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Andreessen Horowitz

Andreessen Horowitz (also known as a16z) is an American privately held venture capital firm founded in 2009 by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Andreessen Horowitz (also known as a16z) is an American privately held venture capital firm founded in 2009 by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz. It is headquartered in Menlo Park, California, and invests across seed, venture, and growth-stage technology companies in sectors including AI, bio and healthcare, consumer, crypto, enterprise, fintech, games, and infrastructure.

History

Andreessen Horowitz was launched in 2009 by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz. The firm was created as a Silicon Valley venture capital partnership focused on backing technology companies.

Investment strategy

The firm describes itself as stage-agnostic, investing from seed through growth. Its portfolio emphasis includes software and technology-driven sectors such as AI, crypto, enterprise software, fintech, and healthcare.

Platform model

a16z is known for its “platform” approach, employing non-investment specialists to support portfolio companies. These functions include recruiting, marketing, legal, policy, and other operational support.

Scale and structure

Andreessen Horowitz is a privately held venture capital firm and a registered investment adviser. Public reporting in 2026 places its assets under management at around US$90 billion or higher.

Key facts

  • Andreessen Horowitz was founded in 2009 by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz.
  • The firm is headquartered in Menlo Park, California.
  • It invests in seed, venture, and growth-stage technology companies.
  • Its focus areas include AI, bio and healthcare, consumer, crypto, enterprise, fintech, games, infrastructure, and American dynamism.
  • The firm describes itself as having pioneered a “platform model” with operators in functions such as marketing, talent, legal, and policy.
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Canadian context

Andreessen Horowitz does not have a specifically Canadian identity, but its investments and sector focus include technology companies that may operate in or affect the Canadian startup ecosystem, especially in AI, fintech, and enterprise software.

Frequently asked questions

What is Andreessen Horowitz?
Andreessen Horowitz is a U.S. venture capital firm that invests in technology companies at multiple stages, from seed to growth.
Who founded Andreessen Horowitz?
It was founded by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz in 2009.
Where is Andreessen Horowitz headquartered?
The firm is headquartered in Menlo Park, California, United States.
What does a16z mean?
a16z is the firm’s commonly used nickname, derived from the name Andreessen Horowitz.
What kinds of companies does a16z invest in?
It invests in sectors including AI, bio and healthcare, consumer, crypto, enterprise, fintech, games, and infrastructure.
How large is Andreessen Horowitz?
Public sources in 2026 place its assets under management at roughly US$90 billion to over US$100 billion.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andreessen_Horowitz
    Supports: Founding date, founders, headquarters, industry, type, and reported assets under management.
  2. Andreessen Horowitz — https://a16z.com/about/
    Supports: Firm description, stage focus, sector focus, platform model, and reported assets under management.
  3. Deep Tech Week — https://www.deep-tech-week.com/organizations/andreessen-horowitz
    Supports: 2009 founding, sector focus, and reported assets under management as of March 2026.
  4. PitchBook — https://pitchbook.com/profiles/investor/41716-90
    Supports: Headquarters, industry focus, and registered investment adviser status.