FELLOWSHIP · INVESTMENT / TALENT
a16z
Alpha Fellowship by speedrun
Independent editorial profile; DNA Future is not affiliated with or endorsed by this institution unless expressly stated. Alpha is an in-person program in San Francisco for technical students and recent graduates. You can apply to start a company or to meet speedrun startups that are hiring.
Source checked · Closed · Deadline passed Oct 11View official page ↗
01
THE FIRM
What is a16z?
Andreessen Horowitz, usually called a16z, is a US venture capital firm founded in 2009 by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz. It invests in technology companies from their earliest stage through later growth.
The firm invests across AI, consumer products, enterprise software, fintech, crypto, bio and health, games and American Dynamism. It also has teams that help founders with recruiting, marketing, customers, policy and company building.
Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz founded the firm in 2009 to combine venture investing with a large operating-support organization for portfolio companies.
a16z invests through multiple stage- and sector-specific funds. The firm does not publish one continuously updated consolidated AUM figure on its current overview page, so this profile does not estimate one.
The official portfolio spans seed through growth across software, AI, crypto, games, health and industrial technology; the best-known names below are examples rather than a complete list.
Alpha is a current speedrun initiative with separate Founder and Talent tracks. The 2026 application deadline was 11 October, so the present cycle is closed.
Institution source ↗Current Alpha source ↗
What has a16z invested in?
Well-known companies in its official portfolio include Airbnb, Coinbase, Figma, GitHub, Roblox and SpaceX. These are examples, not the complete portfolio.
02
THE PEOPLE
Who runs speedrun and Alpha?
a16z is a large firm. For this program, three names are the most useful to understand: the founders of a16z, the partner behind speedrun and the partner who leads Alpha.
Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz
They founded a16z in 2009. Marc Andreessen is a software entrepreneur and the co-creator of the Mosaic browser. Ben Horowitz previously co-founded the software company Opsware.
Andrew Chen · speedrun
Andrew Chen is an a16z General Partner. His work at the firm focuses on technology, entertainment and AI through speedrun. Before a16z, he led Rider Growth at Uber.
Katia Ameri · Alpha
Katia Ameri is the clearest named lead for Alpha. Her official a16z profile says she focuses on speedrun Alpha and leads the fellowship. She previously worked at Pear VC and founded Tech Week.
Alpha is built by the speedrun team and run with Equal Opportunity Ventures (EO Ventures), according to the official Alpha page.
03
THE PROGRAM
What is Alpha?
Alpha is a fellowship run by a16z speedrun with EO Ventures. It is for technical students, dropouts and recent graduates.
You do not need to have a finished company. Alpha may accept people before they have formed a company, chosen a final idea or built a full team.
In simple terms
Choose Founder Track if you want to start a company. Choose Talent Track if you want to join a startup.
04
THE TWO TRACKS
Founder Track or Talent Track?
Founder Track
Choose this track if you want to build your own company.
You apply as an individual. If you already have a cofounder, each person applies separately and names the other person in the application.
Program: eight weeks in San Francisco.
Talent Track
Choose this track if you want to work at a speedrun startup.
Alpha introduces you to portfolio companies. You meet the teams and see whether there is a good fit. A job is not guaranteed.
Program: four weeks in San Francisco.
05
SUPPORT
What do you get?
Founder Track
- Up to $250,000 of investment.
- More than $1 million in product credits.
- Coworking space, office hours and sessions with speedrun partners.
- A final interview for the main speedrun program, which may invest up to $1 million.
The $250,000 is an investment, not a grant. The later speedrun investment is not automatic.
Talent Track
- Introductions to speedrun portfolio companies.
- Meetings with founders and engineering teams.
- Coworking space, office hours and fellowship events.
The official page does not list an investment, salary or fellowship payment for Talent Track.
06
APPLICATION
How do you apply?
- Choose a track. Decide whether you want to start a company or join one.
- Upload your résumé. The application uses it to fill in your background and links.
- Complete the application. Explain what you have built, what you want to do and why Alpha is the right next step.
- Interview. Selected applicants complete live interviews.
- Join the program in San Francisco. Founder Track starts first; Talent Track joins later for four weeks.
The current application deadline was October 11 and has passed. Check the official program page for the next application cycle.
07
PUBLIC EVIDENCE
What does the public record show?
The official a16z portfolio includes Airbnb, Coinbase, Figma, GitHub, Roblox and SpaceX. These are firm-level examples, not Alpha outcomes or evidence that a new fellow will receive the same support.
How to read this evidence
Founder Track and Talent Track have different economics. Admission, investment, a job and later speedrun funding are separate outcomes.
DNA Future research note. This is an independent editorial profile based on official sources. Program terms and availability can change; the institution’s current materials take precedence.
Last reviewed · 13 October 2026