A future for independent artists, musicians, writers, and creators
By Megan Holston-Alexander and Derek Dolin
A new suite of modern, accessible tools have made it easier than ever for creators to ideate, produce, and share their work with the world: from using AI-powered platforms to jumpstart an idea to software that manages payroll and insurance for production. New technologies enable creatives to not only produce work and run their businesses, but also break down roadblocks that have historically stifled the ability to remain independent. Artists and creators now have more opportunities to work on their own terms without corporate capital, obligations or oversight. This allows them to retain creative and financial ownership of their brand and IP, an increasingly important part of fostering authentic relationships with communities, fans, and collaborators.
Finding ways to support creatives in every stage of their process is critical to pushing this industry forward. This resonates deeply with the a16z Cultural Leadership Fund (CLF) team as we live at the intersection of culture and technology, connecting the world’s greatest cultural leaders with promising new technology companies. CLF has compiled The New Creator Stack: a view of companies building at the forefront of creativity and independence. These companies are developing new tools for production, publishing, distribution, community engagement, commerce, and even back office systems: areas we see as the most critical to artist independence.
Discover the infrastructure for a new creative class. This representative, not exhaustive, list highlights companies democratizing access to the creative process for those daring to conjure fresh ideas, create without limits, distribute without barriers, and galvanize future cultural movements.
For a full list of a16z investments, please visit: https://a16z.com/portfolio/
Audio, video, visual arts and more, unlock new ways to ideate and produce work that resonates
Reach audiences on your own terms
Fresh ways to foster authentic relationships and promote your work
Deliver experiences unique to your creative POV
Services designed to power new revenue streams, distributed teams, and creator-built businesses
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/. 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.