Andreessen Horowitz is launching a tuition-free academy in San Francisco for recent high school graduates, backed by $42 million and 10 tech partners, according to TechCrunch and CBS News.
The Horowitz Andreessen Academy will admit about 50 students to its first class, starting fall 2027, based on "proof of work" rather than grades, essays or test scores, TechCrunch reported. It is open to recent high school graduates and students who have completed up to two years at an elite university. Coursework covers building AI systems, fundraising and pitching, taught by working founders and executives, according to TechCrunch and CBS News.
Ten companies are founding partners, including Anduril, Anthropic, Coinbase, Google, Meta, Nvidia, OpenAI, Palantir, Replit and Stripe, giving students access to roughly 200 mentors and speakers, TechCrunch reported. a16z CEO Gagan Biyani said the academy aims for a "middle ground" between a full college degree and dropping out to start a company. The firm plans to add a two-year, tuition-charging track by fall 2028, with tuition expected to match an elite private university, according to TechCrunch and CBS News.
a16z has spent years funding founders who skip or drop out of college. Building its own school to feed graduates straight into its portfolio companies and partners is a bet that the firm can manufacture the pipeline it used to just invest in.