a16z Podcast

In this conversation from Lenny’s Podcast, Ben Horowitz joins Lenny to discuss the psychological muscle every founder needs, why hesitation can be fatal for CEOs, when it’s time to replace a founder, and how to normalize failure while building confidence. They also explore the Databricks founding story, investing in Adam Neumann after WeWork, whether AI is in a bubble, where the real opportunities lie, and Ben’s work with the Paid in Full Foundation supporting hip-hop pioneers. The result is a candid look at leadership, product management, and what it takes to build enduring companies. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction 00:22 The Psychology of Leadership & Decision-Making 02:41 Leadership lessons from Shaka Senghor 07.56 Struggle, Pain, and Growth as a CEO 10:15 Running toward fear and why hesitation kills companies 19:35 Who shouldn’t start a company 22:36 The Databricks story: thinking bigger 24:54 Managerial leverage and CEO psychology 28:06 When founders should be replaced as CEOs 31:20 Normalizing failure for CEOs 37:57 Counterintuitive lessons about building companies 42:31 “Good Product Manager/Bad Product Manager” 48:21 Product managers as leaders 51:16 Why a16z invested in Adam Neumann after WeWork 56:23 Is AI in a bubble? 01:02:43 The biggest opportunities in AI 01:12:51 Why U.S. leadership in AI matters 01:18:53 The Paid in Full Foundation for hip-hop pioneers 01:23:18 Lightning round: book recommendations, products, and life mottos Resources: Find Ben on X: https://x.com/bhorowitz Find Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/behorowitz/ Watch more of Lenny’s Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@LennysPodcast Check out Lenny’s newsletter here: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com Stay Updated: Find a16z on X: https://x.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX?si=3E8B3qT9TyiwAHJ7JnaKbg Listen to the a16z Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://twitter.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.

The $13T U.S. mortgage market serves 50M homeowners but still runs on decades-old software. In this episode, a16z GP Angela Strange hosts Tim Mayopoulos (ex-CEO of Fannie Mae and ex-president of Blend), Mike Yu (co-founder and CEO of Vesta), and Andrew Wang (co-founder and CEO of Valon) to unpack why standardization and regulation slow change, and how modern loan-origination and servicing platforms, cleaner data, and AI can cut costs, boost transparency, and reduce errors. They also discuss policy levers that could speed innovation and what a true one-tap mortgage could look like. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction 00:59 The Scale and Structure of the US Mortgage Market 01:33 Why Mortgage Tech is Slow to Change 02:00 Challenges of Standardization and Regulation 03:41 The Human Side of Home Buying 07:43 Old Software and Its Impact on Homeowners 11:16 Data Transparency and Capital Markets 13:17 Building New Mortgage Infrastructure: LOS and Servicing 16:22 Operational Challenges and Opportunities in Servicing 22:04 Driving Digital Adoption at Fannie Mae 25:15 Modernizing Data and Appraisals 28:27 Core Replacement vs. Wrappers: Tech Strategies 35:29 AI in Mortgage: Today and Tomorrow 40:42 AI, Regulation, and the Future of Compliance 43:54 Advice for Lenders Preparing for an AI Future 47:49 Visions for the Future of Mortgages Resources: Find Angela on X: https://x.com/astrange Find Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-j-mayopoulos-56972a45/ Find Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wangandrewd/ Find Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeyu1/ Stay Updated: Find a16z on X: https://x.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX?si=3E8B3qT9TyiwAHJ7JnaKbg Listen to the a16z Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://twitter.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 do some consumer products explode into networks that reshape the internet, while others fade away? Today on the podcast, a16z general partners Anish Acharya and Chris Dixon take on that question. Anish invests in AI-native consumer products and the next wave of consumer tech. Chris is best known for his work in Web3 and network economies, and he’s also led some of a16z’s biggest consumer bets. Together, they cover the history and power of consumer networks, the exponential forces that shape how they grow, and what it all means for founders building in the age of AI. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction 00:43 The Power of Networks in Tech 02:19 Moore’s Law, Composability, and Network Effects 06:39 Building Networks: Tools vs. Networks 10:49 Brand, Pricing, and Consumer Software Trends 14:33 Movements, Communities, and Niche Markets 20:02 Decentralization, AI, and the Open Web 24:45 Platform Shifts and the Idea Maze 29:55 Native vs. Isomorphic Technologies 36:14 Open Source, Policy, and the Future of AI 42:03 Closing Thoughts & Outro Resources: Find Chris on X: https://x.com/cdixon Find Anish on X: https://x.com/illscience 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/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 collides with salesmanship, streaming-era sports, and healthcare? In this episode, Erik Torenberg is joined by Mark Cuban, entrepreneur, Dallas Mavericks co-owner, and founder of Cost Plus Drugs. Topics include fiery group chats and how dissent sharpens thinking, the sales playbook of modern politics, and concrete fixes for U.S. healthcare like ending PBM opacity, publishing real prices, and government-backed patient financing. Mark also explains how AI is pushing media from “social” to algorithmic, why he expects millions of models, and why ESOPs are an underrated wealth engine. He shares what he’d build today and weighs in on NBA economics under the new collective bargaining agreement. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction 00:47 Salesmanship, Politics, and Social Media 04:05 AI, Algorithms, and the Future of Media 06:29 Fragmentation of Social Platforms 09:04 Political Messaging & Economic Populism 12:05 Wealth, Equity, and Employee Ownership 16:39 AI’s Impact on Education and Healthcare 21:32 Fixing the US Healthcare System 29:39 Entrepreneurship in the Age of AI 33:38 Business Success, Sports, and Investments 35:32 NBA Economics and Team Building 50:44 Personal Priorities & Closing Thoughts Resources: Find Mark on X: https://x.com/mcuban 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.

Who’s speaking up for startups in Washington, D.C.? In this episode, Matt Perault (Head of AI Policy, a16z) and Colin McCune (Head of Government Affairs, a16z) unpack the “Little Tech Agenda” for AI- why AI rules should regulate harmful use, not model development; how to keep open source open; the roles of the federal government vs states in regulating AI; and how the U.S. can compete globally without shutting out new founders. Timecodes: 0:00 – Introduction 1:12 – Defining the Little Tech Agenda 4:40 – Challenges for Startups vs. Big Tech 6:37 – Principles of Smart AI Regulation 9:55 – History of AI Policy & Regulatory Fears 19:26 – The Role of Open Source and Global Competition 23:45 – Motivations Behind Policy Approaches 26:40 – Debates on Regulating Use vs. Development 35:15 – Federal vs. State Roles in AI Policy 39:24 – AI Policy and U.S.–China Competition 40:45 – Current Policy Landscape & Action Plans 42:47 – Moratoriums, Preemption, and Political Dynamics 50:00 – Looking Forward: The Future of AI Policy 56:16 – Conclusion & Disclaimers Resources: Read the Little Tech Agenda: https://a16z.com/the-little-tech-agenda/ Read ‘Regulate AI Use, Not AI Development : https://a16z.com/regulate-ai-use-not-ai-development/ Read Martin’s article ‘Base AI Policy on Evidence, Not Existential Angst: https://a16z.com/base-ai-policy-on-evidence-not-existential-angst/ Read ‘Setting the Agenda for Global AI Leadership’: https://a16z.com/setting-the-agenda-for-global-ai-leadership-assessing-the-roles-of-congress-and-the-states/ Read ‘The Commerce Clause in the Age of AI”: https://a16z.com/the-commerce-clause-in-the-age-of-ai-guardrails-and-opportunities-for-state-legislatures/ Find Matt on X: https://x.com/MattPerault Find Collin on X: https://x.com/Collin_McCune

Stainless founder Alex Rattray joins a16z partner Jennifer Li to talk about the future of APIs, SDKs, and the rise of MCP (Model Context Protocol). Drawing on his experience at Stripe—where he helped redesign API docs and built code-generation systems—Alex explains why the SDK is the API for most developers, and why high-quality, idiomatic libraries are essential not just for humans, but now for AI agents as well. They dive into: Timecodes: 0:00 – Introduction: APIs as the Dendrites of the Internet 1:49 – Building API Platforms: Lessons from Stripe 3:03 – SDKs: The Developer’s Interface 6:16 – The MCP Model: APIs for AI Agents 9:23 – Designing for LLMs and AI Users 13:08 – Solving Context Window Challenges 16:57 – The Importance of Strongly Typed SDKs 21:07 – The Future of API and Agent Experience 24:45 – Lessons from Leading API Companies 26:14 – Outro and Disclaimers Resources: Find Alex on X: https://x.com/rattrayalex Find Jennifer on X: https://x.com/JenniferHli 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.

Taken from The Oprah Podcast, this special episode brings together Shaka Senghor, a16z cofounder Ben Horowitz, and Oprah Winfrey for a powerful conversation on resilience and transformation. Shaka, a resilience expert, motivational speaker, and bestselling author of Writing My Wrongs, shares his journey from incarceration to redemption along with insights from his new book, How to Be Free. Full of hard-earned wisdom and practical tools, it’s a guide for anyone seeking freedom in their own life. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction 1:30 Shaka’s Journey: From Prison to Freedom 4:10 The Power of Narrative and Mindset 6:10 Active Journaling & Writing My Wrongs 8:45 Escaping Life’s Hidden Prisons 10:00 The Role of Forgiveness 16:40 Healing Family Relationships 21:00 Unconditional Forgiveness & True Freedom 22:40 Resilience as a Spiritual Principle 24:15 Mentorship & Meeting Ben Horowitz 28:55 Lessons on Success and Failure 30:20 The Meaning of a Pardon 31:50 Life After Prison: Finding Joy in Freedom 32:30 Advice for Listeners: How to Begin Your Own Journey 35:15 Closing Thoughts Resources: Find Shaka on X: https://x.com/ShakaSengho Find Ben on X: https://x.com/bhorowitz Find Oprah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oprahpodcast/ Listen to the full podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0tEVrfNp92a7lbjDe6GMLI https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oprah-podcast/id1782960381 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 non-consensus investing overrated—or the secret to venture returns? a16z General Partner Erik Torenberg is joined by Martín Casado (General Partner, a16z) and Leo Polovets (General Partner, Humba Ventures) to unpack the debate that lit up venture Twitter/X: should founders and VCs chase consensus, or run from it? They explore what “consensus” really means in practice, how market efficiency shapes venture outcomes, why most companies fail from indigestion, not starvation, and the risks founders face when they’re too far outside consensus. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction 01:04 Defining Consensus and Market Efficiency 06:30 The Role of Hot Rounds and Market Signals 10:25 Founder Perspective: Risks of Non-Consensus 13:19 Investor Perspective: Indigestion vs. Starvation 18:28 Market Cycles & Sector Hype 23:55 The Evolution of Venture Market Efficiency 26:29 Case Studies & Personal Anecdotes 33:02 Fund Size, Ownership, and the Impact on Strategy 51:40 The Future of Venture: Multi-Stage vs. Seed Funds Resources: Find Leo on X: https://x.com/lpolovets 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.

Jack Altman sits down with Martin Casado, General Partner at a16z, to unpack the shifting dynamics of venture capital and why media matters more than ever. They cover a16z’s evolution from generalists to specialized platforms, the rise of AI infrastructure, and why today’s fiercest battles are often for talent, not market share. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction 0:27 Importance of Media for VC 3:50 Evolution of a16z 7:00 Specialization 10:32 Value of Distribution 13:16 Staying Power in Infrastructure 19:49 The Conflicts Dynamic 26:32 State of Play in AI 30:48 The Future of Coding 34:58 Significance of Open Source 39:48 Marc Andreessen’s Leadership 44:02 The Only Sin in VC 48:37 Scaling a Lot of Board Seats Resources: Listen to more from Uncapped: https://linktr.ee/uncappedpod Find Jack on X: https://x.com/jaltma Find Uncapped on X: https://x.com/uncapped_pod 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.

What if the future of media isn’t controlled by algorithms or legacy institutions—but by independent voices building directly with their audiences? In this episode, Erik Torenberg is joined by Chris Best, cofounder and CEO of Substack, along with a16z general partners Katherine Boyle and Andrew Chen. We trace the origin story of Substack and its cultural impact, including how it reinvented the business model for independent media. We also explore the evolution of blogging, the rebundling of media, and what the future holds as attention becomes the scarcest resource. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction 03:50 Origins of Substack 06:29 The Evolution of Blogging & Media Models 09:15 Direct Audience Connection & Platform Independence 10:57 Vision for Substack & The Role of Algorithms 21:06 Business Models: Ads, Subscriptions, and AI 26:10 The Scarcity of Attention & Value of Good Content 27:45 Unbundling, Rebundling, and the Future of Media Companies 37:12 Academia, Books, and Changing Content Formats 44:31 Substack’s Next Phase & Closing Thoughts Resources: Find Chris on Substack: https://cb.substack.com/ Find Chris on X: https://x.com/cjgbest Find Andrew Chen on Substack: https://andrewchen.substack.com/ Find Andrew on X: https://x.com/andrewchen Find Katherine on X: https://x.com/KTmBoyle Find Katherine on Substack: https://boyle.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.

Venture capital has powered companies like Facebook and TikTok—but what if that same urgency fueled America’s defense and industrial base? Katherine Boyle, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz and cofounder of the firm’s American Dynamism practice, argues this is the biggest business opportunity of our time. In this conversation from The Shawn Ryan Show, Boyle discusses the rise of defense tech startups, why optimism drives her work, and how a new generation of engineers and founders is rethinking innovation and patriotism in America. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction 0:41 Patriotism, Optimism, and American Innovation 4:27 Startups vs. Legacy Primes in Defense 10:08 Venture Capital’s Unique Incentives 17:21 Katherine’s Backstory: Family & Upbringing 21:07 The Decline of Community & Family Pillars 23:23 Polarization, Religion, and Social Fabric 26:16 America’s Birth Rate Crisis 29:46 Cultural Shifts and the Family Structure 42:01 Katherine’s Path: Journalism to Venture Capital 1:06:06 Breaking into Silicon Valley 1:18:06 Investing in Defense: The Anduril Story 1:37:37 The American Dynamism Movement 2:04:27 Manufacturing, Space, and the Future of Defense 2:14:06 Espionage, China, and National Security 2:37:38 The Attack on the American Family 2:48:29 Cultural Change, Suffering, and Purpose 2:55:30 Closing Thoughts Resources: Find Katherine on X: https://x.com/KTmBoyle Shawn Ryan Show Links YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkoujZQZatbqy4KGcgjpVxQ/join Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shawn-ryan-show/id1492492083 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5eodRZd3qR9VT1ip1wI7xQ?si=7abec4d61c324b24 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 interview from the 20VC podcast, Martin Casado (a16z General Partner) joins Harry Stebbings to unpack the state of AI, the rise of coding models, the future of open vs. closed source, and how value is shifting across the stack. Martin offers a candid view of the opportunities and dangers shaping AI and venture capital today. Resources: Find Martin on X: https://x.com/martin_casado Find Harry on X: https://x.com/harrystebbings More about 20VC: Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@20VC Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3j2KMcZTtgTNBKwtZBMHvl?si=85bc9196860e4466&nd=1&dlsi=d1dbbc6a0d7c4408 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-twenty-minute-vc-20vc-venture-capital-startup/id958230465 Visit their Website: https://www.20vc.com Subscribe to their Newsletter: https://www.thetwentyminutevc.com/ Follow 20VC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/20vchq/# Follow 20VC on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@20vc_tok 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 are real consumers actually doing with AI today? In this episode, a16z consumer investors Olivia Moore and Justine Moore break down the fifth edition of our Consumer AI 100, a biannual ranking of the most used AI-native web and mobile products across the globe. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction 1:45 New Companies & Trends 3:32 Companionship & Creative Tools 4:20 Big Tech on the List: Google’s Impact 6:24 Chinese AI Companies & Global Trends 10:19 Vibecoding: A New Trend 13:40 AI All-Stars: Consistent Top Performers 15:30 Network Effects & Product Experience 17:20 Enterprise Adoption & Prosumer Growth 19:40 Biggest Takeaways 21:09 Grok's debut 22:56 Future predictions 25:14 Closing & Audience Engagement Resources: Read more about the Top Gen 100: http://a16z.com/100-gen-ai-apps-5/ Find Olivia on X: https://x.com/omooretweets Find Justine on X: https://x.com/venturetwins 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 exactly is an AI agent, and how will agents change the way we work? In this episode, a16z general partners Erik Torenberg and Martin Casado sit down with Aaron Levie (CEO, Box) and Steven Sinofsky (a16z board partner; former Microsoft exec) to unpack one of the hottest debates in AI right now. They cover: The conversation moves from deep technical questions to big-picture implications for founders, enterprises, and the future of work. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction: The Evolution of AI Agents 0:36 Defining Agency and Autonomy 1:54 Long-Running Agents and Feedback Loops 4:49 Specialization and Task Division in AI 6:20 Human-AI Collaboration and Productivity 6:59 Anthropomorphizing AI and Economic Impact 9:10 Predictions, Progress, and Platform Shifts 11:31 Recursive Self-Improvement and Technical Challenges 13:20 Hallucinations, Verification, and Expert Productivity 16:20 The Role of Experts and Tool Adoption 22:14 Changing Workflows: Agents Reshaping Work Patterns 45:55 Division of Labor, Specialization, and New Roles 48:47 Verticalization, Applied AI, and the Future of Agents 54:44 Platform Competition and the Application Layer 55:29 Closing Thoughts and Takeaways Resources: Find Aaron on X: https://x.com/levie Find Martin on X: https://x.com/martin_casado Find Steven on X: https://x.com/stevesi 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.

Erik Torenberg sits down with Ben Horowitz, Cofounder of a16z, for a candid conversation on venture capital, leadership, and the future of innovation. Recorded live at a16z’s Menlo Park offices in 2023, Ben shares practical wisdom and hard-earned lessons on navigating market cycles, building resilient companies, and why culture is a lasting competitive edge. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction 0:49 Building a Lasting Venture Firm 1:57 Product vs. Investor-Driven Firms 5:17 Evolution of Andreessen Horowitz 8:43 Fund Sizing & Market Opportunity 11:38 Recruiting & Culture at a16z 13:58 Supporting Founders & Firm Mission 14:39 Governance & Firm Structure 17:15 The Future of Venture Capital 20:26 Riding Trends: AI, Web3, and Beyond 27:06 Regulation, Open Source, and Innovation 29:22 LPs, Macro, and Long-Term Strategy 33:25 Advice for the Next Generation 37:15 Tech Optimism & Societal Impact 42:33 Closing Thoughts & Outro Resources: Find Ben on X: https://x.com/bhorowitz Subscribe to Turpentine VC: link.chtbl.com/TurpentineVC 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.

Marc Andreessen, cofounder Andreessen Horowitz, joins the Hermitix podcast for a conversation on AI, accelerationism, energy, and the future. From the thermodynamic roots of effective accelerationism (E/acc) to the cultural cycles of optimism and fear around new technologies, Marc shares why AI is best understood as code, how nuclear debates mirror today’s AI concerns, and what these shifts mean for society and progress. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction 0:51 Podcast Overview & Guest Introduction 1:45 Marc Andreessen’s Background 3:30 Technology’s Role in Society 4:44 The Hermitix Question: Influential Thinkers 8:19 AI: Past, Present, and Future 10:57 Superconductors and Technological Breakthroughs 15:53 Optimism, Pessimism, and Stagnation in Technology 22:54 Fear of Technology and Social Order 29:49 Nuclear Power: Promise and Controversy 34:53 AI Regulation and Societal Impact 41:16 Effective Accelerationism Explained 47:19 Thermodynamics, Life, and Human Progress 53:07 Learned Helplessness and the Role of Elites 1:01:08 The Future: 10–50 Years and Beyond Resources: Marc on X: https://x.com/pmarca Marc’s Substack: https://pmarca.substack.com/ Become part of the Hermitix community: On X: https://x.com/Hermitixpodcast Support: http://patreon.com/hermitix Find James on X: https://x.com/meta_nomad 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.

Housing and healthcare make up nearly half of household spending, yet both sectors are riddled with inefficiency and rising costs. In this episode, Erik Torenberg is joined by a16z Growth partner Alex Immerman and Minna Song and Tony Stoyanov, cofounders of EliseAI, to discuss why they’re tackling these critical industries and how AI can transform everything from leasing and maintenance to patient scheduling and compliance. The conversation covers: This is about the costs that touch every household, and the role AI might play in finally bringing them down. Resources: Link to blog: https://a16z.com/announcement/investing-in-eliseai/ Find Minna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/minna-song/ Find Tony on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stoyan-tony-stoyanov-07690a53 FInd Alex on X: https://x.com/aleximm 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.

Do tariffs help rebuild American manufacturing or hold it back? In this episode, American Compass founder and chief economist Oren Cass sits down with commentator and author Noah Smith and a16z General Partner Erik Torenberg for a lively debate on the future of U.S. industry. They discuss the case for tariff-driven re-industrialization versus free-market approaches, the role of allies in trade policy, and what the numbers really show about manufacturing jobs, investment, and output. Along the way, they challenge each other’s assumptions and explore what it would take to actually bring more production back to American soil. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction & Framing the Debate 1:27 Oren Cass: Economic Philosophy & American Compass 4:02 Manufacturing, Family, and Community 5:00 Free Trade, Comparative Advantage, and Policy 8:30 Tariffs: US vs. China and Historical Context 9:30 Do Tariffs Help US Manufacturing? 15:00 Data, Indicators, and Economic Predictions 22:00 Theory, History, and the Role of Economics 28:00 Trade Deficits, Scale, and Global Competition 38:00 Negotiation, Game Theory, and Policy Tools 46:00 Trade Deficits, Scale, and Global Competition 1:03:23 Negotiating with Allies and the Limits of Tariff Threats Resources: Find Oren on X: https://https://x.com/oren_cass American Compass: https://americancompass.org/ 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.

The AI hardware race is heating up, and NVIDIA is still far ahead. What will it take to close the gap? In this episode, Dylan Patel (Founder & CEO, SemiAnalysis) joins Erin Price-Wright (General Partner, a16z), Guido Appenzeller (Partner, a16z), and host Erik Torenberg to break down the state of AI chips, data centers, and infrastructure strategy. We discuss: Resources: Find Dylan on X: https://x.com/dylan522p Find Erin on X: https://x.com/espricewright Find Guido on X: https://x.com/appenz Learn more about SemiAnalysis: https://semianalysis.com/dylan-patel/ 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.

Genie 3 can generate fully interactive, persistent worlds from just text, in real time. In this episode, Google DeepMind’s Jack Parker-Holder (Research Scientist) and Shlomi Fruchter (Research Director) join Anjney Midha, Marco Mascorro, and Justine Moore of a16z, with host Erik Torenberg, to discuss how they built it, the breakthrough “special memory” feature, and the future of AI-powered gaming, robotics, and world models. They share: This conversation offers a first-hand look at one of the most advanced world models ever created. Timecodes: 0:00 Introduction & The Magic of Genie 3 0:41 Real-Time World Generation Breakthroughs 1:22 The Team’s Journey: From Genie 1 to Genie 3 5:03 Interactive Applications & Use Cases 8:03 Special Memory and World Consistency 12:29 Emergent Behaviors and Model Surprises 18:37 Instruction Following and Text Adherence 19:53 Comparing Genie 3 and Other Models 21:25 The Future of World Models & Modality Convergence 27:35 Downstream Applications and Open Questions 31:42 Robotics, Simulation, and Real-World Impact 39:33 Closing Thoughts & Philosophical Reflections Resources: Find Shlomi on X: https://x.com/shlomifruchter Find Jack on X: https://x.com/jparkerholder Find Anjney on X: https://x.com/anjneymidha Find Justine on X: https://x.com/venturetwins Find Marco on X: https://x.com/Mascobot 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.