Andreessen Horowitz Plans $10B Raise for AI and Defense Tech Funds

Andreessen Horowitz plans to raise $10 billion for new funds: $6 billion for growth-stage startups, $3 billion for AI, and $1 billion for U.S. defense tech, emphasizing national security and innovation amid a rebounding market. This move builds on past successes and involves lobbying for favorable policies. Critics question its risk-taking approach.
Andreessen Horowitz Plans $10B Raise for AI and Defense Tech Funds
Written by Ava Callegari

Silicon Valley venture capital powerhouse Andreessen Horowitz is gearing up for a major fundraising push, aiming to secure $10 billion across several new funds that underscore its aggressive bet on emerging technologies and national security innovations. Sources familiar with the matter indicate the firm is targeting $6 billion for a growth-stage fund focused on scaling promising startups, $3 billion dedicated to artificial intelligence investments, and $1 billion earmarked for defense technology ventures in the U.S. This move comes as the firm navigates a rebounding tech investment environment, building on its history of blockbuster funds that have backed companies like Airbnb and Coinbase.

The fundraising effort reflects Andreessen Horowitz’s strategic pivot toward sectors seen as critical to American competitiveness, particularly amid geopolitical tensions and rapid AI advancements. Insiders note that the defense tech allocation aligns with the firm’s “American Dynamism” initiative, which emphasizes investments in areas like aerospace, manufacturing, and national security—fields that have gained traction since the firm raised $600 million for a similar fund in 2024, as detailed in a Bloomberg report.

Shifting Focus to AI and Defense Amid Market Rebound

This latest fundraising target follows a period of robust performance for Andreessen Horowitz, which has returned at least $25 billion net to its backers since its founding in 2009, according to data from Newcomer. The firm’s crypto investments, for instance, benefited from a 300% rally in Solana, boosting returns as highlighted in a September 2025 article by The Information. Now, with AI dominating investor interest, the $3 billion AI fund is positioned to capitalize on global demand for U.S.-based innovations, echoing an earlier $20 billion megafund effort reported by Reuters in April 2025.

Industry observers point out that Andreessen Horowitz’s approach differs from traditional venture capital by blending high-stakes bets with political advocacy. The firm spent $1.49 million on federal lobbying in 2025, outpacing rivals in pushing for favorable AI and defense regulations, per The American Bazaar. This lobbying surge culminated in joining a $100 million network to shape AI policy under the Trump administration, as covered by Bloomberg in August 2025.

Implications for Venture Capital Dynamics

The $10 billion target, first reported by The Information and corroborated by Financial Times just hours ago, could set a new benchmark for fund sizes in a post-downturn era. Andreessen Horowitz’s general partners, including recent addition Raghu Raghuram from VMware, are leveraging their expertise to attract limited partners eager for exposure to high-growth areas. Wikipedia’s entry on the firm notes its asset management has swelled to over $46 billion in committed capital across various funds, underscoring its evolution from a $300 million debut in 2009.

Critics, however, argue this megafund strategy represents “consensus capital” rather than pure venture risk-taking, as critiqued in a Fast Company piece from September 2025. Smaller funds might find opportunities in niches overlooked by such giants, potentially fragmenting the market further. Still, with crypto entering a “new era” of utility as per Andreessen Horowitz’s own 2025 report cited in BizToc, the firm’s diversified approach could yield substantial returns.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

As Andreessen Horowitz prepares to close these funds, possibly by early 2026, challenges loom including regulatory scrutiny on AI and foreign investment restrictions. The firm’s involvement in a $100 million Substack funding round in July 2025, reported by The Hollywood Reporter, shows its broadening portfolio beyond tech core. Meanwhile, plans for a private equity fund of funds in 2026, as per LP Allocator, signal even wider ambitions.

For industry insiders, this fundraising signals confidence in tech’s resilience, but it also raises questions about capital concentration. If successful, the $10 billion haul could empower Andreessen Horowitz to dominate key sectors, influencing everything from AI ethics to defense innovation in the years ahead.

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