a16z Launches Growth Engineer Program

Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has introduced the a16z Growth Engineer Fellowship, an intensive 8-week program designed for growth engineers, AI-native go-to-market leaders, and what they term 'agent builders' focused on scaling companies. This initiative, detailed on the a16z Blog, draws inspiration from their New Media Fellowship, aiming to translate compelling narratives into tangible business outcomes.

The program acknowledges the increasingly complex and competitive landscape of company growth, where traditional channels are saturated and rapid adaptation is key. It highlights the shift towards hyper-personalization at scale, enabled by AI, allowing for tailored customer experiences across various touchpoints.

The New Growth Playbook

Modern growth leaders are expected to possess a deep understanding of business dynamics, capable of quickly deploying AI agents and custom workflows to achieve specific results. This evolving role often blurs the lines between traditional marketing, product management, and engineering, making AI-native, curious, and results-driven individuals highly sought after.

The fellowship is positioned as a space for these leaders to exchange strategies, refine ideas, and identify emerging opportunities ahead of the curve.

Participants will gain access to the a16z ecosystem, but the core value is expected to come from peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.

The program will feature a dinner series in San Francisco, with potential expansion to other cities based on demand, alongside demos and live working sessions.

Who Should Apply

a16z is looking for individuals who are hands-on, comfortable with technical tools, and inclined to build growth systems themselves. A strong emphasis is placed on an AI-first mindset and pushing the boundaries of operational efficiency.

The ideal candidate can identify critical growth levers and construct the necessary systems, whether through AI agents or other tools.

While specific titles like GTM engineer, SWE, or PM with a growth focus are welcomed, the fellowship prioritizes mindset and approach over formal designations.

Notable figures already associated with the program include Bryan Kim (a16z), Luc Levesque (formerly Shopify), Marty Imber (Starlink), and Lauryn Motamedi (Notion), among others.

The fellowship begins in May 2026, with flexible time commitments and an opt-in structure.

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis, with a deadline of April 20th for initial consideration.