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Overview

The a16z College Talent Network is Andreessen Horowitz's program for undergraduate and graduate students in computer science and related engineering fields. It has run since the firm's founding in 2009 and is led by a16z's Full Stack Talent team (Mariel Goldenstein and Justin Bethune are named on the page).

Members get one-on-one guidance from a16z talent partners, resume and interview advice, help weighing offers, direct introductions to hiring managers and recruiters at a16z portfolio companies, and invitations to career fairs, fireside chats, mixers and private dinners. The team says it has mentored tens of thousands of students. Membership is long term: after college, members stay in a16z's broader Talent Network for roles from internships to executive positions.

It is not a placement agency and does not hire for a16z itself. Fall 2026 campus events run at Stanford, UC Berkeley, MIT, UT Austin, Georgia Tech, the University of Michigan and Harvard. The team also runs a student hackathon and will review pitch decks from college students.

Program details

Designed for Students, University Students, Engineering Candidates, Phd Postgrad. The program is hybrid. Participation is generally cohort events only.

Who it is for

Open to junior and senior undergraduates, master's and PhD students majoring in computer science or similar fields, including mechanical, aerospace, nuclear and electrical engineering. Strong software development, project management or design skills are expected. Grades help, but a16z says it looks beyond GPA for scrappiness suited to startups.

Check if you are eligible

Check your eligibility for a16z College Talent Network

Admissions and application

Apply with the Apply to Join button on a16z.com/college-talent, which opens a16z's RippleMatch page. Applications are rolling. Referrals are welcome by email to collegetalent@a16z.com. No acceptance rate is published.

Benefits

  • One-on-one mentorship and career guidance from a16z talent partners.
  • Resume and interview preparation, and help comparing offers.
  • Direct introductions to hiring managers and recruiters at a16z portfolio companies.
  • Invitations to career fairs, fireside chats, mixers and private dinners on campus.
  • Long-term membership in a16z's broader Talent Network.
  • A route to get a startup pitch deck in front of the right a16z team (college students only).

Timeline

Rolling applications. Campus visits happen each fall and spring. Fall 2026 events: UC Berkeley internship fair Sep 16; Georgia Tech computing career fair Sep 17; Harvard fireside and mixer Sep 22; MIT fireside Sep 23 and career fair Sep 25; Stanford career fair Oct 7 and fireside Oct 22; UT Austin fireside Oct 27; UC Berkeley fireside Nov 4; University of Michigan fireside Nov 11, 2026.

What came of it

Official testimonials from Stanford and UC Berkeley computer science students describe hands-on resume help and direct introductions to many portfolio companies until they found roles. a16z does not publish placement numbers.

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

    Applications are open. Terms and dates change. Check the official page before you act.

What it pays

No fee is mentioned on the official page. The network pays no stipend and does not place members; any compensation comes from the portfolio company that hires you.

Questions about this program

What is the a16z College Talent Network?

An a16z network that supports undergraduate and graduate students early in their careers with mentorship, resume and interview help, introductions to a16z portfolio companies, and campus events.

Who can join?

Junior and senior undergraduates, master's and PhD students majoring in computer science or similar fields, including mechanical, aerospace, nuclear and electrical engineering, with strong software, project management or design skills.

How do I apply?

Use the Apply to Join button on a16z.com/college-talent, which leads to a16z's page on RippleMatch. Applications are rolling.

Does a16z place members in jobs or hire them?

No. The team does not do placements and is not a recruiter for a16z or its portfolio. It introduces members to hiring managers at portfolio companies; roles are on jobs.a16z.com.

How is it different from a fellowship?

It is a long-term career partnership rather than a time-boxed fellowship. Once accepted, members keep access to the team as a resource at every stage of their career and join a16z's broader Talent Network.

When is the team on campus?

In the fall and spring. Fall 2026 events run September 16 to November 11, 2026 at Stanford, UC Berkeley, MIT, UT Austin, Georgia Tech, the University of Michigan and Harvard.

Will a16z look at my startup pitch deck?

College students can email their deck with name, university, major and graduation date to collegetalent@a16z.com; the team may pass it to the right a16z team. Unsolicited decks from non-students are not considered.

I don't meet the requirements. Can I still get a job at an a16z company?

Yes. All open roles across the a16z portfolio are listed at jobs.a16z.com.

How long has the program existed?

a16z says the College Talent Network has run since the firm's founding in 2009.

Does a16z sponsor hackathons?

You can email event details to collegetalent@a16z.com for sponsorship consideration. The team also runs its own student hackathon.

About Andreessen Horowitz

Andreessen Horowitz

Venture Capital

Investing in the future of technology.

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