Uncapped with Jack Altman Uncapped #38 | Ben Horowitz from a16z
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Jan 9, 2026 
In this engaging conversation, Ben Horowitz, cofounder of venture firm Andreessen Horowitz and author of bestselling books, shares insights into his dynamic 30-year partnership with Marc Andreessen. They explore the balance of management and investing within a large VC firm and why scale is vital. Ben emphasizes the importance of company culture and the evolution of media, contrasting traditional marketing with the rise of direct channels and podcasts. Tune in to hear his compelling views on execution versus selection in venture capital!
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Long Complementary Partnership
- Ben describes his 30-year partnership with Marc as complementary, likening themselves to Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson.
- He explains their roles: Marc as the superstar idea generator and Ben as the organizer who maximizes Marc's impact.
Disagreeable VCs Versus Heat-Seekers
- Great VCs tend to be high-IQ and disagreeable, which helps them form independent judgments rather than seeking approval.
- Heat-seeking VCs flourish during booms but often disappear after the cycle ends.
Invest For Founder Magnitude
- Evaluate entrepreneurs by the magnitude of their strength and focus on what they can uniquely do rather than their weaknesses.
- Avoid ruling out world-class founders for lacking peripheral skills you can hire for.
