a16z Podcast

Andreessen Horowitz

The a16z Podcast discusses tech and culture trends...

  • 32 minutes 33 seconds
    Marc Andreessen: Can Tech Finally Fix Healthcare?

    Healthcare is a $4 trillion industry, making up nearly a fifth of the U.S. economy—but despite having some of the best doctors and advanced technology, the system often delivers poor outcomes at skyrocketing costs. Why is this the case, and what will it take to fix it?

    In this episode, a16z cofounder Marc Andreessen and General Partners Vijay Pande and Julie Yoo tackle some of the biggest questions shaping the future of healthcare:

    • Is the solution to our healthcare crisis a policy, technology, or competition problem?
    • Will AI and technology transform the industry, or are regulatory and structural barriers too entrenched?
    • Who will crack the code—healthcare incumbents, tech giants, or AI-native startups?

    From chronic care to cost curves, from disruptive technologies to shifting patient agency, this conversation offers an unfiltered look at what’s broken in the healthcare system and how it might finally change.

    Resources: 

    Find Marc on X: https://x.com/pmarca

    Find Vijay on X: https://x.com/vijaypande

    Find Julie on X: https://x.com/julesyoo

    The Biggest Company in the World

    Why Will Healthcare be the Industry that Benefits Most from AI?

    Grand Challenges in Healthcare AI with Vijay Pande and Julie Yoo

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    Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

    Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

    Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

    Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio

    Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

    15 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 36 minutes 45 seconds
    Building Substack: Reinventing Culture through Subscriptions

    In this episode, Substack cofounder and CEO Chris Best joins a16z General Partner Andrew Chen to discuss the origins and evolution of Substack, a platform redefining media and empowering creators to connect directly with their audiences. They dive into how Substack’s early days led to over 3 million paid subscribers, why creators are moving away from traditional platforms to establish direct connections with their audiences, and how the future of media in the AI era is reshaping opportunities for writers, podcasters, and video creators.

    From Chris’s lessons scaling Kik Messaging to Substack’s profound impact on the creator economy, this conversation shares insights on building platforms, culture, and opportunity in the modern era.

     

    Resources: 

    Find Chris on Substack: https://cb.substack.com/

    Find Andrew Chen on Substack: https://andrewchen.substack.com/

     

    Stay Updated: 

    Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

    Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

    Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

    Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio

    Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

    9 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 34 minutes 54 seconds
    Crypto Trends for 2025: Stablecoins, App Stores, UX, and More

    with @sambroner @meigga @darenmatsuoka @jneu_net @chrislyons and @rhhackett @smc90

    Welcome to our special end-of-year episodes -- which also look ahead to 2025 --  covering our annual Big Ideas lists, where various a16z crypto team members share what they are personally excited about. (You can see the firmwide list, also including all the trends of the crypto team,  here.)

    This episode is part 1 of 2 -- but you don't have to listen to them in any particular order -- covering the trends and themes of:

    • stablecoins, payments, and where the early adopters will come from;
    • app store distribution, curation, and discovery;
    • where the next crypto users will come from, turning passive holders into active users;
    • how builders improve, and better choose, infrastructure; and
    • simplifying user experience.

     Covering each of these -- and coming from the investing, go-to-market, data science, research, and media teams are:  Sam Broner, Maggie Hsu, Daren Matsuoka, Joachim Neu, and Chris Lyons; in conversation with hosts Sonal Chokshi and Robert Hackett. (Stay tuned until the end for some of our meta-commentary.) 

    These are just 5 of the 14 trends we shared; you can check out the full list at a16zcrypto.com/bigideas.

    Also be sure to check out part 2, which covers all the trends at the intersection of crypto and AI. 

    As a reminder, none of the content is investment, business, legal, or tax advice; please see a16z.com/disclosures for more important information -- including a link to a list of our investments.

    3 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 52 minutes 9 seconds
    Super Staffing Healthcare, Codifying Compliance, & Scaling Services

    As we prepare to step into 2025, the possibilities for applied AI are reshaping industries in profound ways.

     In this episode, a16z General Partners Julie Yoo and Angela Strange, and Partner Joe Schmidt, dive into the transformative power of AI across healthcare, fintech, and traditional service sectors.

    We explore:

    • Super Staffing for Healthcare: How AI can address critical clinical labor shortages and augment care delivery at scale.
    • Regulation Becomes Code: The potential for AI to simplify and streamline compliance, making systems safer and more efficient.
    • Romanticizing Inorganic Growth: The opportunity for AI-powered startups to redefine service industries through workflow automation and strategic acquisition.

    With insights from a16z’s Bio + Health, Fintech, and Apps teams, this episode unpacks the ideas that will revolutionize traditional systems and unlock opportunities in 2025.

    Check out the full 50 Big Ideas for 2025 at a16z.com/bigideas.

     

    Resources: 

    Find Angela on X: https://x.com/astrange

    Find Julie on X: https://x.com/julesyoo

    Find Joe on X: https://x.com/joeschmidtiv

    Link to article 'The Messy Inbox Problem: Wedge Strategies in AI Apps': https://a16z.com/the-messy-inbox-problem-ai-apps-wedge-strategies

     

    Stay Updated: 

    Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

    Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

    Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

    Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio

    Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

    30 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 42 minutes 45 seconds
    The Race for AI—Search, National Infrastructure, & On-Device AI

    The AI race is on, and 2025 could be its most transformative year yet.

    In this episode, a16z General Partners Anjney Midha and Jennifer Li, and Partner Alex Immerman dive into the trends reshaping AI and its impact on search, infrastructure, and devices.

    We explore:

    • How AI-native tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity are challenging Google’s search dominance.
    • The rise of infrastructure independence as governments prioritize compute, energy, and data.
    • The future of smaller, on-device AI models driving privacy, performance, and new consumer applications.

    With insights from a16z’s Growth and Infrastructure teams, this episode unpacks the forces driving AI innovation—and the opportunities founders and nations could seize to lead in the next wave of technology.

    Stay tuned for more in this four-part series, and explore the full 50 Big Ideas for 2025 at a16z.com/bigideas.

    Resources: 

    Find Alex on X: https://x.com/aleximm

    FInd Anjney on X: https://x.com/AnjneyMidha

    FInd Jennifer on X: https://x.com/JenniferHli

    Stay Updated: 

    Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

    Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

    Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

    Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio

    Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

    25 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 41 minutes 59 seconds
    Jobs of the Future, Harnessing Earth Observation, & Gaming Tech Advances

    As 2025 begins, industries are evolving at unprecedented speed: robots are revolutionizing manufacturing, terabytes of earth observation data are driving new possibilities, and gaming technology is transforming how we design, train, and innovate across sectors.

    In this episode, a16z General Partner Erin Price-Wright, Engineering Fellow Millen Anand, and Partner Troy Kirwin discuss the trends reshaping the future of hardware, software, and beyond.

    We explore:

    • How robots and full-stack engineers are driving the next industrial renaissance.
    • The explosion of Earth observation data and its potential to revolutionize industries.
    • How gaming technology is moving beyond entertainment to reshape training, design, and more.

    This is just the beginning of our four-part series on 50 Big Ideas for 2025—don’t miss the full list at a16z.com/bigideas.

    Resources: 

    Find Erin on X: https://x.com/espricewright

    Find Millen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/millen-anand/

    Find Troy on X: https://x.com/tkexpress11

    Stay Updated: 

    Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

    Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

    Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

    Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio

    Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

    20 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 45 minutes 26 seconds
    Scaling Shopify: Tobias Lütke and Ben Horowitz on Building a Global Giant

    In this episode of Web3 with a16z, Shopify CEO and cofounder Tobias Lütke joins a16z cofounder Ben Horowitz for a conversation recorded live at the a16z crypto Founders Summit.

    Together, they explore what it takes to build a breakout startup in a competitive market, the changing landscape of retail, and how to drive workplace change while navigating corporate culture and calls for activism.

    Tobias shares the story behind Shopify's growth from a snowboarding store to a global ecommerce platform serving millions of merchants, discusses the moral imperative of creating great software, and offers insights on leadership, innovation, and embracing negativity as a tool for progress.

    The episode also touches on the intersection of AI and crypto, the power of decentralization, and the next wave of technologies reshaping business and commerce.

     

    Resources:

    Find Ben on X: https://x.com/bhorowitz

    Find Toni on X: https://x.com/tobi

     

    Stay Updated: 

    Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

    Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

    Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

    Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio

    Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

    16 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 44 minutes 38 seconds
    How AI is Transforming Labor Markets

    Did you know the U.S. nurse labor market is over $600 billion annually, but the dedicated software market for nurses is almost zero?

    In this episode General Partners Alex Rampell, David Haber, and Angela Strange discuss how AI is revolutionizing labor by automating tasks traditionally done by humans.

    They’ll trace the evolution of cloud eras — from the original to financial services-enabled to the current AI-enabled outcomes era — showcasing how AI is creating unprecedented opportunities, allowing startups to outpace incumbents. They also explore how this shift will reshape industries, where we are in the adoption curve and what companies need to succeed, and the gaps where the a16z Enterprise team would love to see more innovation.

    Resources:

    Stay Updated:

    Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.a

     

    11 December 2024, 3:59 pm
  • 40 minutes 39 seconds
    Fixing Education in America: What's Stopping Us?

    Over half of Americans live in childcare deserts, while 90% of brain development happens before the age of five. All the while, education and childcare remain among the most resistant sectors to technological change. Billions of dollars have been spent, but outcomes continue to lag. Why?

    In this episode, we dive into the systemic issues—misaligned incentives, political resistance, and the lack of a shared vision around the purchase of an education. We also explore how technology and entrepreneurial innovation may be shifting the tide.

    You’ll hear from Anurupa Ganguly (Prisms), Chris Bennett (Wonderschool), Anna Edwards (Whiteboard Advisors), and a16z General Partner Jeff Jordan discuss the criticality of early childhood education, how public-private partnerships are required for scale, and how we can engage risk-averse decision-makers. 

    Listen to learn how the next generation can reclaim the American dream.

     

    Resources: 

    Find Jeff on Twitter: https://x.com/jeff_jordan

    Find Chris on Twitter: https://x.com/8ennett

    Find Anna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annakimseyedwards/

    Find Anurupa on Twitter: https://x.com/aganguly26

     

    Stay Updated: 

    Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

    Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

    Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

    Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio

    Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

    6 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 49 minutes
    Prediction Markets and Beyond

    This episode was originally published on our sister podcast, web3 with a16z. If you’re excited about the next generation of the internet, check out the show: https://link.chtbl.com/hrr_h-XC

    We've heard a lot about the premise and the promise of prediction markets for a long time, but they finally hit the main stage with the most recent election. So what worked (and didn't) this time? Are they really better than pollsters, is polling dead? 

    So in this conversation, we tease apart the hype from the reality of prediction markets, from the recent election to market foundations... going more deeply into the how, why, and where these markets work. We also discuss the design challenges and opportunities (including implications for builders throughout). And we also cover other information aggregation mechanisms -- from peer prediction to others -- given that prediction markets are part of a broader category of information-elicitation and information-aggregation mechanisms. 

    Where do domain experts, superforecasters, pollsters, and journalists come in (and out)? Where do (and don't) blockchain and crypto technologies come in -- and what specific features (decentralization, transparency, real-time, open source, etc.) matter most, and in what contexts?  Finally, we discuss applications for prediction and decision markets -- things we could do right away to in the near-future to sci-fi -- touching on trends like futarchy, AI entering the market, DeSci, and more.  

    Our special expert guests are Alex Taborrok, professor of economics at George Mason University and Chair in Economics at the Mercatus Center; and Scott Duke Kominers, research partner at a16z crypto, and professor at Harvard Business School  -- both in conversation with Sonal Chokshi. 

    As a reminder: None of the following should be taken as business, investment, legal, or tax advice; please see a16z.com/disclosures for more important information. 

     

    Resources:
    (from links to research mentioned to more on the topics discussed)

     

    Stay Updated: 

    Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

    Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

    Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

    Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio

    Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

    2 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 16 minutes 34 seconds
    Death of a Salesforce: Why AI Will Transform Sales

    Sales is evolving. AI-native systems are replacing traditional CRM tools, capturing unstructured insights from emails, Slack, surveys, and more in real time. These systems automate early-stage tasks like prospecting and qualification, enabling sales teams to focus on high-value work—while AI provides live coaching and drives decisions across sales, marketing, and product teams.

    In this episode, a16z partners Joe Schmidt and Marc Andrusko explore the evolution of sales tools and strategies, sharing their insights on what’s driving this shift.

    Is this the “Death of a Salesforce”? Perhaps that’s an overstatement. But one thing is clear: the future belongs to those who leverage data and AI to drive decisions—not just activities.

     

    Resources:

    Find Marc Andrusko on X: https://x.com/mandrusko1

    Find Joe Schmidt on X: https://x.com/joeschmidtiv

    Read the original article: https://a16z.com/ai-transforms-sales/

     

    Stay Updated: 

    Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z

    Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z

    Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z

    Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/

    Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio

    Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

    25 November 2024, 11:00 am
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