More on American Dynamism
WHAT WE BELIEVE
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.
THE MOVEMENT
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.
1903
Wright Brothers Take Flight
The Wright Brothers’ first successful powered flight revolutionized transportation, paving the way for modern aviation and radically altering global communication and trade.
1942
The Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project developed the first atomic bomb, shifting the course of WWII and introducing the world to the power of nuclear technology.
1947
Invention of the Transistor
The transistor’s invention led to smaller, faster electronics, enabling the digital age and transforming industries from computing and communications to medicine and entertainment.
1969
The Moon Landing
Apollo 11’s moon landing showcased American technological prowess, inspiring generations and setting the stage for future space exploration and scientific advancements.
1974
Microprocessors
The invention of microprocessors reshaped modern life by revolutionizing computing and empowering the development of personal computers, smartphones, and countless other electronic devices.
1984
The Internet is Born
The internet profoundly transformed society and culture by facilitating global communication, information sharing, and commerce.
1991
Modern Lithium-ion Battery Invented
The invention of the modern Lithium-ion battery enabled portable electronics and electric vehicles, significantly impacting energy storage, transportation, and sustainability.
2007
iPhone is Announced
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.
2015
SpaceX Lands a Rocket First Stage
SpaceX’s historic rocket landing demonstrated reusable rocket technology, drastically reducing space transportation costs, and opening new opportunities in space exploration and commercial activity.
2022
Generative AI Goes Mainstream
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.
Content
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How to Build ChatGPT for Robotics
We’re inching close to generalizable, deployable robot models, but still struggling to find the right bounds for these deployed systems.
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ARES: An Open Source Platform for Robot Data
ARES (Automatic Robot Evaluation System) is an all-in-one, open-source robot data platform, aimed at helping robotics researchers build better models.
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Investing in Northwood New
Northwood is re-architecting ground infrastructure for satellite communications as a distributed, cloud-like network of phased array ground stations.
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Investing in Base Power
Base Power installs batteries that lower energy bills, provide backup power, give customers control over their energy — and could help save our grid.
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How to Build with the Department of Defense
When people think about startups working with the government, the phrase “black box” often comes up. But what if that box is finally being pried open?
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Jensen Huang and Arthur Mensch on Winning the Global AI Race
The global race for AI leadership is no longer just about companies—it’s about nations. AI isn’t just computing infrastructure; it’s cultural infrastructure, economic strategy, and national security all rolled into one.
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DoD Contracting for Startups 101
For startups, working with the Department of Defense (DoD) can feel like stepping into a fortress of bureaucracy — procurement is slow, compliance is daunting, and knowing who actually makes buying decisions is like navi...
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The American Dynamism 50: Companies Shaping the Fight of the Future
These 50 companies aren’t just strengthening America’s ability to deter conflict, they’re re-industrializing America in the process.
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From Thesis to Meme to Fund: Building American Dynamism
For over a century, the United States has been the birthplace of world-changing innovation – from the Wright brothers’ first flight to the invention of the transistor, the moon landing, and the birth of the internet. But...
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AI and the Promise of Hardware Iteration at Software Speed
Machine learning methods applied to physics will speed up simulation times by orders of magnitude and revolutionize the engineering development process.
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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 de...
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World Models and the Sparks of Little Robotics
World models represent a credible promise for leveling the playing field, enabling “little robotics” to innovate and compete more effectively.
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Big Ideas in Tech for 2025
An external "AI brain." Big swings in biopharma. Infinite games. A nuclear resurgence. "Faceless" creators. Google search challengers. Battlefield AI. We asked 50 a16z partners to preview one big idea that will spur innovation in 2025.
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Rebuilding America’s Industrial Backbone
America is a country of immense wealth, but our manufacturing infrastructure is struggling to keep pace.
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Brian Roberts
Brian Roberts is joining Andreessen Horowitz as a General Partner, where he will work across the American Dynamism and AI Apps funds.
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Andy McCall
Andy McCall is joining Andreessen Horowitz as a General Partner. He will work across the American Dynamism and AI Apps funds.
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Autonomy Across Air, Land, and Sea
2024 has been a milestone year for autonomous tech.
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Tesla’s Road Ahead: The Bitter Lesson in Robotics
What does Rich Sutton’s "Bitter Lesson" reveal about the decisions Tesla is making in its pursuit of autonomy?
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A Software-Driven Autonomy Stack Is Taking Shape
Across the industries and companies that comprise American Dynamism, a decoupling of hardware and software for autonomy use cases is underway.
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Toward a Horizontal Robotics Platform
An acceleration of talent, capital, and research progress in the robotics domain could enable the development of a horizontal robotics platform.
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Untethered: Decentralizing Energy to Transform War
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.
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Investing in Saronic
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.
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The American Dynamism Engineering Fellows Program
This is a 12-month program for early-career engineers and researchers with expertise at the intersection of hardware and software.
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AI + a16z
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.
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AI Talks Leave ‘Little Tech’ Out
Regulators influenced by the big companies create barriers to entry for "little tech" and curtail innovation.
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AI for the Physical World
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.
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Decentralizing the Electric Grid
To seize a future of energy abundance, we must simplify the generation, transmission, and consumption of electricity; this entails decentralizing the grid.
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Erin Price-Wright
We are pleased to welcome Erin Price-Wright as our newest American Dynamism partner.
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America Needs More Techno-Optimism
Marc Andreessen and Tyler Cowen discuss techno-optimism, AI, and other topics at the a16z American Dynamism Summit.
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The Future of AI Is Amazing
a16z's Martin Casado lays out the case for AI as a driving force behind incredible advancements in tech, creativity, and the human experience.
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Rebuilding the California Dream with Jan Sramek
California Forever CEO Jan Sramek discusses building an ambitious new city between San Francisco and Sacramento.
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Regulating Crypto in the Name of National Competitiveness with Emilie Choi
a16z's Ben Horowitz & Coinbase's Emilie Choi discuss crypto’s potential to power the next-generation internet and bolster individual freedoms.
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The China Threat: Silicon Valley and the Great Uncoupling
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) discuss why the US must strengthen its technological advantage in areas like AI.
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Securing America’s Future: How Technology Companies and Washington Are Building A Safer World
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.
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Collaborative Disruption at the DoD with Kathleen Hicks and Sharon Weinberger
US Dep. Sec. of Defense Kathleen Hicks is interviewed by Wall Street Journal national security and foreign policy editor Sharon Weinberger.
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Why America Must Lead in AI Investment with Senator Todd Young
Senator Todd Young speaks about the importance of open innovation and US leadership in AI, and why we need to support AI research.
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Sharks Never Stop Swimming: A Conversation with Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban discusses the importance of entrepreneurship for maintaining America’s status as the most innovative place on the planet.
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The Next Generation of Leadership with Governor Wes Moore
Maryland Governor Wes Moore discusses his inspiring journey to the statehouse and how his experiences have shaped his leadership.
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The American Dynamism 50: AI Edition
50 groundbreaking tech companies advancing the national interest, from the last mile to low Earth orbit.
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Investing in Air Space Intelligence
Air Space Intelligence is a modern aerospace company addressing the software crisis in aerospace in both the enterprise and government sectors.
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Big Ideas in Tech for 2024
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.
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How to Win the Fight for America
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.
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Investing in Prepared
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...
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The Superhero Stack: Powering Public Safety
New and emerging technology solutions are beginning to make up a veritable tech stack aimed at tackling public safety.
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How to Scale Nuclear Power
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.
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The Evolution of the Satellite Economy
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.
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Investing in Apex
Apex’s flagship Aries platform satellite bus is being manufactured for scale, targeting both commercial and defense companies where speed is critical.
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Full-Stack Startups in American Dynamism
There are tremendous opportunities in American Dynamism categories for full-stack startups to arise, and these companies can enable thriving new ecosystems.
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It’s Time to Build For America: Announcing Our $500M+ Commitment to Companies Building in American Dynamism
American Dynamism doesn’t fit neatly into one vertical. It is a philosophy that encompasses nearly every aspect of American life and leadership.
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How the U.S. Can Rewire the Pentagon for a New Era
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.
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Investing in Radiant
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...
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Space Launch: Who, What, and Where We’re Going
For a full landscape of the commercial space market, see our previous post: Space: A Market Map.
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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...
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Reshore and Restore: Unlocking American Innovation for the 21st Century
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...
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Building the American Workforce
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...
The American Dynamism 50: The Fight of the Future
50 AI companies advancing the national interest, from the last mile to low Earth orbit.
See Who's on the listMeet the American Dynamism Team
Innovation. 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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Investing Team
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Come See What We’re Building
Acquired By: DuPont
Acquired By: True Talent Advisory
IPO: IOT
M&A: SHPW
Acquired By: Accenture
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/investment-list/. Additionally investments that have participated in a16z accelerator programs can also be found here: https://speedrun.a16z.com/companies/. 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.