A16Z Speedrun
speedrun.a16z.com
speedrun.a16z.com
All other contenders (Techstars, 500startups, etc.) are going to struggle to keep up because YC and A16Z want first dibs on all things AI.
If "software eats the world" (Marc Andreessen), then the thinking goes that AI eats everything.
If the first wave of AI companies were the foundation models and failed experiments, then the new kings in consumer and enterprise application-layer AI are going to be minted now-ish.
We're in the stellar star formation phase of soon-to-be leading AI companies. This shotgun approach is bound to hit a few centicorns, which will more than pay for the entire experiment.
After this next round of AI companies forms, there will be too much of a ceiling and too much of a crowded space to deploy capital at this same rate and expect the same return.
The time is now if you want to get your AI company founded and funded.
That's like saying "what's after the internet?"
This is the train and you have to get on board now, otherwise you miss it.
Is it founders on crack or something?
It's like the new version of "ninja" or "rock star" for the latest crop of douchey founders and investors.
Also, i have heard that A12Z tilts strongly to referrals and intros.
Of course, someone will pop up to deny, etc but it is what it is.
EDIT: "current deadline for our upcoming cohort which will be hosted in Los Angeles is May 11th, 2025"....
Their recent "American Dynamism" conference featured a whos-who of the Trump administration including a keynote from JD Vance.
They deserve the Musk treatment.