Quit your megacorp job.
Build something new instead.

The Alpha Fellowship is a partnership with Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) that places top early-career engineers into full-time roles at fast-growing EO and a16z portfolio companies.

For future founders, we provide capital before a team or idea even exists.

APPLICATION DEADLINE MARCH 6th 2026
What's Alpha?
What's Alpha?

We're looking for highly technical students and recent grads who don't want to wait to start building. Fellows take full-time roles at fast-growing portfolio companies - or, if you're ready to build now, receive capital to start your own company - kicking off with a two-month in-person fellowship. 

Fellows also have access to the a16z speedrun and EO Ventures communities and events.

The Tracks
The Tracks
The Tracks

Open Now

Join a Startup

Learn inside the fire. Take a role at a breakout a16z or EO portfolio company that’s already taking off. The fellowship layer runs for two months, and the role continues after.

Learn inside the fire. Take a role at a breakout a16z or EO portfolio company that’s already taking off. The fellowship layer runs for two months, and the role continues after.

● Work at a fast-growing a16z or EO portfolio company

● Full-time engineering role with salary and equity

● Two-month fellowship programming overlay

● Work at a fast-growing a16z or EO portfolio company

● Full-time engineering role with salary and equity

● Two-month fellowship programming overlay

OPEN NOW

Found a Startup


Stop dreaming and start building. We back you pre-entity, pre-idea, pre-team. Apply as an individual and start building from zero.


● $20K grant, equity-free upfront to start building
● Up to $250K investment
● Automatic final interview for speedrun, up to $1M investment
● 8-week, in-person experience with a kickoff retreat, founder AMAs, and small-group dinners


Stop dreaming and start building. We back you pre-entity, pre-idea, pre-team. Apply as an individual and start building from zero.


● $20K grant, equity-free upfront to start building
● Up to $250K investment
● Automatic final interview for speedrun, up to $1M investment
● 8-week, in-person experience with a kickoff retreat, founder AMAs, and small-group dinners

THE FELLOWSHIP
THE FELLOWSHIP

Fellows participate in a two-month, in-person fellowship, including curated dinners with engineering leaders, portfolio founders, and investors.

Upcoming Speakers and Mentors
Upcoming Speakers and Mentors
Upcoming Speakers and Mentors

Marc Andreessen

Cofounder & General Partner, a16z

Andrew Chen

General Partner, a16z

Roland Fryer

Founding Partner, EO Ventures

Michael Lingelbach

Founder & CEO, Hedra


Marc Andreessen

Cofounder & General Partner, a16z

Andrew Chen

General Partner, a16z


Roland Fryer

Founding Partner, EO Ventures

Michael Lingelbach

Founder & CEO, Hedra


Marc Andreessen

Cofounder & General Partner, a16z

Andrew Chen

General Partner, a16z


Roland Fryer

Founding Partner, EO Ventures

Michael Lingelbach

Founder & CEO, Hedra


Join Companies Like
Join Companies Like
Join Companies Like
The Timeline
The Timeline
The Timeline
01

Apply online by March 6th

Online applications are now open. You’ll share your technical background and experience shipping real work. Applications close March 6, 2026, and are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applying earlier increases your chances of being matched with your preferred company.

02

Interview & assessment

Selected applicants complete a technical assessment and live interviews.

03

Begin full-time

If joining a company, candidates and companies rank preferences and matches are made based on mutual fit. Fellows are hired directly by their matched company.


If founding a company, accepted founders receive their initial $20k grant and begin working full-time on their idea, with up to $250k in total investment available.

04

The on-ramp

In early June, the fellowship begins with an immersive retreat where fellows meet one another and spend time with the EO + the speedrun team.

05

Fellowship programming

From early June through mid-August, fellows participate in weekly, small-group conversations with engineers, operators, and investors shaping the next wave of AI, alongside their day-to-day work.

06

Completion

The fellowship concludes in mid-August with a capstone event, where fellows present to the EO + speedrun team and broader community. Fellows continue in their full-time roles at their companies after the fellowship ends.

FAQ
FAQ
FAQ

Who’s behind Alpha?

Who's this for?

Do I need to have US work authorization?

I'm a student in college - can I apply?

Am I going to be working for a16z?

Who’s behind Alpha?

Who's this for?

Do I need to have US work authorization?

I'm a student in college - can I apply?

Am I going to be working for a16z?

Who’s behind Alpha?

Who's this for?

Do I need to have US work authorization?

I'm a student in college - can I apply?

Am I going to be working for a16z?