The American Dynamism practice invests in founders and companies that support the national interest: aerospace, defense, public safety, education, housing, supply chain, industrials, and manufacturing. We believe that mission-driven and civic-minded founders often build companies that transcend verticals and business models in their quest to solve important national problems. These companies view the government as a customer, competitor, or key stakeholder—and the success of these companies supports the flourishing of all Americans. Dynamic companies exist in all 50 states and have a global impact.
American Dynamism embodies the spirit of innovation, progress, and resilience that drives the United States forward. This powerful force is exemplified by groundbreaking achievements in technology and innovation, shaping both our nation and the global landscape. It reflects the American commitment to pushing boundaries, embracing challenges, and always striving for a brighter, more prosperous future. Investing in visionary founders and teams tackling the world’s most pressing problems is essential to fueling this dynamic spirit and ensuring continued progress for generations to come.
The Wright Brothers’ first successful powered flight revolutionized transportation, paving the way for modern aviation and radically altering global communication and trade.
The Manhattan Project developed the first atomic bomb, shifting the course of WWII and introducing the world to the power of nuclear technology.
The transistor’s invention led to smaller, faster electronics, enabling the digital age and transforming industries from computing and communications to medicine and entertainment.
Apollo 11’s moon landing showcased American technological prowess, inspiring generations and setting the stage for future space exploration and scientific advancements.
The invention of microprocessors reshaped modern life by revolutionizing computing and empowering the development of personal computers, smartphones, and countless other electronic devices.
The internet profoundly transformed society and culture by facilitating global communication, information sharing, and commerce.
The invention of the modern Lithium-ion battery enabled portable electronics and electric vehicles, significantly impacting energy storage, transportation, and sustainability.
The iPhone transformed mobile technology with its innovative touchscreen, advanced camera, and diverse app ecosystem, redefining communication and software interaction, and inspiring numerous consumer and enterprise products.
SpaceX’s historic rocket landing demonstrated reusable rocket technology, drastically reducing space transportation costs, and opening new opportunities in space exploration and commercial activity.
Generative AI reshaped how we think about interacting with computers and the creative process. It also raised important—and yet unanswered—questions in areas such as law, philosophy, and the future of productivity.
How smartphones became the blueprint for modern technology, shaping electric vehicles, robotics, AI, and global supply chains, and why mastering the electro-industrial stack now defines economic and geopolitical power.
Most great organizations start as pirates — breaking rules, defying empires, and building fortunes from the wreckage. “Move fast and break things” captured that spirit: better to be bold and decisive than slow and perfec...
This piece was originally published in The Free Press.
The strongest companies build belief through vivid, human-centered storytelling that conveys real details and lived experiences. By embracing contradictions and showing what’s truly at stake, they create narratives that inspire trust and lasting impact.
Pentagon procurement has devolved into Soviet-style central planning—stifling innovation and production—and calls for bold reforms like commercial-first acquisition, portfolio buying, and startup-friendly contracting to restore speed, scale, and industrial strength.
Recruiting is a founder’s most underestimated challenge, and success comes from mastering sourcing, process, and closing.
The electro-industrial stack is turning hardware into software driven systems and powering a new industrial era.
This summer, we twice witnessed military history unfold. Ukraine first stunned the world with Operation Spider's Web, crippling Russia’s strategic nuclear bomber fleet deep within its territory by using commercial drones...
Large institutional investors can anchor a generational rearmament of the American industrial and innovation base.
Diode is rethinking the PCB workflow by embedding AI into the design process to ensure generated layouts are functional and scalable.
Mariana Minerals is a systems company building the software layer that brings real-time intelligence to mining.
Business leaders and technologists increasingly feel compelled to enter public service. Studying earlier eras will help us understand how to make it work.
The United States should back a critical minerals champion powered by innovation, resilience, speed, and the ingenuity and resolve of American builders.
What happens when AI stops being just infrastructure—and becomes a matter of national identity and global power?
Today’s critical infrastructure—air traffic, logistics, defense—is powered by legacy software. And that’s a problem.
We’re inching close to generalizable, deployable robot models, but still struggling to find the right bounds for these deployed systems.
ARES (Automatic Robot Evaluation System) is an all-in-one, open-source robot data platform, aimed at helping robotics researchers build better models.
Northwood is re-architecting ground infrastructure for satellite communications as a distributed, cloud-like network of phased array ground stations.
In today’s world, the battlefield extends far beyond war zones—it’s embedded in our tech stacks, supply chains, and airspace security systems. So who better to solve these modern challenges than those who’ve served on th...
Base Power installs batteries that lower energy bills, provide backup power, give customers control over their energy — and could help save our grid.
War has always been shaped by technology—from steel and gunpowder to GPS and nuclear weapons. But the decisive technologies of tomorrow aren’t coming—they’re already here.
When people think about startups working with the government, the phrase “black box” often comes up. But what if that box is finally being pried open?
The global race for AI leadership is no longer just about companies—it’s about nations. AI isn’t just computing infrastructure; it’s cultural infrastructure, economic strategy, and national security all rolled into one.
For startups, working with the Department of Defense (DoD) can feel like stepping into a fortress of bureaucracy — procurement is slow, compliance is daunting, and knowing who actually makes buying decisions is like navi...
These 50 companies aren’t just strengthening America’s ability to deter conflict, they’re re-industrializing America in the process.
For over a century, the United States has been the birthplace of world-changing innovation – from the Wright brothers’ first flight to the invention of the transistor, the moon landing, and the birth of the internet. But...
Machine learning methods applied to physics will speed up simulation times by orders of magnitude and revolutionize the engineering development process.
As 2025 begins, industries are evolving at unprecedented speed: robots are revolutionizing manufacturing, terabytes of earth observation data are driving new possibilities, and gaming technology is transforming how we de...
World models represent a credible promise for leveling the playing field, enabling “little robotics” to innovate and compete more effectively.
An external "AI brain." Big swings in biopharma. Infinite games. A nuclear resurgence. "Faceless" creators. Google search challengers. Battlefield AI. We asked 50 a16z partners to preview one big idea that will spur innovation in 2025.
America is a country of immense wealth, but our manufacturing infrastructure is struggling to keep pace.
Brian Roberts is joining Andreessen Horowitz as a General Partner, where he will work across the American Dynamism and AI Apps funds.
Andy McCall is joining Andreessen Horowitz as a General Partner. He will work across the American Dynamism and AI Apps funds.
2024 has been a milestone year for autonomous tech.
What does Rich Sutton’s "Bitter Lesson" reveal about the decisions Tesla is making in its pursuit of autonomy?
Across the industries and companies that comprise American Dynamism, a decoupling of hardware and software for autonomy use cases is underway.
An acceleration of talent, capital, and research progress in the robotics domain could enable the development of a horizontal robotics platform.
Logistics wins wars, and military logistics today means moving fuel. Advanced nuclear microreactors can replace fuel supply chains with on-site power, revolutionizing warfare and saving lives.
a16z is proud to lead Saronic’s Series B and continue supporting founder and CEO Dino Mavrookas and his team of engineers, veterans, and operators.
This is a 12-month program for early-career engineers and researchers with expertise at the intersection of hardware and software.
The stakes are high. The opportunities are profound. From the creation of new medicines to bolstering national defense, this is our vision for the AI-enabled future.
Regulators influenced by the big companies create barriers to entry for "little tech" and curtail innovation.
The U.S. industrial base faces a series of risks that compromise our ability to remain globally competitive. AI is uniquely suited to tackle these complex challenges.
To seize a future of energy abundance, we must simplify the generation, transmission, and consumption of electricity; this entails decentralizing the grid.
We are pleased to welcome Erin Price-Wright as our newest American Dynamism partner.
Marc Andreessen and Tyler Cowen discuss techno-optimism, AI, and other topics at the a16z American Dynamism Summit.
a16z's Martin Casado lays out the case for AI as a driving force behind incredible advancements in tech, creativity, and the human experience.
California Forever CEO Jan Sramek discusses building an ambitious new city between San Francisco and Sacramento.
a16z's Ben Horowitz & Coinbase's Emilie Choi discuss crypto’s potential to power the next-generation internet and bolster individual freedoms.
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) discuss why the US must strengthen its technological advantage in areas like AI.
Anduril Cofounder and CEO Brian Schimpf lays out the case for how and why technology plays a critical role in helping ensure a safer world.
US Dep. Sec. of Defense Kathleen Hicks is interviewed by Wall Street Journal national security and foreign policy editor Sharon Weinberger.
Senator Todd Young speaks about the importance of open innovation and US leadership in AI, and why we need to support AI research.
Mark Cuban discusses the importance of entrepreneurship for maintaining America’s status as the most innovative place on the planet.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore discusses his inspiring journey to the statehouse and how his experiences have shaped his leadership.
50 AI companies advancing the national interest, from the last mile to low Earth orbit.
See Who's on the listInnovation. Progress. Resiliency. Groundbreaking achievement. Our team is committed to identifying and supporting civic-minded founders ready to lead America. Tackling our biggest challenges requires courage. We find the companies who have it.
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Any investments or portfolio companies mentioned, referred to, or described on this page are not representative of all investments in vehicles managed by a16z and there can be no assurance that the investments will be profitable or that other investments made in the future will have similar characteristics or results. Exits include current and former a16z portfolio companies which have been acquired as well as companies which have undergone an initial public offering or direct public offering of shares. Certain publicly traded companies on this list may still be held in Andreessen Horowitz funds. A list of investments made by funds managed by a16z is available here: https://a16z.com/investment-list/. Additionally investments that have participated in a16z accelerator programs can also be found here: https://speedrun.a16z.com/companies/. Excluded from this list are investments for which the issuer has not provided permission for a16z to disclose publicly as well as unannounced investments in publicly traded digital assets. Further, the list of investments is updated monthly and as such may not reflect most recent a16z investments. Past results of Andreessen Horowitz’s investments, pooled investment vehicles, or investment strategies are not necessarily indicative of future results.