E155: Ben Horowitz: "The Classic VC Model Is Done”

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Apr 15, 2025

Ben Horowitz, Co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz and best-selling author, shares his insights on the future of venture capital, emphasizing that traditional models are changing. He discusses the importance of resilience in founders and building strong company cultures as key to long-term success. Ben dives into the evolving landscape of AI, crypto, and gaming, predicting how these trends will shape investment strategies. His candid stories and practical wisdom highlight what's needed to thrive in uncertain market cycles.

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INSIGHT

Longevity in Venture Capital

Venture capital firm longevity depends on lasting culture and evolving leadership.
A16z prioritizes a product-first approach, unlike investor-led firms.

INSIGHT

A16z's Product-First Approach

A16z is structured differently, focusing on products for entrepreneurs first.
Their investor team complements this product focus, not the other way around.

INSIGHT

Y Combinator as a Product Firm

Y Combinator's structure allows for investor replacement without hindering functionality.
This makes them a product firm.

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In this thought-provoking debut episode of Turpentine VC, Erik sat down with Ben Horowitz, Co-Founder of Andreessen Horowitz, to explore the evolving landscape of venture capital, leadership, and the future of innovation. Ben shares his insights on navigating market cycles, building resilient companies, and the role of culture in long-term success. This conversation, recorded live at a16z’s Menlo Park offices in 2023, is packed with practical wisdom and candid stories from one of Silicon Valley’s most influential investors.

Highlights:

VC Market Insights: Ben’s perspective on the current venture capital landscape and how it compares to previous cycles.
Leadership Lessons: How to manage effectively during uncertain times and build resilient companies.
Founder Resilience: The key traits that drive founders to succeed and how to foster resilience.
Company Culture: Why culture is a competitive advantage and how to build a strong one.
Investment Strategy: Insights into Andreessen Horowitz's approach to finding and backing standout startups.
Future Trends: Ben’s predictions on AI, crypto, and other emerging technologies.

Guest Bio: Ben Horowitz is a Co-Founder and General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), one of the most prominent venture capital firms in Silicon Valley. He is also the author of best-selling books "The Hard Thing About Hard Things" and "What You Do Is Who You Are." With decades of experience as an entrepreneur, CEO, and investor, Ben is a leading voice in the startup and VC ecosystem.

Our Podcast now receives more than 300,000 downloads a month. Are you interested in sponsoring an episode? Please email David Weisburd at david@weisburdcapital.com.

We’d like to thank @OldCityInvestmentPartners and @Republic for sponsoring this episode!

#VentureCapital #VC #Startups #OpenLP #AssetManagement – Sponsor: Alpha on the Delta is a captivating, invitation-only alternative investment conference held during New Orleans' legendary JazzFest. Now in its third year, it brings together 150 institutional LPs, 30 leading GPs, and visionary entrepreneurs for a dynamic experience of knowledge sharing, relationship building, and cultural celebration.

The carefully curated agenda features engaging panel discussions with industry leaders, facilitated 1:1 meetings, and exciting social events showcasing the vibrant spirit of New Orleans. Attendees also enjoy access to Weekend 2 of JazzFest, offering an unforgettable blend of world-class music, cuisine, and connections. With limited attendance, Alpha on the Delta fosters meaningful relationships and transformative insights in an unparalleled setting.

Join us for a packed agenda spanning the Alternative Investment industry, music, and world-class cuisine. Visit http://HowIInvestDelta.com.

Sponsor: Republic is the leading global investment platform making premier private market opportunities accessible to all investors. With over $3 billion deployed across its network of investment platforms, funds, and affiliated firms, Republic opens the door to new asset classes typically reserved for institutional investors such as—private equity, venture capital, and even sports teams and your favorite film producers.

All securities, including the Hamilton Lane’s Private Infrastructure Fund, are offered through affiliate Republic Broker-Dealer, OpenDeal Broker LLC Member FINRA & SiPC. All securities come with specific risks not limited to a total loss of your investment. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Please review the risks specific to this investment on the HLPIF deal page hosted on http://republic.com/hlpif.

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Links: Andreessen Horowitz (a16z): https://a16z.com/ Subscribe to Turpentine VC: https://link.chtbl.com/TurpentineVC – Questions or topics you want us to discuss on How I Invest? Email us at david@weisburdcapital.

(0:00) Episode preview (1:48) Andreessen Horowitz's structure vs. Y Combinator's approach (4:25) Evolution and public consideration of venture firms (8:15) Alignment issues with venture firms going public (9:38) Fund sizes, market opportunities, and talent retention (15:24) Governance and future trends in venture capital (20:14) Ben Horowitz on technology trends and AI strategy (24:30) Web 3, AI development, and crypto regulatory challenges (29:18) Venture vs. multi-asset firms and LP relations (31:16) Firm strategy influenced by macro factors (32:13) Advice for aspiring venture capitalists and wartime mindset (35:53) Technology optimism and building a tech media company (39:05) Media's impact on tech and concerns about AI power concentration (41:16) Decentralizing power and closing thoughts (41:31) Closing remarks