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a16z's accelerator: up to $1M, $10M+ in credits and a 12-week in-person program in San Francisco.

AcceleratorApplicationInvestmentFull TimeIn PersonSan Francisco, California, United States

Overview

a16z speedrun is Andreessen Horowitz's accelerator for very early-stage startups. Accepted companies get up to $1M in funding, more than $10M in partner credits, and a 12-week, in-person program in San Francisco run by speedrun's investors and operators, ending in a Demo Day for investors.

speedrun launched in 2023 and grew out of a16z's games practice (a16z.com/games now redirects to speedrun). Its own site says it has deployed more than $300M into over 300 startups, and the founder community numbers more than 600. It runs two cohorts a year in San Francisco; recent cohorts had 60 to 70 teams, and speedrun says its acceptance rate is below 0.4%.

Read the full documented overview

The program moves through sequential modules: product and MVP, brand and go-to-market, customer acquisition and launch, fundraising and partnerships, team building and scaling, community and enterprise sales, and product-market fit and Demo Day prep. It is delivered through keynotes with well-known founders, workshops and office hours. Past speakers and mentors include Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz, Fei-Fei Li, Kevin Weil, Dylan Field, Guillermo Rauch and Tony Xu.

Founders can come from anywhere; the Global Founders Program helps with visas, banking and relocation. speedrun is the home of a16z's early-stage program family, which also includes the speedrun Alpha Fellowship for students and recent grads and the speedrun Talent Network.

Program details

Designed for Founders. The program is in person. Participation is generally full time.

Who it is for

  • Early-stage founders from any background and any country.
  • Teams must be able to build and iterate on the product in house, which usually means a technical cofounder.
  • Solo founders can apply; teams with complementary skills are preferred.
  • Companies that have already raised capital can apply.
  • Founders must be able to attend the 12-week program in person in San Francisco. Students and employees can apply but must commit full time to the startup.
  • Submit one idea per team; speedrun suggests focusing on your strongest idea.

Check your startup’s fit

Admissions and application

Apply online at speedrun.a16z.com/apply. Applications are accepted anytime and reviewed on a rolling basis, usually within 4 to 6 weeks; applications that miss a cohort deadline are reviewed for the next cohort.

If speedrun wants to move forward, it invites you to send a short video pitch or to a 15-minute interview, then may ask for references, data or more detail before a quick final decision. Because volume is high, only teams invited to interview get specific feedback.

What speedrun looks for: a proven capacity to go from zero to one without waiting for permission, rapid execution, unique insights or earned secrets, complementary skills across technology, business and go-to-market, and early signs of market validation (encouraged, not required). speedrun says it is extremely selective, with an acceptance rate below 0.4%. Rejected teams can reapply for a later cohort.

Benefits

  • Up to $1M in funding, wired immediately on close.
  • More than $10M in credits from AWS, GCP, OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Stripe, Deel and others, plus priority access to model providers, app stores and social platforms.
  • Business development help: partnership, sales and pricing advisors, and access to a16z and speedrun's network of decision-makers at 2,000+ companies.
  • Marketing programs: Launch Lab (launch moment across video, social and press), Brand Lab (brand sprint with logo, type, deck and website), Creator Connect and Press Club.
  • In-house recruiters who source technical talent, executives and advisors for speedrun companies.
  • People operations support, plus finance introductions to commercial banks and credit partners.
  • Fundraising program: an in-person Demo Day and an online platform reaching 1,000+ early-stage investors, with pitch practice and negotiation coaching.
  • Global Founders Program for visas, banking and relocation, with access to immigration attorneys.
  • Alumni network and events after the program.

Timeline

  • Two cohorts a year, both in San Francisco, each 12 weeks long.
  • SR007 (summer and fall 2026): application deadline May 17, 2026, 11:59 PM PT.
  • Demo Day for the current cohort: October 6, 2026 (invite-only; investors apply at speedrun.a16z.com/investor/sign-up).
  • SR008: late January through April 2027 in San Francisco. No SR008 deadline has been published; applications submitted now are reviewed for SR008.
  • Review usually takes 4 to 6 weeks from application.

Outcomes and track record

speedrun says it has deployed more than $300M into over 300 startups since launching in 2023 (a16z.com/speedrun still shows an older figure of $180M and 200+ startups). Founder testimonials on the official site include Sekai (Lucky Zhang), Fundamental Research Labs (Robert Yang) and k-ID (Kieran Donovan), whose founder credits speedrun with helping hire its CTO and reach an oversubscribed Series A. The portfolio is listed at speedrun.a16z.com/companies.

How to approach this opportunity

  1. Understand the program

    Review who can apply, how the process works, and whether applications are currently open.

  2. Build relevant evidence

    Keep a visible record of the startups, markets, and founder communities you understand.

  3. Follow the application process

    Applications are reported open. Use the official destination and verify the deadline before submitting.

How compensation works

speedrun's standard deal (published at speedrun.a16z.com/the-deal):

  • $500K for 10% upfront on a SAFE.
  • Another $500K invested in the company's next round within 18 months, for up to $1M in total.
  • A pro rata right to invest in later rounds.
  • An option pool set aside for new employees (speedrun can help set it up and incorporate the company).
  • No board seat.

There is no fee to participate. speedrun recommends waiting to raise other capital until after Demo Day, but its check can sit inside a broader round.

Questions about this program

How much does a16z speedrun invest?

Up to $1M. speedrun invests $500K for 10% on a SAFE when you join, then another $500K in your next round within 18 months. Companies also get more than $10M in cloud, AI and software credits.

What are the speedrun deal terms beyond the check?

speedrun asks for a pro rata right in later rounds and for the company to set aside an option pool. It takes no board seat. It wires funds immediately on close and accepts companies on a rolling basis.

When is the next speedrun cohort and deadline?

The next cohort, SR008, runs from late January through April 2027 in San Francisco. The SR007 deadline was May 17, 2026. Applications are accepted anytime; off-cycle applications are reviewed automatically for the upcoming cohort.

Do I have to move to San Francisco?

You do not have to move your company, but the 12-week program is in person in San Francisco, so founders must be able to attend on site. The Global Founders Program helps with visas, banking and relocation.

Can international founders or founders without a US visa apply?

Yes. speedrun accepts founders from anywhere. If you are admitted, the Global Founders Program helps with visa petitions, consulate interviews and border crossings, and connects you to immigration attorneys.

Can a solo founder or a non-technical founder get into speedrun?

Solo founders can apply, though speedrun generally prefers teams with complementary skills. The program is for teams that can build the product in house, which usually means a technical cofounder.

Can I apply if my startup has already raised money?

Yes. speedrun aims to be the first check but also accepts early-stage companies that have already raised.

How selective is speedrun and how many companies are in a cohort?

speedrun says its acceptance rate is lower than 0.4%. There is no fixed cohort size; recent cohorts had 60 to 70 teams.

What does the selection process look like?

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, usually within 4 to 6 weeks. If speedrun wants to move forward, it asks for a short video pitch or a 15-minute interview, and may then request references or data. Only interviewed teams get specific feedback.

What does speedrun look for in applicants?

Teams that go from zero to one without waiting for permission, execute fast, have unique insights or earned secrets, bring complementary technical and go-to-market skills, and ideally show early validation such as a prototype or metrics.

Can I do speedrun while in school or working full time?

You can apply as a student or employee, but speedrun expects a full-time commitment to the startup during the program. In-person sessions typically take one focused day per week.

Can I reapply if I am rejected?

Yes. speedrun does not re-review a team within one application period, but many repeat applicants have been admitted in later cohorts.

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