join a breakout a16z
company, or start one.

join a breakout a16z company, or start one.

The Alpha Fellowship places top early-career engineers into full-time roles at fast-growing a16z speedrun and Andreessen Horowitz portfolio companies. For future founders, we provide capital before a team or idea even exists.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 6 2026

JOIN COMPANIES LIKE:

WHAT'S ALPHA?

We're looking for highly technical students and recent grads who don't want to wait to start building. Fellows take full-time roles at fast-growing portfolio companies - or, if you're ready to build now, receive capital to start your own company - kicking off with a two-month in-person fellowship. Fellows also have access to the a16z speedrun and EO Ventures communities and events.
We're looking for highly technical students and recent grads who don't want to wait to start building. Fellows take full-time roles at fast-growing portfolio companies - or, if you're ready to build now, receive capital to start your own company - kicking off with a two-month in-person fellowship. Fellows also have access to the a16z speedrun and EO Ventures communities and events.

THE TRACKS

Startup Track

OPEN NOW

Learn inside the fire. Take a role at a breakout portfolio company that's already taking off. The fellowship layer runs for two months, and the role continues after.

>

Work at a fast-growing portfolio company

>

Full-time engineering role with salary and equity

>

8-week, in-person experience with a kickoff retreat, founder AMAs, and small-group dinners alongside the a16z speedrun community

For technical students and recent grads (within 3 years)

JOIN A STARTUP

Founder Track

OPEN NOW

Stop dreaming and start building. We back you pre-entity, pre-idea, pre-team. Apply as an individual. If you already know who you want to build with, great. Have each person apply separately and note who you’re building with.

>

$20K equity-free upfront to start building

>

Up to $250K investment

>

Automatic final interview for speedrun, up to $1M investment

>

8-week, in-person experience with a kickoff retreat, founder AMAs, and small-group dinners alongside the a16z speedrun community

For technical students and recent grads (within 3 years)

START A STARTUP

Startup Track

OPEN NOW

Learn inside the fire. Take a role at a breakout portfolio company that's already taking off. The fellowship layer runs for two months, and the role continues after.

>

Work at a fast-growing portfolio company

>

Full-time engineering role with salary and equity

>

8-week, in-person experience with a kickoff retreat, founder AMAs, and small-group dinners alongside the a16z speedrun community

For technical students and recent grads (within 3 years)

JOIN A STARTUP

Founder Track

OPEN NOW

Stop dreaming and start building. We back you pre-entity, pre-idea, pre-team. Apply as an individual. If you already know who you want to build with, great. Have each person apply separately and note who you’re building with.

>

$20K equity-free upfront to start building

>

Up to $250K investment

>

Automatic final interview for speedrun, up to $1M investment

>

8-week, in-person experience with a kickoff retreat, founder AMAs, and small-group dinners alongside the a16z speedrun community

For technical students and recent grads (within 3 years)

START A STARTUP

Founder Track

OPEN NOW

Stop dreaming and start building. We back you pre-entity, pre-idea, pre-team. Apply as an individual. If you already know who you want to build with, great. Have each person apply separately and note who you’re building with.

>

$20K grant, equity-free upfront to start building

>

Up to $250K investment

>

Automatic final interview for speedrun, up to $1M investment

>

8-week, in-person experience with a kickoff retreat, founder AMAs, and small-group dinners alongside the a16z speedrun community

For technical students and recent grads (within 3 years)

START A STARTUP

Startup Track

OPEN NOW

Learn inside the fire. Take a role at a breakout portfolio company that's already taking off. The fellowship layer runs for two months, and the role continues after.

>

Work at a fast-growing portfolio company

>

Full-time engineering role with salary and equity

>

8-week, in-person experience with a kickoff retreat, founder AMAs, and small-group dinners alongside the a16z speedrun community

For technical students and recent grads (within 3 years)

JOIN A STARTUP

a16z speedrun

Once Alpha fellows complete their fellowship with a team and company formed, they will receive priority consideration for a16z speedrun.

>

speedrun is our flagship program for startups

>

Up to $1M investment

THE FELLOWSHIP

Fellows participate in a two-month, in-person fellowship, including curated dinners with engineering leaders, portfolio founders, and investors.
Fellows participate in a two-month, in-person fellowship, including curated dinners with engineering leaders, portfolio founders, and investors.
Upcoming Speakers and Mentors
Upcoming Speakers and Mentors
Marc Andreessen

Marc Andreessen

COFOUNDER & GENERAL PARTNER

A16Z

Chris Best

Chris Best

FOUNDER & CEO

SUBSTACK

Michael Lingelbach

Michael Lingelbach

FOUNDER & CEO

HEDRA

Lisa Li

Lisa Li

FOUNDER ROSEBUD.AI [SR001]

ex PINTEREST

Maxwell Wang

Maxwell Wang

FOUNDER DISPATCHER [SR005]

ex SPACEX

Elena Wagenemas

Elena Wagenemas

FOUNDER TAYA [SR005]

ex APPLE

Andrew Chen

Andrew Chen

GENERAL PARTNER

A16Z

Roland Fryer

Roland Fryer

FOUNDING GP, EO VENTURES

HARVARD PROFESSOR

Fellows will also be invited to select a16z speedrun events. Previous speakers include:
Fellows will also be invited to select a16z speedrun events. Previous speakers include:
Dylan Field

Dylan Field

COFOUNDER & CEO

FIGMA

Jeff Lawson

Jeff Lawson

COFOUNDER & CEO

TWILIO

Adam D'Angelo

Adam D'Angelo

COFOUNDER & CEO

QUORA

Rahul Vohra

Rahul Vohra

FOUNDER

SUPERHUMAN AI

Eddie Drake

Bobby Murphy

CTO

SNAP

Guillermo Rauch

Guillermo Rauch

CEO

VERCEL

Kevin Weil

Kevin Weil

VP OPENAI FOR SCIENCE

OPENAI

Emmett Shear

Emmett Shear

FOUNDER

TWITCH

THE TIMELINE

01

Apply online by March 6

Online applications are now open. You’ll share your technical background and experience shipping real work. Applications close March 6, 2026, and are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applying earlier increases your chances of being matched with your preferred company.

02

Interview & assessment

Selected applicants complete a technical assessment and live interviews.

03

Begin full-time

If joining a company, candidates and companies rank preferences and matches are made based on mutual fit. Fellows are hired directly by their matched company.

If founding a company, accepted founders receive their initial $20k grant and begin working full-time on their idea, with up to $250k in total investment available.

04

The on-ramp

In early June, the fellowship begins with an immersive retreat where fellows meet one another and spend time with the a16z speedrun team.

05

Fellowship programming

From early June through mid-August, fellows participate in weekly, small-group conversations with engineers, operators, and investors shaping the next wave of AI, alongside their day-to-day work.

06

Completion

The fellowship concludes in mid-August with a capstone event, where fellows present to the a16z speedrun team and broader community. Fellows continue in their full-time roles at their companies after the fellowship ends.

FAQ

Who's this for?

You're deeply curious, highly technical, and have a track record of building. Fellows are typically exceptional students or recent graduates up to three years out of school.

Who's this for?

You're deeply curious, highly technical, and have a track record of building. Fellows are typically exceptional students or recent graduates up to three years out of school.

Do I need to have US work authorization?

Yes. You must have valid authorization to work full time in the United States.

Do I need to have US work authorization?

Yes. You must have valid authorization to work full time in the United States.

Can I apply if I’m a student?

Yes. However, if you’re applying to join a startup, you must be prepared to leave school and take on a full-time role if matched. If you’re applying to the Founder track, you’re expected to work on your idea full-time during the fellowship period. Continued full-time commitment is required to be considered for additional investment.

Can I apply if I’m a student?

Yes. However, if you’re applying to join a startup, you must be prepared to leave school and take on a full-time role if matched. If you’re applying to the Founder track, you’re expected to work on your idea full-time during the fellowship period. Continued full-time commitment is required to be considered for additional investment.

Am I going to be working for a16z?

Fellows pursuing the company placement path are employed directly by the portfolio companies, not by a16z.

Am I going to be working for a16z?

Fellows pursuing the company placement path are employed directly by the portfolio companies, not by a16z.

Is Alpha only for software engineers?

Yes. Alpha is exclusively for software engineers. For the Join a Startup path, fellows are placed into full-time software engineering roles at portfolio companies. For the Founder Track, participants must also be technical builders with a software background. We are not recruiting for other technical disciplines at this time.

Is Alpha only for software engineers?

Yes. Alpha is exclusively for software engineers. For the Join a Startup path, fellows are placed into full-time software engineering roles at portfolio companies. For the Founder Track, participants must also be technical builders with a software background. We are not recruiting for other technical disciplines at this time.

Is there a specific list of participating hiring companies?

The roles are with fast-growing portfolio companies. For candidates pursuing the company placement path, we share the full list of participating companies later in the process.

Is there a specific list of participating hiring companies?

The roles are with fast-growing portfolio companies. For candidates pursuing the company placement path, we share the full list of participating companies later in the process.

Is the program in person?

Yes. The fellowship is in person. If accepted, you’ll need to relocate to be near the a16z office for the duration of the program.

Is the program in person?

Yes. The fellowship is in person. If accepted, you’ll need to relocate to be near the a16z office for the duration of the program.

I already applied to the a16z speedrun talent network. Am I considered for this program automatically?

No. This program has a separate application process, and you'll need to apply directly to Alpha to be considered.

I already applied to the a16z speedrun talent network. Am I considered for this program automatically?

No. This program has a separate application process, and you'll need to apply directly to Alpha to be considered.

How is compensation determined for fellows who join a startup?

Compensation is set by the hiring company and varies by role. Fellows are hired into full-time positions and are paid market rates by the employer.

How is compensation determined for fellows who join a startup?

Compensation is set by the hiring company and varies by role. Fellows are hired into full-time positions and are paid market rates by the employer.

Who's behind Alpha?

Alpha is built by a16z speedrun, a16z's startup program that invests up to $1M. It's run in partnership with EO Ventures (Equal Opportunity Ventures). EO Ventures invests in early-stage businesses that increase opportunity in America.

How does job / employer matching work?

After the evaluation process, candidates who opt to join a company are introduced to participating portfolio companies. Both sides rank their preferences, and matches are made based on mutual fit. Once a match is identified, the candidate decides whether or not to accept the offer and, if so, is hired directly by the company.

How does job / employer matching work?

After the evaluation process, candidates who opt to join a company are introduced to participating portfolio companies. Both sides rank their preferences, and matches are made based on mutual fit. Once a match is identified, the candidate decides whether or not to accept the offer and, if so, is hired directly by the company.

How many fellows will you admit?

While we don’t have a set number, we estimate up to 10 for each track.

How many fellows will you admit?

While we don’t have a set number, we estimate up to 10 for each track.

Can I apply to both tracks?

Yes. Feel free to apply to both, and we’ll help determine the right path.

Can I apply to both tracks?

Yes. Feel free to apply to both, and we’ll help determine the right path.

Can I apply to the founder track with a team?

You apply as an individual. If you’re building with others, we encourage each member of your team to apply separately and note in your application who you’re building with. We’ll take that context into account during review.

Can I apply to the founder track with a team?

You apply as an individual. If you’re building with others, we encourage each member of your team to apply separately and note in your application who you’re building with. We’ll take that context into account during review.

Who's behind Alpha?

Alpha is built by a16z speedrun, a16z's startup program that invests up to $1M. It's run in partnership with EO Ventures (Equal Opportunity Ventures). EO Ventures invests in early-stage businesses that increase opportunity in America.

Who's behind Alpha?

Alpha is built by a16z speedrun, a16z's startup program that invests up to $1M. It's run in partnership with EO Ventures (Equal Opportunity Ventures). EO Ventures invests in early-stage businesses that increase opportunity in America.

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APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 6 2026