A16z is essentially a media company

The power of community and content.

During my week in San Francisco, the most common greeting was: "What event are you attending today?"

Founders and investors filled every corner of the city, hopping between a multitude of events. Some meticulously planned their schedules, others flew in from across the globe, and many dashed off to another event after asking a quick question.

These gatherings focused on AI and entrepreneurship, and one name came up everywhere: A16z.

SF Tech Week: A16z's showcase

This was SF Tech Week—a tech extravaganza organized by Andreessen Horowitz (A16z), hosted annually in major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. The goal? To connect tech workers, industry leaders, startups, and investors through a week of panels, workshops, demo days, and meetups.

Throughout Tech Week, A16z spearheads major events while allowing other companies to submit their own event proposals, adding flexibility and diversity. Since its launch in 2022, Tech Week has become a hit in the tech community.

This year's Tech Week centered on "AI, Climate Tech, and Women in Tech," but also touched on robotics, Web3, gaming, and aerospace. According to A16z partner Katia Ameri, SF Tech Week featured over 600 events in 7 days—a threefold increase from last year.

Participants included tech giants like Google and OpenAI, AI unicorns like Anthropic and Mistral AI, and developer communities like GitHub. A16z's star partners and almost every recognizable AI expert attended.

Event formats varied widely—keynotes, panel discussions, pitch days, hackathons, and even novel twists like the "Pitch and Run" meetup, where 43 tech enthusiasts ran together along the San Francisco coastline while discussing collaborations.

Now, LA Tech Week takes over from SF, shifting focus to content and gaming industries. One notable event is a generative AI film competition with screenings at a Hollywood theater.

A16z's influence and strategy

While many VCs are trying to grow their influence through events, few reach A16z's level. By gathering thousands of like-minded people—entrepreneurs, talent, tech, capital, and customers—A16z creates a unique environment. Social media buzzes with A16z mentions, and discussions about Tech Week spread rapidly.

In addition to Tech Week, A16z partners maintain a strong presence through consistent content output. Compared to traditional VCs, A16z is more like a media company with a knack for content and community marketing. Through blogs, podcasts, and social media, A16z stays deeply engaged with the tech ecosystem.

A16z's "media persona" has been cultivated since its inception. In 2009, they hired Margit Wennmachers to elevate the firm's marketing efforts, putting A16z on the map. However, following the Theranos scandal in 2015, A16z faced negative media coverage and decided to speak for themselves.

In 2021, A16z launched its media site, Future, to create a space for "tech optimism." Despite a strong start, Future struggled to maintain momentum and shut down in 2022.

After Future's closure, A16z adapted its media strategy—rekindling relationships with established outlets and investing in platforms like Substack. A16z also expanded its in-house content channels, combining blogs, newsletters, and podcasts. The "a16z Podcast" features industry leaders in discussions with A16z investors, and has gained a loyal following.

Building KOLs

Leveraging media capabilities, A16z has built a strong content network and cultivated key opinion leaders (KOLs). Marc Andreessen has 1.4 million followers on X, while Ben Horowitz's blog has over 10 million readers. Chris Dixon is a leading voice in Web3 and crypto, and Martin Casado is influential in cloud infrastructure.

By consistently sharing impactful content and participating in high-profile events, A16z partners have kept the firm at the forefront of tech discussions, making them one of the most influential VCs in the industry.

Hands-On involvement

Beyond media, A16z ensures partners stay involved in emerging tech platforms. For instance, A16z partners were early advocates on Clubhouse, turning it into a cultural phenomenon. In AI, A16z promotes open innovation and has opposed restrictive regulations like California Senate Bill 1047.

Since its founding in 2009, A16z has managed over $43 billion in capital, supporting more than 500 startups. In 2023, A16z announced a $4.5 billion AI fund to back generative AI and AI infrastructure startups. With years of media strategy and an expanding portfolio, A16z has transcended the traditional role of a VC, emerging as a key thought leader in global tech.

*Cover photo by Getty