Alpha Fellowship: Join a Breakout a16z Startup or Get Up to $250,000 to Build Your Own Company

Overview

The Alpha Fellowship is an intensive early-career programme tailored for exceptional software engineers who want to accelerate their trajectory in the startup ecosystem. The initiative features two distinct pathways: the Startup Track, which places fellows into full-time engineering roles within the Andreessen Horowitz portfolio, and the Founder Track, which supports aspiring entrepreneurs with capital to begin building their own companies.

Eligibility

Exclusively focused on software engineering talent.
Open to highly technical students and recent graduates within approximately three years of leaving school.
Applicants must possess a demonstrated track record of building software projects, applications, or technical experiments.
Must hold valid authorization to work full-time in the United States.
Must be able to participate fully in an in-person programme format.

Benefits

Startup Track: Full-time engineering placement with salary and equity at a fast-growing portfolio company.
Founder Track: An initial $20,000 grant with access to up to $250,000 in total investment, even without a pre-existing legal entity, team, or finalized idea.
a16z Speedrun Pathway: Priority consideration and automatic final interviews for successful fellows, offering potential access to up to $1 million in additional investment.
Immersive Experience: An eight-week in-person fellowship featuring kickoff retreats, small-group dinners, founder AMAs, and networking opportunities with tech leaders and investors.

How to Apply

Candidates must submit their applications individually through the official portal. Those applying to the Founder Track who intend to build with a partner must each submit separate applications and note their intended collaborators. Because applications are evaluated on a rolling priority basis with Cohort 2 opening in September 2026, prospective applicants are encouraged to prepare their materials and apply early.

Deadline

Applications for Cohort 2 open in September 2026 on a rolling priority basis without a specific final closing date stated.

Overview

Eligibility

Exclusively focused on software engineering talent.

Open to highly technical students and recent graduates within approximately three years of leaving school.

Applicants must possess a demonstrated track record of building software projects, applications, or technical experiments.

Must hold valid authorization to work full-time in the United States.

Must be able to participate fully in an in-person programme format.

Benefits

Startup Track: Full-time engineering placement with salary and equity at a fast-growing portfolio company.

Founder Track: An initial $20,000 grant with access to up to $250,000 in total investment, even without a pre-existing legal entity, team, or finalized idea.

a16z Speedrun Pathway: Priority consideration and automatic final interviews for successful fellows, offering potential access to up to $1 million in additional investment.

Immersive Experience: An eight-week in-person fellowship featuring kickoff retreats, small-group dinners, founder AMAs, and networking opportunities with tech leaders and investors.

How to Apply