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Overview

The a16z Build Forward Deployed Engineering Fellowship is one of a16z Build's peer-led fellowships for exceptional builders and operators in emerging disciplines. a16z describes it as an eight-week cohort for FDE and applied AI leaders deploying frontier systems inside real-world enterprises. It is part of a16z Build, Andreessen Horowitz's dinner series and community for founders and operators, which runs fellowships for crafts that the job market has not fully named yet.

The fellowship runs for 8 weeks with a dinner series in San Francisco; commitment is flexible and all opt-in. The latest cohort ran in summer 2026. Fellows meet through dinners and events with peers doing the same work at leading AI companies and startups. Founding fellows and cohort members named on the official page include Rohan Chandra (Cursor), Luv Kothari (Snowflake), Kevin Bai (Rippling), Senta Knuth (ElevenLabs), Barry McCardel (Hex), Niko Grupen (Harvey), Isa Gomez (OpenAI).

Applications for the latest cohort are closed; an interest list is open for the next cohort, and no dates are published.

Program details

Designed for Operators, Builders. The program is in person. Participation is generally part time.

Who it is for

Frontline forward deployed engineers and division leaders who pair technical depth with product intuition to ship AI inside live enterprises: people who might call themselves FDE, Applied AI Agent Builder or Director of AI Deployment. There are no formal degree or title requirements on the official page. The fellowship runs in person, primarily in San Francisco.

Check if you are eligible

Check your eligibility for a16z Build Forward Deployed Engineering Fellowship

Admissions and application

Join the interest list on the fellowship page to hear when the next cohort opens. a16z Build does not publish selection criteria beyond the profile of who the fellowship is for, and no acceptance rate is stated. The fellows named on the page are senior practitioners at well-known AI companies and startups, which suggests a selective process.

Benefits

  • A curated cohort of peers doing the same emerging job at leading companies.
  • A dinner series and in-person events, primarily in San Francisco.
  • Access to the wider a16z Build community: dinners, hiring nights, early roles and the newsletter.

Timeline

Length: 8 weeks. Latest cohort: Summer 2026. Dinner series in San Francisco. Applications for the latest cohort are closed; an interest list is open for the next cohort, and no dates are published.

How to go about it

  1. Read what it asks for

    Who can apply, how people get in and whether it is open right now.

  2. Have something to show

    Programs pick people whose work they can already point to. Put yours where it can be found.

  3. Apply the way the program asks

    The program has not published how to apply. Terms and dates change. Check the official page before you act.

What it pays

The official page does not mention a stipend, investment or participation fee. The fellowship is a peer community, not a paid role.

Questions about this program

What is the a16z Build Forward Deployed Engineering Fellowship?

A peer-led fellowship run by a16z Build, a16z's community for founders and operators. An eight-week cohort for FDE and applied AI leaders deploying frontier systems inside real-world enterprises.

Who is it for?

Frontline forward deployed engineers and division leaders who pair technical depth with product intuition to ship AI inside live enterprises: people who might call themselves FDE, Applied AI Agent Builder or Director of AI Deployment.

How long is it and where does it run?

The fellowship runs for 8 weeks with a dinner series in San Francisco; commitment is flexible and all opt-in. The latest cohort ran in summer 2026.

Is it open now?

Applications for the latest cohort are closed; an interest list is open for the next cohort, and no dates are published.

How do I apply?

Use the Join the interest list button on https://build.a16z.com/fellowships/fde. Separately, you can apply to the wider a16z Build community at build.a16z.com/build/join.

Is it paid, and does a16z invest?

The official page does not mention a stipend, an investment or a fee. It is a peer community, not a job or an investment program.

How much time does it take?

The page describes participation as flexible and opt-in, built around dinners and events rather than a fixed curriculum.

Who has been part of it?

Founding fellows and cohort members listed on the official page include Rohan Chandra (Cursor), Luv Kothari (Snowflake), Kevin Bai (Rippling), Senta Knuth (ElevenLabs), Barry McCardel (Hex).

About Andreessen Horowitz

Andreessen Horowitz

Venture Capital

Investing in the future of technology.

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