a16z Podcast

What happens when a startup becomes a giant—and then has to reinvent itself all over again? In this episode, Martin Casado sits down with Raghu Raghuram (former CEO of VMware) and Jeetu Patel (President and CPO at Cisco) for a deep, tactical conversation on scaling, disruption, and navigating transformation from the inside. They share hard-won lessons from leading two of the most iconic infrastructure companies in tech—through waves like virtualization, cloud, containers, and now AI. They cover: If you're building or leading through a major tech wave, this episode is a playbook. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction 2:02 Weapons of Mass Disruption: Abstractions, Business Models, and Cloud 5:57 Cisco’s Missed Cloud Wave & Resetting for Innovation 6:39 Operating Like a Startup: Speed, Scale, and Leadership 10:00 Go-to-Market Challenges: Fencing Off Innovation 11:04 Organic vs. Inorganic Growth: Lessons from VMware 12:04 The 10x Rule and Competing with Incumbents 14:39 Structuring for Disruption: Two-Pizza Teams and Ideal Customer Profiles 18:43 Storytelling as Strategy: Galvanizing Large Organizations 19:42 The AI Wave: Consumerization and Infrastructure Demands 25:34 Founders vs. Operators: Leading Transformations 31:47 Product-Led Organizations: From Sales to Product Focus 34:35 The Future of Infrastructure: AI, Market Size, and Vertical Integration 39:34 Timing, Market, Team, Product, Brand, and Scale 41:19 Authenticity, Opportunity, and Final Thoughts Resources: Find Martin on X: https://x.com/martin_casado Find Raghu on X: https://x.com/raghuraghuram Find Jeetu on X: https://x.com/jpatel41 Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

In this episode, Erik Torenberg is joined in the studio by Dwarkesh Patel and Noah Smith to explore one of the biggest questions in tech: what exactly is artificial general intelligence (AGI), and how close are we to achieving it? They break down: Along the way, they tackle failed predictions, surprising AI limitations, and the philosophical and economic consequences of building machines that think, and perhaps one day, act, like us. Timecodes: 0:00 Intro 0:33 Defining AGI and General Intelligence 2:38 Human and AI Capabilities Compared 7:00 AI Replacing Jobs and Shifting Employment 15:00 Economic Growth Trajectories After AGI 17:15 Consumer Demand in an AI-Driven Economy 31:00 Redistribution, UBI, and the Future of Income 31:58 Human Roles and the Evolving Meaning of Work 41:21 Technology, Society, and the Human Future 45:43 AGI Timelines and Forecasting Horizons 54:04 The Challenge of Predicting AI's Path 57:37 Nationalization, Geopolitics, and the Global AI Race 1:07:10 Brand and Network Effects in AI Dominance 1:09:31 Final Thoughts Resources: Find Dwarkesh on X: https://x.com/dwarkesh_sp Find Dwarkesh on YT: https://www.youtube.com/c/DwarkeshPatel Subscribe to Dwarkesh’s Substack: https://www.dwarkesh.com/ Find Noah on X: https://x.com/noahpinion Subscribe to Noah’s Substack: https://www.noahpinion.blog/ Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

What really caused the breakdown between tech and media—and what comes next? Erik Torenberg sits down with Balaji Srinivasan (entrepreneur, investor, and author of The Network State) to explore the long-building conflict between Silicon Valley and legacy journalism. Balaji explains how the collapse of traditional media business models gave rise to political capture, clickbait, and adversarial coverage of the tech industry. They discuss why “going direct” is no longer optional, how tech became the villain in establishment narratives, and what it would take to build a new truth infrastructure - from decentralized content creation to cryptographic verification. This episode covers power, distribution, and the future of media, with a signature mix of historical insight, social analysis, and Balaji’s forward-looking frameworks. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction 1:26 The Media vs. Tech Conflict 2:11 The Collapse of Journalism Revenue 2:39 Rise of Wokeness and Political Realignment 6:50 State vs. Network: A New Framework 9:00 The Power Structure of Media Institutions 19:25 The Role of Distribution and the Internet 29:20 The Social War: Red vs. Blue America 30:05 X Day and the Shift in Social Media Power 42:56 Strategies for Technologists: Go Direct 48:36 The Importance of Individual Creators 1:10:00 Decentralized Truth and the Ledger of Record 1:36:00 The Future of Media, Democracy, and Equality 1:37:08 Conclusion & Final Thoughts Resources Find Balaji on X: https://x.com/balajis Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

What happens when AI starts generating content for everyone—and no one wants to watch it? In this episode, MSNBC’s Chris Hayes and ad tech veteran Antonio García Martínez join a16z General Partner, Erik Torenberg to unpack the shifting economics of attention: from the rise of “AI slop” and spammy feeds to the difference between what we want to pay attention to and what platforms push on us. They explore: Based on Chris’s new book The Sirens Call, this is a candid look at what AI might amplify or break in our online lives. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction 1:47 Meet the Guests: Chris Hayes & Antonio Garcia Martinez 3:01 The Economics of Attention & AI Slop 6:38 Acquisition vs. Retention: The Attention Challenge 10:01 Fame, Identity, and Social Media Fragmentation 13:21 The Group Chat Solution & Privacy 16:01 Business Models, Community, and Technology 19:01 Mass Culture, Fragmentation, and the Algorithm 23:01 Ad Tech, Personalization, and Advertising Effectiveness 29:01 The Future: AI, Growth, and Abundance Resources: Find Chris on X: https://x.com/chrislhayes Find Antonio on X: https://x.com/antoniogm Learn more about Chris’ book ‘The Sirens' Call’: https://sirenscallbook.com/ Learn more about Antonio’s book ‘Chaos Monkeys’: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/chaos-monkeys-antonio-garcia-martinez?variant=32207601532962 Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

a16z General Partners Erik Torenberg and Martin Casado sit down with technologist and investor Balaji Srinivasan to explore how the metaphors we use to describe AI—whether as god, swarm, tool, or oracle—reveal as much about us as they do about the technology itself. Balaji, best known for his work in crypto and network states, also brings a deep background in machine learning. Together, the trio unpacks the evolution of AI discourse, from monotheistic visions of a singular AGI to polytheistic interpretations shaped by culture and context. They debate the practical and philosophical: the current limits of AI, why prompts function like high-dimensional programs, and what it really takes to “close the loop” in AI reasoning. This is a systems-level conversation on belief, control, infrastructure, and the architectures that might govern future societies. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction: The Polytheistic AGI Framework 1:46 Personal Journeys in AI and Crypto 3:18 Monotheistic vs. Polytheistic AGI: Competing Paradigms 8:20 The Limits of AI: Chaos, Turbulence, and Predictability 9:29 Platonic Ideals and Real-World Systems 14:10 Decentralized AI and the End of Fast Takeoff 14:34 Surprises in AI Progress: Language, Locomotion, and Double Descent 25:45 Prompting, Verification, and the Age of the Phrase 29:44 AI, Crypto, and the Grounding Problem 34:26 Visual vs. Verbal: Where AI Excels and Struggles 37:19 The Challenge of Markets, Politics, and Adversarial Systems 40:11 Amplified Intelligence: AI as a Force Multiplier 43:37 The Polytheistic Counterargument: Convergence and Specialization 48:17 AI’s Impact on Jobs: Specialists, Generalists, and the Future of Work 57:36 Security, Drones, and Digital Borders 1:03:41 AI, Power, and the Balance of Control 1:06:33 The Coming Anti-AI Backlash 1:09:10 Global Implications: Labor, Politics, and the Future Resources: Find Balaji on X: https://x.com/balajis Find Martin on X: https://x.com/martin_casado Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

On this episode of The Ben & Marc Show, a16z co-founders Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz sit down with Erik Torenberg— General Partner at a16z and founder of the media company Turpentine—to unpack how the internet shattered the old media order and reshaped the way power works in America. What begins as a look at the evolution of media quickly becomes something bigger: a conversation about truth, trust, and the collapse of institutional authority. They explore how social media became both an x-ray and an engine, why authenticity now beats polish, and how the rules of politics, and journalism, have permanently changed. Together, they break down: -Why 2017 marked a structural break between tech and the press -Trump’s real training ground -The tension between objectivity, activism, and “speaking truth to power” -Why podcasters. not pundits, are setting the agenda - How the barbell strategy is reshaping media: short-form virality meets long-form depth With stops at Watergate, the rise of Rogan, the fall of legacy gatekeepers, and the media playbooks behind Obama, Trump, and the Kardashians—this episode explores how we got here, what’s next, and what it means for founders, voters, and anyone trying to build (or tell) a story. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction 0:55 The Evolution of Media: From Centralization to Fragmentation 2:34 The Internet’s Impact on Traditional Media 4:06 Unionization and Technological Change in Media 6:39 Oversupply and Competition in News Organizations 8:44 The Changing Role and Ideology of Journalism 11:46 Speak Truth to Power: Conflicts in Journalism 13:39 The 2016 Election and the Collapse of Media Trust 23:20 Martin Gurri and the Crisis of Authority 31:34 Decentralization: From the 1970s to Social Media 48:06 Trump, Reality TV, and the New Media Playbook 59:10 Drama, Authenticity, and the Barbell Effect in Media 1:16:40 Podcasts, Direct Communication, and the Future of Authority 1:34:48 Advice for Founders and the Importance of Personal Branding 1:37:35 Conclusion & Final Thoughts Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

It can take more than 15 years to permit and build a new mine in the United States - yet nearly every modern technology we rely on, from smartphones to fighter jets to AI data centers, depends on a steady supply of critical minerals. In this episode, Erik Torenberg is joined in the studio by Turner Caldwell, founder of Mariana Minerals, along with American Dynamism general partner Erin Price-Wright and partner Ryan McEntush. Turner spent nearly a decade at Tesla, working his way upstream from factory design to battery materials and mining. Now, he’s building a new kind of mining and refining company - vertically integrated and software-first- designed to meet the demands of our industrial future. We get into why the industry is so broken, what it actually takes to turn rocks into usable materials, and how the U.S. can rebuild its capacity to mine, refine, and manufacture the things that matter most. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction to Critical Minerals 00:45 The Importance of Mining in Modern Technology 00:58 Meet Turner Caldwell and Marianna Minerals 03:02 The Mining and Refining Process 05:10 Challenges in the Mining Industry 07:11 Turner's Journey from Tesla to Marianna 15:31 The Role of AI and ML in Mining 22:00 Geopolitical and Talent Pool Dynamics 23:46 Challenges in Junior Mining Exploration 25:30 Mariana's Product and Approach 25:47 Leveraging Technology in Mining and Construction 28:29 Optimizing Refining Processes with AI 37:31 The Importance of Critical Minerals 41:18 Permitting and Regulatory Challenges 46:08 Future Strategies and International Expansion 46:53 Conclusion and Future Outlook Resources: Find Turner on X :https://x.com/tbc415 Find Erin on X: https://x.com/espricewright Find Ryan on X: https://x.com/rmcentush Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

Is AI the Fourth Pillar of Infrastructure? Infrastructure doesn’t go away — it layers. And today, AI is emerging as a new foundational layer alongside compute, storage, and networking. Erik Torenberg interviews a16z’s Martin Casado, Jennifer Li, and Matt Bornstein breaking down how infrastructure is evolving in the age of AI — from models and agents to developer tools and shifting user behavior. We dive into what infra actually means today, how it differs from enterprise, and why software itself is being disrupted. Plus, we explore the rise of technical users as buyers, what makes infra companies defensible, and how past waves — from the cloud to COVID to AI — are reshaping how we build and invest. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:49 Defining Infrastructure in the AI Era 03:15 The Fourth Pillar: AI's Role in Infrastructure 06:01 Historical Context and Evolution of Infrastructure 08:20 The Impact of AI on Software Development 10:18 Investment Strategies and Market Dynamics 17:02 Developer Tools and AI Integration 20:57 Defensibility in the AI Landscape 22:16 Founders' Intuition and Industry Progress 22:26 Defensibility in AI Infrastructure 24:00 Expansion and Contraction Phases in the Industry 24:35 The Role of Layers in Market Consolidation 27:43 The Future of AI Models and Specialization 29:27 The Decade of AI Agents 29:54 Context Engineering and New Infrastructure 34:23 The Evolution of Software Development 42:13 Horizontal vs. Vertical Integration in AI 43:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Resources: Find Martin on X: https://x.com/martin_casado Find Jennifer on X: https://x.com/JenniferHli Find Matt on X: https://x.com/BornsteinMatt Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

Today we’re sharing an episode from American Optimist featuring Marc Andreessen in conversation with Joe Lonsdale, recorded live at the inaugural Ronald Reagan Economic Forum. They explore one of the most urgent and complex questions of our time: Can AI and robotics catalyze a new era of American industrial strength—and how do we ensure the entire country, including rural communities, shares in the upside? Marc walks through the history of U.S. industrialization, the lessons of tariffs and trade from leaders like McKinley, and how America’s shift to a services-based economy helped fuel our current urban-rural divide. The conversation spans immigration policy, housing, education, energy, and the path to a true AI-powered manufacturing revival—touching on what needs to change and how. This episode is a must-listen for anyone thinking about the future of American productivity, growth, and leadership in the age of AI. Resources: Find Marc on X: https://x.com/pmarca Follow Joe on X: https://x.com/jtlonsdale You can find his writings here: https://blog.joelonsdale.com/ Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

U.S. per capita energy usage peaked in 1973. Since then? Flat. Meanwhile, China’s per capita energy use has grown 9x. Today, AI, EVs, manufacturing, and data centers are driving demand for more electricity than ever—and our grid can’t keep up. In this episode, a16z general partners David Ulevitch and Erin Price-Wright, along with investing partner Ryan McEntush from the American Dynamism team, join us to unpack: – How America’s grid fell behind – Why we "forgot how to build" power infrastructure – The role of batteries, solar, nuclear, and software in reshaping the grid – How AI is both stressing and helping the system – What it’ll take to build a more resilient, decentralized, and dynamic energy future Whether you’re a founder, policymaker, or just someone who wants their lights to stay on, this conversation covers what’s broken—and how to fix it. Resources: Find David on X: https://x.com/davidu Find Erin on X: https://x.com/espricewright Find Ryan on X: https://x.com/rmcentush Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

In this episode, a16z General Partner Martin Casado sits down with Box cofounder and CEO Aaron Levie to talk about how AI is changing not just software, but the structure and speed of work itself. They unpack how enterprise adoption of AI is different from the consumer wave, why incumbents may be better positioned than people think, and how the role of the individual contributor is already shifting from executor to orchestrator. From vibe coding and agent UX to why startups should still go vertical, this is a candid, strategic conversation about what it actually looks like to build and operate in an AI-native enterprise. Aaron also shares how Box is using AI internally today, and what might happen when agents outnumber employees. Resources: Find Aaron on X: https://x.com/levie Find Martin on X: https://x.com/martin_casado Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

This week on the a16z Podcast, we're sharing a feed drop from Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu, featuring a wide-ranging conversation with a16z cofounder Ben Horowitz. Artificial intelligence isn't just a tool — it's a tectonic shift. In this episode, Ben joins Tom to break down what AI really is (and isn't), where it's taking us, and why it matters. They dive into the historical parallels, the looming policy battles, and how innovation cycles have always created — not destroyed — opportunity. From the future of work and education to the global AI race and the role of blockchain in preserving trust, Ben shares hard-won insights from decades at the forefront of technological disruption. It's a masterclass in long-term thinking for anyone building, investing, or navigating what's coming next. Resources: Listen to more episodes of Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu: https://link.chtbl.com/impacttheory Watch full conversations on YouTube: youtube.com/tombilyeu Follow Tom on Instagram: @tombilyeu Learn more about Impact Theory: impacttheory.com Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction to Impact Theory with Ben Horowitz 01:12 The Disruptive Power of AI 02:01 Understanding AI and Its Implications 04:19 The Future of Jobs in an AI-Driven World 06:52 Human Intelligence vs. Artificial Intelligence 10:31 The Role of AI in Society 21:41 AI and the Future of Work 35:07 The AI Race: US vs. China 41:25 The Importance of Blockchain in an AI World 44:26 Government Regulation and Blockchain 45:16 The Need for Stablecoins 45:45 Energy Challenges and AI 49:53 Market Structure Bill and Token Regulation 53:51 Blockchain's Trust and Adoption 01:04:17 Elon Musk's Government Involvement 01:12:03 Historical Figures and Modern Parallels 01:18:41 AI and Creativity in Business 01:21:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures

a16z Crypto General Partners Ali Yahya, Arianna Simpson, and Erik Torenberg break down what’s actually working in crypto today - starting with the rise of stablecoins as a real-world payments layer. They discuss how stablecoins are being adopted by companies like Stripe and SpaceX, why regulatory shifts are opening new doors for crypto startups, and how AI and crypto are beginning to intersect. They also cover: A grounded conversation on what’s real, what’s hype, and where crypto’s finally finding traction. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction to Crypto and AI 00:16 The Rise of Stable Coins 00:40 Current State of Crypto 02:02 Deep Dive into Stable Coins 07:39 Institutional and Consumer Adoption 22:09 The Future of Crypto and AI 29:13 Misconceptions and Policy Changes 33:06 Smart Contract Platforms 36:14 Closing Thoughts Resources: Find Ali on X: https://x.com/alive_eth Find Arianna on X: https://x.com/AriannaSimpson Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures

On this episode, taken from The Ben & Marc Show, a16z co-founders Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz dive deep into the unfiltered story behind the founding of Andreessen Horowitz—and how they set out to reinvent venture capital itself. For the first time, Marc and Ben walk through the origins, strategy, and philosophy behind building a world-class venture capital firm designed for the future—not just the next fund. They reveal how they broke industry norms with a bold brand, a full-stack support model, and a long-term commitment to backing exceptional builders—anchored in the radical idea that founders deserved real support, not just checks. Joining them to guide the conversation is Erik Torenberg—Andreessen Horowitz’s newest General Partner—who makes his Ben & Marc Show moderating debut. Erik is a technology entrepreneur, investor, and founder of the media company Turpentine. Together, they explore: - Why traditional VC needed reinvention - How a16z scaled with a platform model, not a partner model - The "barbell strategy" reshaping venture capital today - Why venture remains a human craft, even in the age of AI Timecodes: 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - Why Traditional Venture Capital Was Broken 03:05 - Marc on Discovering VC and Its Legends 05:12 - Surviving the Dot-Com Crash and Angel Investing Collapse 07:05 - Helping Founders Raise Venture / Fix VC Relationships 08:47 - The a16z Strategy: Building a Support Platform 12:07 - First Fund Wins: Skype, Instagram, Slack, Okta 12:50 - Building a 'World-Dominating Monster' 15:00 - The Sushi Boat VC Problem 18:07 - Treating LPs Differently 21:40 - Marc and Ben's Working Relationship 23:30 - Updating a16z’s Media Strategy for the Social Era 27:20 - History of the Decentralized Media Environment 30:36 - Decline of Corporate Brands and Going Direct 36:06 - Naming the Firm 40:13 - Building the a16z 'Cinematic Universe' of Talent 42:16 - Creating a Federated Model 51:02 - Deciding to Market the Firm 53:26 - Recruiting General Partners 56:33 - Evolution to Full-Stack Companies 01:03:53 - The Barbell Theory: The Death of Mid-Sized VCs 01:11:50 - Why Venture Capital Should Stay Overfunded 01:19:50 - When a16z Knew It Could Be Top Tier 01:25:58 - Venture Capital is an Art, Not a Science Resources: Marc on X: https://twitter.com/pmarca Marc’s Substack: https://pmarca.substack.com/ Ben on X: https://twitter.com/bhorowitz Erik on X: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Erik's Substack: https://eriktorenberg.substack.com/

Taken from the AI + a16z podcast, Arcjet CEO David Mytton sits down with a16z partner Joel de la Garza to discuss the increasing complexity of managing who can access websites, and other web apps, and what they can do there. A primary challenge is determining whether automated traffic is coming from bad actors and troublesome bots, or perhaps AI agents trying to buy a product on behalf of a real customer.Joel and David dive into the challenge of analyzing every request without adding latency, and how faster inference at the edge opens up new possibilities for fraud prevention, content filtering, and even ad tech.Topics include: As David puts it, lower inference costs are key to letting apps act on the full context window — everything you know about the user, the session, and your application. Follow everyone on social media: David Mytton Joel de la Garza Check out everything a16z is doing with artificial intelligence here, including articles, projects, and more podcasts. Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

What if now is the best time in decades to start a company? In this episode, taken from Speedrun, a16z’s accelerator for early-stage founders, Marc Andreessen joins games General Partner Jonathan Lai to make the case that we’re entering a once-in-a-generation window for innovation. From the rise of AI to the cultural and policy shifts reshaping the global economy, Marc explains why the next four years present a rare opportunity for builders to seize the moment. Along the way, they discuss market timing, platform shifts, and what sets successful founders apart - including lessons from Steve Jobs, insights into AI’s impact on storytelling and games, and why being “too early” can feel just like being wrong. Timecodes 0:00 Lessons from Steve Jobs on Leadership & Innovation 2:27 The AI Boom: How It’s Changing Everything 5:52 Market Timing: The #1 Factor in Startup Success 8:13 Why the Next 4 Years Are Critical for Tech 11:30 AI & The Future of Gaming, Storytelling & Virtual Worlds 14:28 Why Some Startups Fail While Others Explode 17:11 The Role of Founders in the AI Era Resources: Find Marc on X: https://x.com/pmarca Find Jonathan on X: https://x.com/Tocelot Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

Why does seriousness feel radical today? a16z General Partner Katherine Boyle joins The LaBossiere Podcast to explore what it means to build for the national interest—and why that starts with purpose. Katherine, part of the American Dynamism team at a16z, shares how we got to a place where public service became uncool, how tech can help rebuild trust in government, and why suffering, friction, and responsibility are essential ingredients for growth. From the collapse of civic duty to the rise of meme-driven politics, they dig into the cultural forces shaping America—and the opportunity to reclaim a sense of mission. They also discuss why Silicon Valley is more idea than place, what journalists and investors have in common, and why being laughed at might be the clearest sign you’re on the right path. Timecodes: 0:00 - Intro 4:48 The Decline in Public Service 7:47 Making Government Cool Again 10:07 Silicon Valley’s Aversion to National Security 13:15 Positive Sum vs Zero Sum Cultures 16:27 China, Authoritarianism, and Doing Hard Things 19:27 What Makes America Special? 23:03 Silicon Valley and the “Real Economy” 26:28 Investing in Mature Markets 29:08 Vanna White and The Wheel of Fortune 30:27 Journalism and Loneliness 32:52 - Time and Suffering 38:10 - Seriousness and Purpose 41:11 - Is Culture Downstream of Technology? 42:48 - Propaganda and Coolness as a Strategic Asset 44:40 - Florida, Texas, and Regulatory Arbitrage 47:51 - DC, Silicon Valley, and Florida 50:20 - What Should More People Be Thinking About Resources: Find Katherine on X: https://x.com/KTmBoyle Find Alex on X: https://x.com/adlabossiere Listen to more from The LaBossiere Podcast: YouTube: ⁠https://bit.ly/3QDLQFt⁠ Apple: ⁠https://apple.co/478Be6M⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://spoti.fi/3sfiFiE⁠ Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

In this episode of ‘This Week in Consumer’, a16z General Partners Anish Acharya and Erik Torenberg are joined by Steven Sinofsky - Board Partner at a16z and former President of Microsoft’s Windows division - for a deep dive on how today’s AI moment mirrors (and diverges from) past computing transitions. They explore whether we’re at the “Windows 3.1” stage of AI or still in the earliest innings, why consumer adoption is outpacing developer readiness, and how frameworks like partial autonomy, jagged intelligence, and “vibe coding” are shaping what gets built next. They also dig into where the real bottlenecks lie, not in the tech, but in how companies, products, and people work. Resources: Find Anish on X: https://x.com/illscience Find Steven on X: https://x.com/stevesi Watch Andrej Karpathy’s talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCEmiRjPEtQ Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

What if virality wasn’t a tactic — but the entire product? In this episode, a16z General Partners Erik Torenberg and Bryan Kim sit down with Roy Lee, cofounder and CEO of Cluely, one of the most talked-about consumer AI startups of 2025. Cluely didn’t raise a mega round or drop a feature suite to get traction - it broke through by turning distribution into design: launching viral short-form videos, pushing polarizing product drops, and building in public with speed and spectacle. We cover: – Why virality is Cluely’s moat – Building a brand-native AI interface – The Gen Z founder mindset – What most startups get wrong about attention – Why creators are the new product managers – Cluely’s long-term vision for ambient AI Cluely is a glimpse at the next generation of startups, where the line between product and performance is disappearing. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction 01:07 Early Success 02:02 Roy's Journey: From College Kid to Tech Universe 04:37 The Turning Point: Harvard and Beyond 06:57 Building Cluey: The Early Days 08:27 The Viral Strategy: Mastering Algorithms 13:56 The 50 Interns Experiment 15:30 The Investment Journey: Roy and Bryan's Partnership 19:20 Momentum as a Moat: The Future of AI Companies 20:32 The Evolution of Product Strategy in the AI Era 21:19 The Importance of Speed and Adaptability 22:48 The Role of Distribution in Modern Startups 24:26 Roy's Journey and Product Development 25:25 The Power of User Data and Feedback 26:58 Innovative Marketing and Distribution Tactics 28:25 The Future of AI Integration and Translucent Overlays 32:15 Controversial Marketing and Authenticity 34:01 The Impact of Radical Transparency 36:42 The Changing Landscape of Professionalism 38:26 Concluding Thoughts and Future Vision Resources: Find Roy on X: https://x.com/im_roy_lee Find Bryan on X: https://x.com/kirbyman01 Learn more about Cluely: http://cluely.com/ Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

In this episode, general partner Chris Dixon joins economist and author Tyler Cowen to explore the themes behind Chris’s book, Read, Write, Own: Building the Next Era of the Internet. They trace the internet’s evolution from open, decentralized beginnings to today’s consolidated platforms—and ask: how can we build something better? From stablecoins, tokenized payments, and open blockchains to AI's impact on coding, media, and politics, this wide-ranging conversation dives deep into how technologies like crypto and AI could help redistribute power online and reshape the future of ownership and innovation. The two also debate: Listen to similar conversations, listen to web3 with a16z: https://web3-with-a16z.simplecast.com/ Resources: Listen to Conversations with Tyler: https://conversationswithtyler.com/ Find Chris on X: https://x.com/cdixon Find Tyler on X: https://x.com/tylercowen Join a16z’s Crypto Substack:https://a16zcrypto.substack.com/ Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.