a16z - Tech News from Simmons Systems

Tech News from Simmons Systems

a16z

A collection of 31 posts

DOJ Antitrust Probe of Andreessen Horowitz Puts VC Board Conflicts Under Scrutiny

Andreessen Horowitz faces a Department of Justice investigation over board arrangements that place two of its partners on the boards of competing companies. Ben Horowitz sits on the board of Databricks while Martin Casado holds a seat at Fivetran, and the DOJ has reportedly been examining the setup for nearly

ElevenLabs Secures $180 Million to Establish AI Voice as Digital Standard

ElevenLabs raises a massive $180 million Series C round, reaching a $3.3 billion valuation to expand its AI audio research and global business tools. The company currently powers voice generation for millions of users and over 60 percent of Fortune 500 companies.

unconventional ai

Unconventional AI Raises $475M Seed to Build Biology-Efficient Computers

Former Databricks AI head Naveen Rao secures $475 million in seed funding for Unconventional AI, a startup developing energy-efficient AI computers. The round is led by Andreessen Horowitz and Lightspeed Ventures at a $4.5 billion valuation.

ElevenLabs Reaches $3.3 Billion Valuation After $180M Series C

AI audio startup ElevenLabs secures $180 million in a Series C round led by a16z and ICONIQ Growth, pushing its valuation to $3.3 billion. The company plans to use the funds to develop more expressive audio models and expand its business operations.

venture capital

Venture Capitalists Break Tradition With Unprecedented Wave of Firm Switches

The venture capital world experiences a surprising surge in partner-level job changes throughout 2024, defying the industry's usual stability.

sriram krishnan

Trump Taps Former a16z Partner Sriram Krishnan as Senior AI Policy Advisor

President-elect Donald Trump names Sriram Krishnan as senior policy advisor for AI within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Krishnan partners closely with newly appointed AI czar David Sacks to coordinate artificial intelligence strategy across the government.

Investors Rethink 'Climate Tech' Label as Industry Seeks New Identity

The term "climate tech" faces an uncertain future as industry players search for a new name to describe the broadening sector. Political shifts and scope creep drive the push for alternative terminology.

Former Twitch CEO Shear Launches Stealth AI Startup Backed by a16z

Ex-Twitch CEO Emmett Shear is building a stealth AI company called Stem AI, which focuses on aligning artificial intelligence with human behavior and ethics. The new venture secures early backing from prominent venture firm Andreessen Horowitz.

Las Vegas Sheriff Seeks AI Tools for Body Camera Footage With a16z Backing

Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill reveals plans to use AI for blurring faces in body camera footage and analyzing cell tower data. The deepening financial relationship with Andreessen Horowitz continues to raise concerns among police accountability experts.

a16z Partner Warns Lawmakers Target Sci-Fi AI Risks Over Real Threats

Andreessen Horowitz general partner Martin Casado argues that current AI regulations focus on imaginary future scenarios rather than the technology's actual, tangible risks. He praises the veto of California's SB 1047 but warns that similar misguided bills could still emerge.

Tech Investor Donates Millions to Las Vegas Police to Fund Portfolio Company Drones

Venture capitalist Ben Horowitz secretly donates millions to the Las Vegas police to purchase drones from his portfolio company Skydio, bypassing standard public procurement processes.

Series AI Raises $28 Million to Build Generative AI Game Engine

Series Entertainment secures $28 million in a Series A round backed by Netflix and a16z to fund its AI-native Rho Engine. The startup aims to reinvent game development by replacing traditional design tasks with advanced generative AI tools.

Adam Neumann's Flow Launches Luxury Co-Living Compound in Riyadh

Flow, the co-living startup founded by former WeWork CEO Adam Neumann, opens a 238-unit furnished apartment complex in Saudi Arabia with rents starting at $3,500 a month. The property features hotel-style services and unique amenities as the company expands its global footprint.