Marc Andreessen on Startup Timing

a16z Podcast

a16z

Science, Innovation, Business, Entrepreneurship, Culture, Disruption, Software Eating The World, Technology

4.4 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 2 July 2025

⏱️ 18 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

What if now is the best time in decades to start a company? In this episode, taken from Speedrun, a16z’s accelerator for early-stage founders, Marc Andreessen joins games General Partner Jonathan Lai to make the case that we’re entering a once-in-a-generation window for innovation. From the rise of AI to the cultural and policy shifts reshaping the global economy, Marc explains why the next four years present a rare opportunity for builders to seize the moment. Along the way, they discuss market timing, platform shifts, and what sets successful founders apart - including lessons from Steve Jobs, insights into AI’s impact on storytelling and games, and why being “too early” can feel just like being wrong.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is not saying that every startup should be an AI startup or whatever, but there is this incredible new tool that can be used.
0:05.2	And it's just sort of general fact that big companies, big incumbents, have a very hard time reacting to these platform changes.
0:10.4	Sometimes they pull it off, but a lot of times they really struggle.
0:12.7	And so it's sort of the best possible opportunity for a startup going up against an incumbent is when there's this kind of shift happening.
0:18.9	What if right now is the best time in decades to start a company?
0:22.3	In this episode, taken from Speed Run, a three-month accelerator powered by A16Z designed to help
0:27.5	founders move fast, Mark Andreessen joins Games, general partner Jonathan Lye, to make the case that
0:33.0	we're entering a once-in-a-generation window for builders.
0:36.0	From the explosive rise of AI to shifting global policies,
0:38.8	Mark breaks down why the next four years presents a rare and urgent opportunity for founders,
0:43.6	and what separates the entrepreneurs who sees the moment from those who miss it.
0:47.5	Let's get into it.
0:51.9	As a reminder, the content here is for informational purposes only.
0:55.4	Should not be taken as legal business, tax, or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any A16Z fund.
1:06.0	Please note that A16Z and its affiliates may also maintain investments in the companies discussed in this podcast.
1:11.3	For more details, including a link to our investments, please see A16Z and its affiliates may also maintain investments in the companies discussed in this podcast. For more details, including a link to our investments, please see A16.com forward slash disclosures.
1:22.5	How much do you think disagreeability or just the ability to fight and sort of disagree publicly as a necessary
1:28.2	trait for founders, as exemplified by Steve Jobs.
1:31.4	Yeah, so start with Steve, who I knew.
1:33.2	So Steve is one of the most disagreeable people in the history of humankind.
1:37.4	You know, Steve would disagree with you over the shape of the glass on the table in front
1:40.2	of you.
	...

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