In a bold new play, the sun-kissed venture capital titan, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is all set to take its magic across the Atlantic. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, June 11, a16z confirmed its plans to spread roots internationally, by opening an office in the heart of the old world, London.
a16z isn’t stopping at just setting up an office in the Queen’s backyard. The firm is also curating its next brainchild, the Crypto Startup School accelerator programme, set to launch in the UK in Spring 2024. The programme hopes to coax both local and international entrepreneurs into building web3 startups on the island nation.
The soon-to-be-established London office aims to become a wellspring of talent and support for blockchain development, forging strong ties with universities across the UK. Leading the office will be Sriram Krishnan, a General Partner at a16z.
For the uninitiated, a16z’s crypto wing is no stranger to investing in UK’s burgeoning crypto enterprises, with its portfolio boasting names like Arweave, Aztec, and Improbable. a16z believes that UK’s rich academic scene and entrepreneurial spirit make it an excellent candidate for blockchain exploration and growth.
It’s not all just business though, as a16z continues to foster positive relationships with policymakers, the Financial Conduct Authority, and the Prime Minister’s office, to create a welcoming and predictable environment for blockchain technology. With a record of over 8,000 applicants and 26 success stories from its Crypto Startup School, a16z is poised to kickstart the UK’s journey into becoming the world’s web3 hub.