a16z launches academy without degrees

Andreessen Horowitz is creating the Horowitz Andreessen Academy, a one-year program designed as a pipeline for young people to build or join Silicon Valley startups. The academy trades traditional degrees and homework for short classes and paid internships at tech companies.

Ten tech giants partner on the program

The academy launches with 10 partners including Anduril, Anthropic, Coinbase, Google, Meta, Nvidia, OpenAI, Palantir, Replit, and Stripe. a16z is funding the initiative with $42 million.

Classes taught by Silicon Valley leaders

Students attend short classes led by tech figureheads like OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, then spend most of their time in co-ops working at partner companies. There are no traditional grades, tests, or homework.

“no traditional grades, tests, or homework”

Free program starts fall 2027

The academy will be free for its first year and accept only 50 students, designed mainly for recent high school graduates. Students must move to San Francisco and arrange their own housing.

Students get $50K in compute credits

Participants receive more than $50,000 in compute credits and a $5,000 travel and research budget from a16z. The program is positioned as highly selective but grants no degree or accreditation.

Part of Silicon Valley's education push

The academy reflects a broader trend of tech billionaires creating alternatives to traditional colleges. a16z founders Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz have been critical of universities, with Andreessen calling Stanford and MIT "political lobbying operations" last year.