Marc Andreessen kicks off a16z speedrun

Plus, the A16Z GAMES newsletter is embracing a new name and expanded ambitions

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this past week's fires in Los Angeles, including some of our own. Please stay safe and look out for each other 🙏

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We’re back with a fresh look. Welcome to the a16z speedrun newsletter.

Over the last year, the A16Z GAMES newsletter has brought you stories about people and technology driving the future of the games industry.

To articulate our vision, we’ve published original interviews with an Oscar-winning VFX lead, founders building cutting edge AI companion tech, and a NASA technologist using a game engine and space lasers to map the moon. We believe interactive entertainment is expansive. It includes renegade Skyrim modders just as it does industry titans.

As our vision has expanded, so has the a16z speedrun program, which invests in dozens of startups in tech and entertainment. It includes founders building next-generation games, AI, 3D, streaming, platforms, gaming tech, XR, and forms of entertainment that are only beginning to emerge.

The future belongs to founders who defy categories and invent new possibilities. So starting today, we’re expanding the focus of this newsletter to include stories of not only gaming leaders, but also of heroic innovators who are pushing the limits of tech and entertainment.

If that’s your speed, then it’s time to lock in. Welcome to speedrun.

Marc Andreessen kicks off a16z speedrun

Last week we kicked off speedrun 004, the latest class of our startup program for founders on the cutting edge of tech and entertainment.

Twice a year, thousands apply and around 50 teams make the cut. Those that are selected gather in-person for a three-month journey that culminates in DEMO DAY, an opportunity for founders to pitch 400+ investors on their vision to create the future.

Each week, world-class leaders and entrepreneurs speak to our class of speedrun founders in closed-session talks. This time around, a16z cofounder Marc Andreessen kicked off speedrun 004 in an hourlong talk.

One question moderator Jon Lai asked: If you’re a builder right now and you’re selecting markets to build in, how do you think about timing? How can you tell when you’re too early with an idea?

This was Marc’s response:

🧊 What’s next for the a16z speedrun newsletter

The speedrun newsletter is intended for creative tech and entertainment founders and investors. Subscribers can expect a wide-ranging mix of content coming over the coming months, highlighting stories from the wider world as well as speedrun events.

For founders or potential founders, we’ll bring you strategy guides exploring topics like how to find your first users, how to pitch your startup, and how to measure product-market fit. We love founders and we want more of you (applications for speedrun 005 open soon btw).

For investors and other curious readers interested in the broader world of cutting edge tech, we’ll also bring you deeply reported pieces about trends like the state of AI consumer apps, the return of IRL-focused startups, and the rise of the Turkish games industry.

That’s just the start. If you aren’t already subscribed, hop on board:

And we’ll see you next week.

💼 Jobs Jobs Jobs

There are currently over 400 open jobs listings across both the SPEEDRUN portfolio and the A16Z GAMES portfolio. For the freshest games industry jobs postings, be sure to follow our own Caitlin Cooke and Jordan Mazer on LinkedIn.

Join our talent network for more opportunities. If we see a fit for you, we'll intro you to relevant founders in the portfolio.

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This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as legal, business, investment, or tax advice. You should consult your own advisers as to those matters. This newsletter may link to other websites and certain information contained herein has been obtained from third-party sources. While taken from sources believed to be reliable, a16z has not independently verified such information and makes no representations about the enduring accuracy of the information or its appropriateness for a given situation.

References to any companies, securities, or digital assets are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Any references to companies are for illustrative purposes only; please see a16z.com/investments. Furthermore, this content is not directed at nor intended for use by any investors or prospective investors, and may not under any circumstances be relied upon when making a decision to invest in any fund managed by a16z. (An offering to invest in an a16z fund will be made only by the private placement memorandum, subscription agreement, and other relevant documentation of any such fund which should be read in their entirety.) Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Content in this newsletter speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others. Please see a16z.com/disclosures for additional important details.