a16z Speedrun
Sports, Media & Gaming · Run by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) · San Francisco, CA
Every field is checked against a primary source where we can. How we verify.
The facts
All fields verified Oct 1, 2026- Terms model
- Equity for cashInvests cash in your company and takes equity (an ownership stake) in return.
- Investment
- up to $1,000,000 ($500,000 for 10% via a SAFE, plus up to $500,000 into the next round)
- Equity taken
- 10%
- Program length
- 12 weeks
- Format
- In person
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
- Cohorts per year
- 2
- Cohort size
- 60 to 70 teams (recent cohorts)
- Stage focus
- pre-seed to seed
- Sub-vertical
- early-stage startups across categories, including games
- Demographic focus
- Not published
- Backers
- Andreessen Horowitz
- Notable alumni
- Sekai, Fundamental Research Labs, k-ID
Terms notes: a16z Speedrun invests up to $1,000,000 per company: $500,000 for 10% via a SAFE, plus up to $500,000 into the company's next round within 18 months, along with more than $10,000,000 in cloud, AI, and software credits. Standard terms also include a pro rata right in later rounds and an employee option pool; speedrun takes no board seat. The program runs 12 weeks in person in San Francisco, with two cohorts per year; recent cohorts have had 60 to 70 teams. SR008 runs from late January through April 2027, with a priority application window of October 12 to November 1, 2026; applications are also accepted year round. The SR007 application window closed May 17, 2026.
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Terms in plain English
a16z Speedrun invests up to $1,000,000 in each company: $500,000 for 10% of the company via a SAFE, plus up to $500,000 into the company's next round within 18 months. Companies also receive more than $10,000,000 in cloud, AI, and software credits. The program runs 12 weeks in person in San Francisco, and speedrun hosts two cohorts a year. Speedrun takes no board seat, but its standard terms include a pro rata right in later rounds and an employee option pool.
Who this is actually for
Pre-seed and seed founders who can commit to 12 weeks in person in San Francisco and are comfortable with a $500,000 first check for 10% via a SAFE, plus up to $500,000 more in their next round. The program's current site names no sector focus and says it prioritizes the backgrounds of founders over their ideas.
a16z Speedrun application deadlines
Frequently asked questions
- When is the next a16z Speedrun application deadline?
- The next confirmed application window for a16z Speedrun opens Oct 12, 2026 and closes Nov 1, 2026.
- How much does a16z Speedrun invest?
- a16z Speedrun lists an investment of up to $1,000,000 ($500,000 for 10% via a SAFE, plus up to $500,000 into the next round).
- How much equity does a16z Speedrun take?
- a16z Speedrun lists equity of 10%.
- Where is a16z Speedrun located and is it in person?
- a16z Speedrun is based in San Francisco, CA and runs an in person program.
- Is a16z Speedrun still active?
- As of our last check on Oct 1, 2026, a16z Speedrun is active.
Compare this program
Put a16z Speedrun side by side with up to two others to weigh cash, equity, and timing.
Compare a16z SpeedrunGuides that explain these terms
Plain-English mechanics, with worked hypothetical numbers.
- Corporate accelerators and pilot programs: when the program is really a customerHow league, media, and corporate pilot programs differ from cash accelerators, what they actually pay you in, and the questions to ask before trading equity for access.
- How accelerator SAFEs work: caps, discounts, and MFN clausesA plain-English walkthrough of the SAFE terms accelerators use, with a worked example of how an MFN clause converts at a later round's terms.
More like a16z Speedrun
Sources
Everything above was checked against these, verified Oct 1, 2026.