Alpha Fellowship 2026: Join a Breakout a16z Startup or Get Up to $250,000 to Build Your Own Company.

Overview

The Alpha Fellowship is an early-career programme for highly technical software engineers who have shown they can build. It offers two paths. On the Startup Track, successful fellows are matched to full-time engineering roles at fast-growing companies in the Andreessen Horowitz ecosystem, with salary and equity. On the Founder Track, aspiring founders receive early capital to build their own company, even if they do not yet have a legal entity, a complete idea or a founding team. Both tracks begin with an in-person fellowship of about eight weeks, including a kickoff retreat, founder discussions and AMAs, small-group dinners, and contact with engineers, founders, operators and investors. Fellows also gain access to the a16z speedrun and EO Ventures communities and events.

Who can apply

Alpha looks for highly technical software engineers, exceptional students and recent graduates, generally within about three years of leaving school, with a track record of building and a wish to move quickly into startups or entrepreneurship. It is focused on software engineering talent and is not a general graduate fellowship.

Startup Track

Fellows receive a full-time engineering job at a portfolio company, with salary and equity, and continue in that job after the fellowship. Candidates and companies rank their preferences and are then matched. A fellow who accepts a match becomes an employee of that company, not of a16z.

Founder Track

Founders apply individually and should name anyone they plan to build with, who must also apply. Accepted founders receive an initial $20,000 grant and begin working full-time on their idea, with up to $250,000 in total investment available. The programme also offers a possible pathway into a16z speedrun, its flagship startup programme.

How to apply

The source text provided does not give a deadline or application steps.