Your Last Chance to Apply for a16z Speedrun 008—Here's What You Need to Know

Did my application actually go through?

This question tops the list of concerns from applicants. Upon submission, you'll receive a confirmation email and can track your application status using the pizza tracker at any time. Allow up to 24 hours for your entry to appear in the system, or verify manually through the provided link.

Receiving one of the "your app is almost done" reminder messages after a confirmation doesn't mean there's a problem. As long as your application shows up in the pizza tracker, you're already in the system.

Am I eligible?

Most founders wondering about eligibility fall into a few categories. Here's what matters:

• Age—You must be 18 or older. The residency welcomes founders across all age groups. Recent graduates might also want to explore the Alpha Fellowship.
• International applicants—Speedrun has accepted founders from more than 20 countries. If selected, the Build in America program provides immigration support, banking assistance, housing help, and access to a network of founders who've made the same transition.
• Industry focus—As an inception fund, a16z invests across sectors at the seed and pre-seed stage.
• Company stage—The program targets very early ventures: ideas, prototypes, or early products with an active team. Prior fundraising doesn't disqualify you. While a16z aims to be your first institutional check, they also consider early-stage companies that have already raised capital.
• Founder composition—Solo founders can apply. However, teams with multiple founders bringing different strengths tend to be preferred. A well-assembled co-founder team strengthens your candidacy. You don't need to be incorporated yet; a16z can help with company formation if you're selected.
• Prior program participation—Having completed other startup accelerators or programs won't hurt your chances.

Uncertain about your fit? Submit anyway. The application moves quickly, and a16z would rather meet you sooner.

When will I hear back?

Applicants who submit during the priority window typically receive a response within several weeks. If your application stands out, a16z will request a video or schedule an interview with one of their investing partners. Promising candidates move through the process rapidly, progressing from reference checks and follow-up conversations to an offer.

A word of caution: waiting until the final hours to submit will likely delay your response. Submitting early gives you a better chance of faster feedback.

Should I upload a video?

A new feature this round allows optional video uploads directly within the application. Including one almost always strengthens your submission. Polished production quality isn't the focus; instead, a16z wants to see who you are and what you're building.

What should go in my deck?

Highlight what sets you apart. a16z seeks founders with proprietary insights—knowledge about your market that competitors haven't grasped. Demonstrate your ability to execute and ship. Customer traction carries significant weight.

Include visual elements that can't be adequately represented in standard form fields: traction graphs, product screenshots, competitive positioning, and market analysis. Every deck needs a team slide. At the pre-seed and seed stages, the founding team remains the primary investment thesis.

I was rejected before. Can I apply again?

Absolutely. Speedrun maintains extremely rigorous selection criteria. Recent cohorts have included 70 to 80 companies, with acceptance rates below 0.4%, meaning many exceptional founders don't get selected. Several founders now backed by a16z applied multiple times before acceptance. The program cannot re-review the same team within a single application cycle, and the volume of submissions prevents individual rejection feedback. a16z has published guidance on what investors prioritize, which may help with a future application.

If you've made meaningful progress since your last attempt, a16z wants to see it.

The techy stuff

Not receiving your login credentials or verification code? This typically stems from a brief system lag, often worse near deadlines due to traffic spikes. Wait 24 hours, check your spam folder, and review your status page. If problems persist, contact sr-team@a16z.com.

Need to revise your submission after it's been sent? Email significant traction updates, an updated pitch deck, or a product demo to sr-team@a16z.com. If you submitted with an incorrect email address, you'll need to submit a fresh application with the correct one and notify sr-team@a16z.com so they review the right version.

Final reminder

The SR008 application deadline is Sunday, November 1st at 11:59pm Pacific. Avoid submitting in the final 30 seconds. a16z looks forward to reviewing your application. You can submit on the speedrun website.