Editor’s Note: Ben Horowitz’s announcement signals a significant shift in a16z’s global strategy: it is no longer merely seeking overseas projects or expanding international investments, but is positioning itself within a broader framework of technological competition and alliance-building.
In the past, VCs primarily excelled at identifying companies, providing capital, and aiding growth. But as AI, robotics, defense technology, cybersecurity, and supply chain restructuring have become focal points of national competition, the internationalization paths of startups have grown more complex. They now face not just markets and customers, but also multi-country regulations, industrial policies, geopolitical relationships, and strategic capital. a16z’s establishment of a Tokyo office, the appointment of Anne Neuberger to lead global affairs, and the upgrade of its investor relations team to a global partnerships team are direct responses to these changes.
The most important signal in the article is that a16z has explicitly tied its global network to the technological leadership of the United States and its allies. Technological innovation is moving beyond a purely commercial proposition into the realm of national security, industrial capacity, and international competition. For a16z, the future venture capital network must do more than help founders raise capital, hire talent, and sell products—it must also help them access key markets, connect with government and strategic institutions, and understand the policy and regulatory environments of different countries.
This also means the role of top-tier venture capital firms is being redefined. VCs are no longer merely capital intermediaries, but organizers connecting startups, national capabilities, industry resources, alliance networks, and global capital. a16z’s recent global expansion can be seen as Silicon Valley capital proactively positioning itself in the new round of global tech competition.
The following is the original text:
At Andreessen Horowitz, we believe the best thing a society can do for an individual is to give them a chance. We openly believe that the United States and its global allies have done this more consistently and successfully than any other place on Earth. Today, as nations around the world rebuild, rearm, and rethink how to provide for their citizens and compete globally, we have the opportunity to pass on the gift that America once gave us, given to entrepreneurs, and given to the world.
Over the past three years, we have consciously built bridges in key international markets. Our recent announcement of establishing a Tokyo office reflects our commitment to placing America’s closest ally at the highest priority. Today, we are also announcing a series of new global initiatives:
Drive technological collaboration with allied nations in key innovation areas, including AI, robotics, defense modernization, cybersecurity, and supply chain resilience; while providing guidance to a16z and its portfolio companies on global geopolitical issues, international policies, and regulatory matters. Anne Neuberger will lead this effort as our newest General Partner and Head of Global Affairs. With nearly two decades of government service, Anne has consistently contributed to U.S. security and competitiveness across defense, intelligence, and emerging technologies. Few have observed as closely how technology has rapidly evolved into a cornerstone of geopolitical influence, industrial capacity, and national security. Her addition reflects our conviction that technological leadership, trusted alliances, and enduring partnerships will define the next stage of global competition.
Help our growth-stage company go global. Companies are becoming increasingly multinational, multichannel, and multiproduct. From the start, we’ve been a network-driven organization: what you truly want from a VC isn’t just advice, but the ability to empower. You need access to key players—from presidents to largest buyers—once you enter a new market. Over the years, we’ve built exactly this network and have become one of the most powerful “behind-the-scenes” forces in venture capital. Raghu Raghuram, general partner at a16z, will lead this effort.
Attract and build new partnerships overseas, including both our traditional limited partners and sovereign and strategic institutions that can open markets, distribution channels, and capital resources for founders. To reflect this shift, our investor relations team has been renamed the Global Partnerships team, led by Managing Partner and Head of Global Partnerships, Jen Kha. The team’s mission is to help founders connect with the capital and relationships needed for their global expansion, enabling them to scale faster.
Continue investing in the best companies we find anywhere. Our primary and most important mission has always been to support great technology companies and help them win. Today, Gabriel Vasquez and Angela Strange are leading efforts to identify international founders and build communities around them. To date, a16z has made over 100 international investments.
From the very beginning, a16z has been a company, not just a fund. Our mission is to help founders build exceptional businesses as much as possible. From day one, we have remained uncompromising on this trade-off.
Today, this mission has taken on a new meaning: not only to support founders, but also to support the United States and its allies. We are answering this call.
——Ben Horowitz