Andreessen Horowitz Launches $1.1 Billion Fund Focused on AI Hardware Infrastructure
Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has launched a new $1.1 billion fund called the Machine Age Fund, focusing on hardware infrastructure for artificial intelligence. The fund will invest in components such as chips, memory, networking, and storage, along with full systems like data centers, robotics, and home AI appliances. General partners Martin Casado and Raghu Raghuram are leading this initiative, which targets both early- and growth-stage companies. This move reflects a16z's growing interest in hardware investments, particularly within the defense sector where it has made several strategic bets on AI infrastructure startups like Skydio, Shield AI, and Anduril. The firm is also backing new ventures such as Nexthop AI and Mind Robotics with significant capital infusions. The shift toward hardware reflects broader investor sentiment driven by advancements in physical AI capabilities and a desire to hedge against risks posed by rapidly evolving software-based AI models.
