The American Dynamism practice invests in founders and companies that support the national interest: aerospace, defense, public safety, education, housing, supply chain, industrials, and manufacturing. We believe that mission-driven and civic-minded founders often build companies that transcend verticals and business models in their quest to solve important national problems. These companies view the government as a customer, competitor, or key stakeholder—and the success of these companies supports the flourishing of all Americans. Dynamic companies exist in all 50 states and have a global impact.
American Dynamism embodies the spirit of innovation, progress, and resilience that drives the United States forward. This powerful force is exemplified by groundbreaking achievements in technology and innovation, shaping both our nation and the global landscape. It reflects the American commitment to pushing boundaries, embracing challenges, and always striving for a brighter, more prosperous future. Investing in visionary founders and teams tackling the world’s most pressing problems is essential to fueling this dynamic spirit and ensuring continued progress for generations to come.
The Wright Brothers’ first successful powered flight revolutionized transportation, paving the way for modern aviation and radically altering global communication and trade.
The Manhattan Project developed the first atomic bomb, shifting the course of WWII and introducing the world to the power of nuclear technology.
The transistor’s invention led to smaller, faster electronics, enabling the digital age and transforming industries from computing and communications to medicine and entertainment.
Apollo 11’s moon landing showcased American technological prowess, inspiring generations and setting the stage for future space exploration and scientific advancements.
The invention of microprocessors reshaped modern life by revolutionizing computing and empowering the development of personal computers, smartphones, and countless other electronic devices.
The internet profoundly transformed society and culture by facilitating global communication, information sharing, and commerce.
The invention of the modern Lithium-ion battery enabled portable electronics and electric vehicles, significantly impacting energy storage, transportation, and sustainability.
The iPhone transformed mobile technology with its innovative touchscreen, advanced camera, and diverse app ecosystem, redefining communication and software interaction, and inspiring numerous consumer and enterprise products.
SpaceX’s historic rocket landing demonstrated reusable rocket technology, drastically reducing space transportation costs, and opening new opportunities in space exploration and commercial activity.
Generative AI reshaped how we think about interacting with computers and the creative process. It also raised important—and yet unanswered—questions in areas such as law, philosophy, and the future of productivity.
Across the industries and companies that comprise American Dynamism, a decoupling of hardware and software for autonomy use cases is underway.
An acceleration of talent, capital, and research progress in the robotics domain could enable the development of a horizontal robotics platform.
Logistics wins wars, and military logistics today means moving fuel. Advanced nuclear microreactors can replace fuel supply chains with on-site power, revolutionizing warfare and saving lives.
a16z is proud to lead Saronic’s Series B and continue supporting founder and CEO Dino Mavrookas and his team of engineers, veterans, and operators.
This is a 12-month program for early-career engineers and researchers with expertise at the intersection of hardware and software.
The stakes are high. The opportunities are profound. From the creation of new medicines to bolstering national defense, this is our vision for the AI-enabled future.
Regulators influenced by the big companies create barriers to entry for "little tech" and curtail innovation.
The U.S. industrial base faces a series of risks that compromise our ability to remain globally competitive. AI is uniquely suited to tackle these complex challenges.
To seize a future of energy abundance, we must simplify the generation, transmission, and consumption of electricity; this entails decentralizing the grid.
We are pleased to welcome Erin Price-Wright as our newest American Dynamism partner.
Marc Andreessen and Tyler Cowen discuss techno-optimism, AI, and other topics at the a16z American Dynamism Summit.
a16z's Martin Casado lays out the case for AI as a driving force behind incredible advancements in tech, creativity, and the human experience.
California Forever CEO Jan Sramek discusses building an ambitious new city between San Francisco and Sacramento.
a16z's Ben Horowitz & Coinbase's Emilie Choi discuss crypto’s potential to power the next-generation internet and bolster individual freedoms.
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) discuss why the US must strengthen its technological advantage in areas like AI.
Anduril Cofounder and CEO Brian Schimpf lays out the case for how and why technology plays a critical role in helping ensure a safer world.
US Dep. Sec. of Defense Kathleen Hicks is interviewed by Wall Street Journal national security and foreign policy editor Sharon Weinberger.
Senator Todd Young speaks about the importance of open innovation and US leadership in AI, and why we need to support AI research.
Mark Cuban discusses the importance of entrepreneurship for maintaining America’s status as the most innovative place on the planet.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore discusses his inspiring journey to the statehouse and how his experiences have shaped his leadership.
50 groundbreaking tech companies advancing the national interest, from the last mile to low Earth orbit.
Air Space Intelligence is a modern aerospace company addressing the software crisis in aerospace in both the enterprise and government sectors.
Smart energy grids. Voice-first companion apps. Programmable medicines. AI tools for kids. We asked over 40 partners across a16z to preview one big idea they believe will drive innovation in the coming year.
We believe a strong America means a strong world. A safer world. A more civilized world, which is a term we should use more. And that technology is the backbone of maintaining this order and civilization and always will be.
911 call centers – also known as public safety answering points (PSAPs) – are one of the most actively used public-safety infrastructure systems in the United States, fielding an estimated 240 million calls per year. Tha...
New and emerging technology solutions are beginning to make up a veritable tech stack aimed at tackling public safety.
If we’re going to normalize nuclear power as a reliable energy source, it's essential to understand how we’ve ended up in our current situation.
The cost of launching payloads to orbit has dramatically dropped, igniting a space renaissance. In 2022, a record 186 rocket launches (41 more than the previous year!) underscores this shift. In Part 1 of our satellite economy mini-series, we sit down with John Gedmark, co-founder of Astranis, to reflect on today's innovations, who’s on the other side of the satellite market, the capabilities they’re looking for, competition, and their mission to provide internet access to 4 billion underserved people.
Apex’s flagship Aries platform satellite bus is being manufactured for scale, targeting both commercial and defense companies where speed is critical.
There are tremendous opportunities in American Dynamism categories for full-stack startups to arise, and these companies can enable thriving new ecosystems.
American Dynamism doesn’t fit neatly into one vertical. It is a philosophy that encompasses nearly every aspect of American life and leadership.
We are in the early stages of a generational defense cycle that requires unconventional thinking and tools. Here are some ideas for how to do it.
Tech companies kickstarting American renewal in the fields of agriculture, aviation and space, housing, defense and public safety, education, energy, govtech, manufacturing, logistics, and beyond.
Most people don’t know that nuclear energy — a clean, carbon-free energy source — accounts for 20% of electricity in the United States and over half of its carbon-free electricity. However, while large nuclear reactors a...
For a full landscape of the commercial space market, see our previous post: Space: A Market Map.
In “The Space Age”, I wrote about the importance of mankind extending our reach into the stars. Moreover, I suggested that America is — and should remain — the leader in this endeavor. It was, in many ways, an appeal to...
Whether through COVID-19, climate change, or geopolitical conflict, the past few years have laid bare the tenuous connections underpinning key parts of our modern world. Wars, pandemics, ransomware attacks, and extreme w...
It’s no secret that widespread labor shortages are critically impacting the United States. In construction, companies can’t replace retiring workers fast enough and have started offering housing per-diems to attract work...
For some of us, the echo of the Space Race remains a catalyst for our daily pursuits. But a changing world demands more, and we stand today at the dawn of a new age. Sixty years later, we are in the early innings of the...
To celebrate the LA community and the city's growth, a16z recently hosted Time to Build Los Angeles, an event where we invited LA-based investors, founders, and operators from across a diverse range of industries to talk...
Our nation has a housing crisis.
These are edited highlights from a recent Clubhouse discussion among Hadrian founder and CEO Chris Power, a16z partners Katherine Boyle and Marc Andreessen, and Not Boring newsletter author Packy McCormick. The dialogue...
We’re committed to working with and investing in the best founders who want to make American dynamism real.
Two weeks before the start of our perpetual lockdown, The New York Times columnist and Substack writer Ross Douthat released “The Decadent Society,” a survey of America’s general apathy toward building a more dynamic fut...
As Steve Blank has documented in his “Secret History of Silicon Valley”, the origin of the American high-technology industry traces back nearly a century to the creation of such critical defense technologies as radar, el...
50 AI companies advancing the national interest, from the last mile to low Earth orbit.
See Who's on the listInnovation. Progress. Resiliency. Groundbreaking achievement. Our team is committed to identifying and supporting civic-minded founders ready to lead America. Tackling our biggest challenges requires courage. We find the companies who have it.
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Any investments or portfolio companies mentioned, referred to, or described on this page are not representative of all investments in vehicles managed by a16z and there can be no assurance that the investments will be profitable or that other investments made in the future will have similar characteristics or results. Exits include current and former a16z portfolio companies which have been acquired as well as companies which have undergone an initial public offering or direct public offering of shares. Certain publicly traded companies on this list may still be held in Andreessen Horowitz funds. A list of investments made by funds managed by a16z is available here: https://a16z.com/investments/. Excluded from this list are investments for which the issuer has not provided permission for a16z to disclose publicly as well as unannounced investments in publicly traded digital assets. Further, the list of investments is updated monthly and as such may not reflect most recent a16z investments. Past results of Andreessen Horowitz’s investments, pooled investment vehicles, or investment strategies are not necessarily indicative of future results.