Andreessen Horowitz’s Speedrun accelerator has quickly become one of the most competitive programs in tech, with an acceptance rate of less than 0.4%. Originally focused on gaming, then entertainment and media, Speedrun is now a horizontal program open to startups of any type. The 12-week San Francisco-based program invests up to $1 million in each company and provides founders with access to a16z’s network, vendor credits, and expert guidance on go-to-market, branding, and talent sourcing.
A key focus of Speedrun is the founding team. Joshua Lu, general manager of the program, emphasizes that the accelerator looks for teams without “glaring holes” in skills, with complementary strengths and, ideally, a shared history. The program values founders who are technically capable or able to quickly validate market hypotheses, showing initial traction or market proof. “We look for teams that have endeavored to build and try to show us that there’s a little spark we can fan the flames on,” Lu said.
Applicants often make the mistake of overemphasizing market theory or the problem itself, rather than highlighting why their team is uniquely suited to tackle it. Speedrun wants clarity on team dynamics, capability, and proof of concept rather than lofty projections. Founders are encouraged to use AI to polish applications, ensuring clear and concise communication, but over-reliance on AI can backfire during live interviews, where the ability to explain the startup verbally is assessed.
Networking is another critical element. Speedrun provides founders access to a16z’s 600-person team, including both investors and operators who can provide guidance on marketing, finance, management, and other business functions. Lu stresses that the value founders gain from Speedrun is directly tied to how actively they engage with the program’s resources. “What you get out of Speedrun is what you put into it,” he said, highlighting the importance of strategic networking and curiosity.
Founders who have gone through the program, like Mohamed Mohamed of proptech startup Smart Bricks, describe the experience as rigorous but deeply thoughtful. Success, he notes, comes from intellectual honesty, clear articulation of challenges, and precise explanation of what works, what doesn’t, and where help is needed. Speedrun seeks founders who can reason clearly, navigate complex problems, and build with conviction, proving that depth and clarity often outweigh polish or hype.