After 5 Years, Andreessen Horowitz Pauses Talent x Opportunity Program For Underserved Founders
Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has put its Talent x Opportunity (TxO) program on hold, marking an unexpected shift in the firm’s efforts to support founders from underserved communities, TechCrunch reports.
Launched in 2020, as AFROTECH™ previously reported, the program aimed to bridge gaps in venture capital access for entrepreneurs, particularly women and minority founders, by offering mentorship, funding, and industry connections.
The a16z TxO fund pause comes after five years of operations, during which the program supported more than 60 companies, per TechCrunch, including Brown Girl Magazine, food tech startup Myles Comfort Foods, and maternity tech company Villie. Participants benefitted from a 16-week training program, access to a professional network, and $175,000 in investments via a donor-advised fund managed by the nonprofit Tides Foundation. In 2024, TxO expanded to include grants of $50,000 each for three nonprofits focused on tech entrepreneurship in underserved communities.
According to TechCrunch, Kofi Ampadu, the a16z partner who led TxO, informed participants of the program’s pause in an Oct. 16 email. The message explained that the pause was intended to refine the program’s approach and integrate lessons into a16z’s broader early-stage investing strategy. Ampadu highlighted that nearly 100 founders who participated in TxO went on to secure follow-on funding and expand into new markets.
The a16z TxO fund pause also affected staff. Sources confirmed that several employees, excluding Ampadu, were laid off at the end of October.
The last TxO cohort was announced in early March 2025, according to its website. In the email shared with participants announcing the program’s pause, Ampadu shared that program alumni are part of a peer network to mentor future participants. This structured support of mentorship, funding, and networking has been a hallmark of the program, helping early-stage founders navigate the complexities of building a startup.
While the a16z TxO fund pause puts Talent x Opportunity on hold, Andreessen Horowitz continues to offer programs for early-stage founders, such as the Speedrun initiative, which provides cohort graduates with up to $1 million in investment. The firm has not yet disclosed whether TxO will resume in its previous format or evolve into a new structure.
For now, founders and staff who have been part of the program are left awaiting updates, as the a16z TxO fund pause raises questions about the future of targeted support for underrepresented communities in venture capital.
