Try “AI credits”, “AWS Activate”, “incorporate” · Esc to close

a16z speedrun 🚀 Accelerator

$500K for 10% on a SAFE, $500K more in your next round, plus over $10M in partner credits.

Accelerators · $1M investment · speedrun.a16z.com

8.0editor score
Apply on the official site ↗
Investment$1M
Who qualifiesEarly-stage founders from any country who can attend in person in San Francisco. speedrun takes 10% for $500K on a SAFE, with a further $500K in the next round within 18 months.
Open inWorldwide, United States
Partner code neededNo: apply directly
DeadlineSR008 starts late January 2027; deadline not published
Terms last checked2026-10-11

About a16z speedrun

What you get

speedrun is Andreessen Horowitz's 12-week, in-person programme in San Francisco. It invests up to $1,000,000 per company:

  • $500,000 for 10% upfront on a SAFE.
  • A further $500,000 in your next funding round, if it happens within 18 months of the first cheque.

Companies also get partner credits for cloud, AI and software that speedrun values at over $10M, and access to a16z's network.

Who qualifies

Founders from anywhere; speedrun runs a Global Founders Program with help on banking, visas and relocation. You must attend in person in San Francisco, but your company does not have to move there.

Good to know

  • The next cohort, SR008, runs from late January to April 2027. The SR007 deadline (17 May 2026) has passed; later applications are reviewed for the next cohort. No SR008 deadline is published.
  • 10% for $500K is a higher price than YC's 7% for $125K plus MFN; weigh it against the second cheque and credits.
  • The second $500K depends on raising a round within 18 months.

Verdict

A big, clear cheque from a top-tier firm, with a price to match. Strongest for founders who want a16z on the cap table and plan to raise quickly.

accelerator a16z safe san-francisco credits

How to apply

  1. Read the FAQ at speedrun.a16z.com/faq.
  2. Apply via "Apply now" on speedrun.a16z.com.
  3. Applications after a cohort deadline are reviewed for the next cohort (SR008 starts late January 2027).
  4. Plan to attend 12 weeks in person in San Francisco.

Who it is for

Steps a16z speedrun helps with

Pros

  • Up to $1M from a top-tier firm
  • Over $10M in partner credits
  • Open to international founders

Cons

  • 10% for the first $500K
  • Second cheque depends on raising within 18 months

Similar accelerators & incubators

All accelerators →

Y Combinator 🚀 AcceleratorFree

$500K for 7% plus an MFN SAFE, a three-month batch in San Francisco and the best-known demo day.

🎁 $500k · #2.3k web rank · ▲ 22 this week

9.0 Visit ↗

Techstars Accelerator 🚀 AcceleratorFree

$220K (5% plus an uncapped MFN SAFE) for a three-month, mentor-driven programme in cities worldwide.

🎁 $220k · #38k web rank · ▲ 63 this week

8.0 Visit ↗

Entrepreneur First 🚀 AcceleratorFree

Co-founder matching for individuals, an equity-free living grant, then up to $250K (8% SAFE + MFN SAFE).

🎁 $250k · #365k web rank · ▲ 1.4k this week

8.0 Visit ↗

PearX 🚀 AcceleratorFree

Pear VC's 12-week Bay Area programme: $500K to $2M, targeting 7% ownership, applications year-round.

🎁 $2M · #625k web rank

8.0 Visit ↗

Berkeley SkyDeck Accelerator 🚀 AcceleratorFree

Six-month UC Berkeley accelerator: about 20 startups a batch each get $210K from the Berkeley SkyDeck Fund.

🎁 $210k · #621 web rank · ▲ 5 this week

7.5 Visit ↗

Accel Atoms 🚀 AcceleratorFree

Accel's pre-seed programme for Indian and Indian-origin founders: up to $1M (Atoms X) or $2M (Atoms AI).

🎁 $2M · #124k web rank · ▲ 721 this week

7.5 Visit ↗

Popular searches