Ben Horowitz on How a16z Was Built

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

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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.