a16z Podcast

Marc Andreessen: What We Got Right—and Wrong—About the Future of Tech

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Jun 2, 2025
Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz and a tech visionary, dives into the journey of building a venture capital firm amidst the 2008 crisis. He shares insights on the evolution of tech, from generalist approaches to specialist firms. Discussions include Facebook's near-sale to Yahoo and the transformation of digital advertising's impact on society. Andreessen explores the rise of 'Little Tech,' the importance of regulatory strategies, and the interplay between technology and politics, revealing the complexities of navigating a modern tech landscape.
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ANECDOTE

Facebook's Near-Sale to Yahoo

  • Yahoo almost acquired Facebook for a billion dollars before the 2008 financial crisis hit and advertising collapsed.
  • This near-sale gave Facebook the means to ultimately walk away and grow into a tech giant independently.
INSIGHT

Scale as Strategic Asset in Venture

  • Scale became a strategic asset in venture as tech companies grew beyond traditional valuation ceilings.
  • The future of venture capital was envisioned as a barbell across stages, not limited to early rounds.
INSIGHT

From Generalist to Specialist VC

  • The shift from generalist to vertical specialization in VC reflects tech's evolution from tools to full-stack companies.
  • Deep domain knowledge became essential to identify winning startups in complex sectors.
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