a16z Podcast

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.

In this episode, a16z general partner Bryan Kim joins TBPN hosts John Coogan and Jordi Hays to discuss the recent launch of Cluely , a consumer AI product. The conversation covers early traction, evaluating distribution and momentum, and how investors assess go-to-market strategies in emerging AI applications. Resources: Find Bryan on X: https://x.com/kirbyman01 Watch TBPN: https://www.tbpn.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.

How is AI actually being used in classrooms today? Are teachers adopting it, or resisting it? And could software eventually replace traditional instruction entirely? In this episode of This Week in Consumer AI, a16z partners Justine Moore, Olivia Moore, and Zach Cohen explore one of the most rapidly evolving — and widely debated — frontiers in consumer technology: education. They unpack how generative AI is already reshaping educational workflows, enabling teachers to scale feedback, personalize curriculum, and reclaim time from administrative tasks. We also examine emerging consumer behavior — from students using AI for homework to parents exploring AI-led learning paths for their children. Resources: Find Olivia on X: https://x.com/omooretweets Find Justine on X: https://x.com/venturetwins Find Zach on X: https://x.com/zachcohen25 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 rise of Apple also built modern China? a16z’s Erik Torenberg is joined by board partner and former Microsoft Windows chief Steven Sinofsky to unpack how Apple’s pursuit of design excellence and supply chain scale catalyzed China’s manufacturing superpower status - and why that partnership is now under intense scrutiny. Inspired by the book Apple in China (but not a book review), the episode dives deep into: The episode opens with a few reactions to WWDC: Apple’s new UI, the iPad’s evolving role, and why Apple’s AI story still feels unfinished - before zooming out into one of the most consequential tech and geopolitical stories of our time. TImecodes: 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Guest Introduction: Steven Sinofsky 00:49 WWDC Reactions and Apple's AI Story 02:27 WWDC Highlights: Liquid Glass and iPad Updates 05:16 Apple's AI Strategy and Market Dynamics 06:34 Meta's AI Moves and Market Implications 13:30 Apple's Manufacturing Evolution: From Garage to Global 20:50 The Rise of ODMs and Global Manufacturing 26:32 Microsoft's Struggle with Piracy in China 27:19 Apple's Revolutionary MacBook Air 29:30 Challenges in PC Manufacturing 31:05 The Rise of Chinese Manufacturing Skills 32:07 The Point of No Return for Apple and China 32:59 Global Trade and Intellectual Property Issues 37:04 COVID-19's Impact on Global Manufacturing 41:19 Future of Innovation and Manufacturing 47:10 Navigating Intellectual Property in the AI Era 48:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Resources: Find Steven on X: https://x.com/stevesi Find Erik on X: https://x.com/eriktorenberg 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 recent episode of The Ben & Marc Show, a16z co-founders Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz sit down with Adam Neumann—founder of WeWork and now Flow—to unpack one of the most unlikely comeback storie s in tech. What began as a personal reckoning after a very public fall has become a bold new vision for how we live and belong. Flow isn’t just a real estate company—it’s an operating system for community, built on first-principles software, design, and soul. Joined by a16z General Partner Erik Torenberg, the group goes deep on: With reflections on dyslexia, the American dream, and the thin line between failure and greatness, this is a candid and wide-ranging conversation about redemption, vision, and building something that matters in this world. We hope you enjoy this deeply human conversation about the future of living. Timecodes 00:00 Introduction 00:51 Adam's Early Life and Family Background 07:56 Military Service and Discipline 10:08 Transition to the US and Education 14:43 Entrepreneurial Journey Begins 17:49 The Concept of Flow and Vision 20:28 Meeting and Partnership Formation 25:22 Overcoming Challenges and Resilience 28:30 The Isolation Phenomenon 30:03 Navigating Post-Crisis Relationships 31:50 Real Estate Strategies During COVID 33:47 The Genesis of a New Venture 36:47 Lessons from WeWork 38:49 Building Flow: The Vision 41:44 The Importance of Alignment 51:23 Technological Innovations in Real Estate 55:44 Revolutionizing Real Estate Software and Flexible Living Solutions 56:28 Challenges and Innovations in Multifamily Housing Rental Markets 58:40 Global Housing Crisis and Solutions 01:06:10 Expanding to Saudi Arabia 01:08:49 Success in Saudi Arabia 01:12:43 Real Estate Funds and Future Plans 01:19:10: Why Is This an Opportunity? 01:20:45 Impact of COVID on Living and Working 01:26:14 Future Potential of Housing and Living Resources: Read Marc's blog post about Flow: https://a16z.com/announcement/flow/ Marc on X: https://x.com/pmarca Marc’s Substack: https://pmarca.substack.com/ Ben on X: https://x.com/bhorowitz Erik on X: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Erik's Substack: https://eriktorenberg.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.

Things in consumer AI are moving fast. In this episode, Justine and Olivia Moore, investing partners (and identical twins!) at a16z, break down what’s real, what’s overhyped, and what’s next across the consumer AI space. They cover: Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction 00:28 Meet the Hosts: Justine and Olivia 00:44 Veo 3: The Game-Changer in AI Video 06:34 ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode Updates 10:22 Apple's AI Announcements and Siri's Shortcomings 12:18 11 Labs' New Voice Model: 11 V3 15:50 Report from a16z: AI Revenue Growth 23:14 Demo of the Week: AI in Brand Creation Resources: Read ‘What “Working” Means in the Era of AI Apps’: https://a16z.com/revenue-benchmarks-a... Find Justine on X: https://x.com/venturetwins Find Olivia on X: https://x.com/omooretweets Tools Discussed: Veo 3: https://gemini.google/overview/video-... OpenAI: https://openai.com/chatgpt 11Labs (V3 voice model) – https://elevenlabs.io/ Ideogram (logo/image generation) – https://ideogram.ai/ Black Forest Labs/Flux Context (image editing via Krea) – https://www.krea.ai/ Flux Context demo (Krea launch post) – https://www.krea.ai/blog/flux-context Hedra: https://www.hedra.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 Jack Altman, CEO of Lattice and host of Uncapped, interviews Marc Andreessen on how venture capital is evolving — from small seed funds to billion-dollar barbell strategies — and why today’s most important tech companies don’t just build tools, they replace entire industries. They cover: This is a conversation about ambition at scale, the structure of modern venture, and the deep forces reshaping startups, innovation, and power. Resources: Listen to more from Uncapped: https://linktr.ee/uncappedpod Find Jack on Xhttps://x.com/jaltma Find Marc on X: https://x.com/pmarca Find Uncapped on X: https://x.com/uncapped_pod Timecodes: 00:00 What You Can’t Say 01:20 Founders, Funders, and the Future 02:00 Fund Size and Power Law Math 06:45 From Tools to Full Stack Startups 10:00 Market Sizing and Asymmetric Bets 13:00 Public Markets Mirror Venture Dynamics 17:00 The Barbell Strategy in Venture 20:00 The Conflict Dilemma in Venture 25:00 Staying in Early-Stage Venture 29:30 The Death of the Middle 32:00 Why It’s So Rare to Build a New Top VC Firm 35:00 The Case for Power in Venture 37:45 Limiting Factors for Big Companies 41:00 AI as the Next Computing Platform 45:30 Betting on Startups, Not Incumbents 48:00 How a16z Thinks About Risk 51:00 Building a Top-Tier GP Team 55:00 Taste, Timing, and Getting Into the Scene 57:00 Raising Capital Is the Easy Part 1:00:30 AI’s Existential Stakes 1:05:00 Autonomous Weapons, Ethics, and War 1:11:00 Tech, Government, and Power 1:13:00 Media, Mistrust, and Narrative Collapse 1:24:00 Preference Falsification and Cultural Cascades 1:32:00 The Thought Experiment 1:33:00 Career Advice for Young Builders 1:35:00 Marc vs. the Huberman Protocol 1:39:30 What Would Prove You Right? 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 crypto isn’t just a speculative asset class—but the next foundational layer of the internet? In this episode, Chris Dixon, founding partner of a16z crypto and one of the earliest, most forward-thinking investors in the space, joins TBPN for a wide-ranging conversation on the real, long-term promise of crypto—and why we're still early. He unpacks: This episode is about long-term thinking, technical optimism, and building open infrastructure for the future of the internet. Resources: Find Chris on X: https://x.com/cdixon Watch TBPN: https://www.tbpn.com/ Timecodes: 00:00 Meet Chris Dixon: Crypto Visionary 00:26 The Evolution of Stable Coins 02:49 The Future of Stable Coins and Global Payments 06:04 Lobbying Efforts and Legislative Impact 09:01 Adoption Across Different Sectors 11:53 Competitive Forces in the Crypto Market 14:37 The Crypto Talent Shortage 15:05 Opportunities in the Crypto Space 17:08 Crypto Fund Performance 19:04 Venture Capital in Crypto 23:30 Real World Assets on Blockchain 26:34 Social Engineering and Proof of Humanity 29:10 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.

In this episode, a16z General Partner Erik Torenberg is joined by the a16z Consumer team—General Partner Anish Acharya and Partners Olivia Moore, Justine Moore, and Bryan Kim—for a conversation on the current state (and future) of consumer tech. They unpack why it feels like breakout consumer apps have slowed down, how AI is changing the game, and what might define the next era of products. Topics include: From shifting business models to new behavior patterns, this is your pulse check on where we are—and where consumer is heading next. Timecodes: 00:00:00 – Introduction to Consumer AI 00:01:00 – The Evolution of Consumer Breakouts 00:03:18 – The Shift in Consumer Spending 00:08:00 – The Future of Social Networks with AI 00:13:00 – Enterprise Adoption of AI 00:20:42 – The Rise of Voice Technology 00:23:06 – AI's Role in Enterprise Conversations 00:25:25 – AI in Education and Personal Development 00:26:34 – AI Companions: The New Norm 00:31:52 – The Future of AI Companions 00:38:50 – Speculating on New AI Platforms 00:42:07 – The Social Norms of AI Integration Resources: Find Anish on X: https://x.com/illscience Find Olivia on X: https://x.com/omooretweets Find Justine on X: https://x.com/venturetwins Find Bryan on X: https://x.com/kirbyman01 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.