetary investment, Speedrun delivers extensive non-monetary support. Founders gain access to expert operators who offer hands-on guidance in critical areas like sales strategies, marketing execution, talent recruitment, fundraising tactics, and visa support. The program also cultivates a strong community, providing access to an exclusive network of elite founders, valuable resources, industry events, and strategic partners. A dedicated Global Founders Program offers specialized assistance for international participants, covering banking, visa processing, and relocation advice. The Global Founders Program is specifically tailored to assist international participants, recognizing the unique challenges they face when establishing a startup in a new ecosystem. This includes practical support with banking setup, navigating complex visa processes, and offering relocation advice to facilitate a smooth transition for founders moving to new geographies to participate or expand their operations.

Who can apply

• The program is open to founders around the world.
• Startups from India are explicitly welcomed to apply.
• The program targets new startups, including those seeking pre-seed funding.

Benefits & funding

• Up to $1M direct investment wired immediately, plus up to $5M in free credits for cloud/developer services.
• A16z may lead future funding rounds.
• Founders gain hands-on guidance from expert operators in sales, marketing, talent, fundraising, and visa support.
• Access to an exclusive network of elite founders, resources, events, and partners.
• Dedicated Global Founders Program offers banking, visa, and relocation advice.

Frequently asked questions