From TechCrunch · Julie Bort · · 1m 50s
a16z launches school to rival Silicon Valley dropouts
Andreessen Horowitz is betting that structured tech training beats the dropout path for aspiring founders.
In brief
Andreessen Horowitz is betting that structured tech training beats the dropout path for aspiring founders. The Horowitz Andreessen Academy offers free one-year training to high school grads, positioning itself as a middle ground between college and dropping out to start a company. Originally reported by TechCrunch.
a16z launches founder school
Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz is opening The Horowitz Andreessen Academy, a school for high school graduates who want to become tech founders without attending college.
Free first year, 50 students
The academy's inaugural one-year program charges no tuition and accepts about 50 students based on proof of work like projects they have built or shipped. Students must arrange their own housing in San Francisco.
Hands-on curriculum from AI to philosophy
Coursework ranges from technical topics like AI Research and Models to life philosophy including The Geometry of Luck. Students also work on personal projects with mentorship from major tech industry figures.
No degree, but industry connections
The academy is not accredited, so students won't earn a degree or transferable college credits. However, they gain access to mentors from 10 founding partners including Google, Meta, OpenAI, Stripe, and Anthropic.
Paid program launching in 2028
By 2028, the academy plans to offer a two-year program charging tuition comparable to elite private universities. It will expand access to 200 speakers and mentors and may grow beyond 50 students.
Middle ground between college and dropout
The academy positions itself between getting a full degree and dropping out to start a company, offering structured training and job placement in a tight entry-level market.
Hiring pipeline for tech giants
The 10 founding corporate partners including Anduril, Coinbase, Nvidia, Palantir, and Replit plan to hire from the academy's graduates, making it a talent recruitment tool for major tech companies.
Here's the gist
The Horowitz Andreessen Academy offers free one-year training to high school grads, positioning itself as a middle ground between college and dropping out to start a company.
