Tech x Games Accelerator Returns to SF for Winter ‘25

A16Z GAMES SPEEDRUN is coming back to SF! SR004 will run for 12 weeks starting January 6th, 2025, and culminate in a Demo Day during GDC week. Applications will be open from August 26th to September 30th, 2024.

SPEEDRUN is A16Z GAMES’ early-stage accelerator for startups at the intersection of Tech x Games. We invest $750K in each selected company.

Our intensive 12-week program is highly selective, with ~1% of applicants accepted in our last cohort. Participants are supported not just with capital, but also by a highly curated set of industry luminary coaches, mentors, and a community of ambitious founders.

What You’ll Get

Community - Entry into a community oflike-minded founders, Access to exclusive resources, events, and partners within our network Capital - Direct investment from A16Z GAMES, Fundraising support with connections to hundreds of external investors Coaching - 1:1 Mentorship with the a16z team, Curated sessions with industry leaders

Verticals

a list of verticals that SPEEDRUN invests in, AI, Playable apps, Game studios, AR, VR, Infra and Tools, UGC, Interactive Platforms, Web 3

SPEEDRUN

Program Overview

A list of the SPEEDRUN Program Overview. Technology Inflections, Product-Market Fit, Launch and Growth, Partnerships, Marketing $ GTM, Company Building, Fundraising

Key Details + Dates

SPEEDRUN is coming back to  San Francisco

Key Dates and Details for Speedrun 004.

Success Stories + Impact

Application Process

Applications for our Winter ‘25 session will be open from August 26th through September 30th, 2024. We aim to get back to applicants within ~3-4 weeks of submission.

FAQ

Who is eligible for SPEEDRUN?

Any early-stage founder that is building at the intersection of Tech x Games! Our current cohort has companies building everything from live ops tools to digitized wargames, social trivia platforms, avatar foundation models, and casual mobile games.

How does A16Z GAMES select teams for SPEEDRUN?

Great teams come in many shapes and forms but will generally have a few common traits:

Extremely high hustle and intellect
Earned secrets and a reason why they win
Strong, complementary skill sets (e.g., tech, business, GTM, etc.)
Proof of demand and/or validation of hypotheses (e.g., prototypes, metrics), which is encouraged, but not required!

How much does A16Z GAMES invest?

A16Z GAMES invests $750K in each accepted company.

Can I apply if I'm a solo founder?

Yes definitely! We’ve had solo founders in the program and have also helped solo founders match. However, since creating successful startups is a difficult endeavor, we generally prefer taking on teams with multiple founders.

If I have already secured funding, can I still apply to SPEEDRUN?

We aim to be the first check into your company, but we also take early-stage companies that have already raised capital.

Can I seek additional funding while participating?

Yes, the SPEEDRUN investment can be used alongside a wider round. However, we recommend that founders delay raising additional capital until they’ve had a chance to go through the program, make progress, and present on Demo Day.

How many companies does A16Z GAMES admit into each cohort?

There is no minimum number of companies we will take for SPEEDRUN. Our main priority is keeping a very high bar for founders we admit into the program.

Which members of the A16Z GAMES team will I collaborate with?

You will receive support from the entire A16Z GAMES team in your company-building efforts across marketing, recruiting, HR, partnerships, publishing, and creators. You will also have a dedicated cohort lead from the investment team.

What are the dates of the SPEEDRUN program?

The SF program will run from January 6th – March 23rd, 2025.

Does SPEEDRUN happen in person or virtually?

We encourage all SPEEDRUNNERs to temporarily move to San Francisco to build community and require one day in person per week for founders to hear from luminary speakers and engage with other members of SR004.

What is the expected time commitment?

We want you to prioritize building your company, so SPEEDRUN is designed to only require one day a week in person for lectures, speakers, and office hours.

Does SPEEDRUN invest in multiple startups building within the same space?

Because these startups are so early and ideas often pivot, we may fund other startups in adjacent spaces.

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