a16z Scout Program
Scout Program
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a16z Scout Program
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Scout Program
The a16z Scout Program is one of the most well-known and longest-running venture scout programs in the industry. Andreessen Horowitz, managing approximately $42 billion in assets under management, operates a dedicated scout fund that empowers dozens of scouts worldwide to write small checks into early-stage startups on behalf of the firm.
Scouts are given capital to deploy autonomously, typically writing checks of $10,000 to $25,000 per deal, with some scouts managing six-figure budgets. Scouts can make up to approximately eight deals per year. When a16z is particularly bullish on a deal sourced by a scout, the firm can top up the investment with larger follow-on capital from its main funds. This structure allows a16z to maintain an extraordinarily wide deal funnel across geographies and sectors that its core partner team cannot cover directly.
The program has been expanding internationally, with a focus on leveraging local networks to find talented engineers and founders who might be missed by partners based primarily in the US.
Join the Superscout community!
🌍 Meet other scouts globally.
👀 Get first dibs on new scout programs and VC openings.
✨ Get feedback and investor recommendations for your deal memos.
✌️ Learn and grow together as a community!
The a16z Scout Program aims to broaden deal flow beyond the partnership by leveraging the unique networks of scouts who are operators, founders, or technical leaders. This model allows a16z to access early-stage deals that may not be visible to traditional institutional investors.
By invitation only through a16z partners. Scouts are typically operators, founders, or technical leaders with unique networks and the ability to identify exceptional founding teams early.
Scouts receive $10,000-$25,000+ in deployment capital per deal and earn carried interest on the returns of their investments. Additional benefits include quarterly meetings with a16z partners for portfolio reviews and educational sessions, and access to a16z's extensive network.
There is no cost to participate in the program.
The program is ongoing with multi-year appointments and a rolling cohort cadence.
Scouts are expected to engage part-time, with the flexibility to manage their own investment activities.
The program operates remotely, allowing scouts to work from various locations while maintaining connections with a16z partners.
"a16z has venture scouts scattered across Europe" - TechCrunch, January 2025. Reports on a16z adding at least nine new scouts to its European network in early 2025, maintaining deal flow in the region after closing its London office. Link
"A16z continues to grow its scout network in Europe after closing London office" - Sifted, 2025. Confirms the European expansion and profiles the strategic rationale for maintaining scouts without permanent office infrastructure. Link
Focus on building a strong network and identifying exceptional founding teams early. Leverage your unique background and experiences to source deals that may not be visible to traditional investors.
Q: How do I apply to the a16z Scout Program? A: Applications are by invitation only through a16z partners.
Q: What kind of support do scouts receive? A: Scouts receive capital to deploy, access to educational sessions, and quarterly portfolio reviews with a16z partners.
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