Alastair (Alex) Rampell
General Partner
Andreessen Horowitz
a16z GP leading Apps, with fintech and marketplace investments and multiple founder exits.
Bio
Professional summary
Andrew Chen is a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz focused on tech, entertainment, and AI through a16z Speedrun. His official profile highlights his long-running writing on startups and user growth, as well as his book The Cold Start Problem. Public biography material adds that he previously led growth at Uber during its pre-IPO hypergrowth period. His strongest verified fit is for founders building products where growth loops, network effects, entertainment dynamics, or AI-native user experiences matter.
Investment focus
Stage, sector, and overall fit
Stage
Early-stage startups via a16z SpeedrunBrand-new startups
Sector
TechnologyEntertainmentAIConsumer growth and network effects
Thesis
Tech, entertainment, and AIa16z Speedrun startupsStartups with growth loops and network effects
Notable companies
Selected portfolio companies the partner has backed
Uber
How to approach
Framing and angles for outreach
Pitch framing
Lead with the product's growth loop, network effect, retention mechanic, or AI-native entertainment/user-experience wedge.
Personalization hooks
- 1Reference user growth, cold-start dynamics, or network effects if they are core to the product.
- 2For gaming, entertainment, or AI products, emphasize creator/user adoption and repeat engagement.
Recent signals
What the partner has said or done recently
Official a16z profile identifies a16z Speedrun as his current focus area.
Background
Career, education, and skills
Career history
- Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)General Partner (Speedrun Investing Team)Present
- UberHead of Rider GrowthPrior to a16z
- Various venture-backed startupsOperator / EntrepreneurPrior
Education
- University of WashingtonB.S., Applied Mathematics
Skills
Consumer investingGrowth strategyNetwork effectsContent & mediaAI applications
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