Andreessen Horowitz intensifies its policy push in Washington with an ambitious focus on defense, AI, and digital assets — outspending even the National Venture Capital Association
a16z’s Washington Strategy Picks Up Speed
Venture capital powerhouse Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has spent $1.49 million on federal lobbying in 2025 so far, according to public filings — a sign that the firm is doubling down on political influence as it expands into regulated sectors like defense and AI.
- That figure puts a16z just ahead of the National Venture Capital Association’s $1.40 million in lobbying spend and far above rival VC firms like Sequoia Capital ($120K) and General Catalyst ($500K).
- a16z spent $1.8 million in 2024 and $950K in 2023, showing a year-over-year acceleration in its policy outreach.
From Crypto to National Security
While a16z has long advocated for pro-crypto regulation, recent disclosures show the firm is taking on broader policy priorities, including:
- Stablecoins and digital asset frameworks
- Artificial Intelligence regulation and innovation policy
- The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
- National security and industrial base initiatives
In fact, defense-related lobbying appeared for the first time in Q3 2023, and filings from 2024 onward list the National Security Council among the agencies the firm has lobbied.
“We’re one-issue voters,” wrote Ben Horowitz, referencing a16z’s mission. “If a candidate supports an optimistic technology-enabled future, we are for them.”
The “American Dynamism” Doctrine
The firm’s growing presence in Washington aligns with its American Dynamism investment thesis, which backs startups working in defense, manufacturing, infrastructure, and cyber.
- a16z recently hired Anne Neuberger, former Deputy National Security Advisor, as a senior advisor focused on AI and national security.
- The firm’s policy team is notably bipartisan, bringing in veterans from both Democratic and Republican administrations to craft policy narratives around the strategic importance of tech innovation.
A Lobbying Outlier in the VC World
Compared to its peers, a16z’s federal engagement is an exception, not the rule:
| Firm | 2025 Lobbying Spend (YTD) |
|---|---|
| a16z | $1.49M |
| NVCA | $1.40M |
| General Catalyst | $500K |
| Sequoia Capital | $120K |
| Founders Fund | ~$0 (reported) |
Yet lobbying dollars don’t guarantee influence. Founders Fund, for instance, maintains minimal public lobbying activity but has deep access within the Pentagon and executive branch.
- Partner Trae Stephens played a leading role in the DOD’s 2016 transition.
- Michael Kratsios, formerly of Thiel Capital, has served as Acting Under Secretary of Defense and now advises the President on science and tech.
Beyond Lobbying: Political Money in PACs
In addition to registered lobbying, a16z is also supporting political action networks. It’s one of the backers of “Leading the Future,” a new pro-AI PAC network revealed by The Wall Street Journal, which aims to shape AI regulation and back tech-friendly candidates.
These efforts signal a16z’s multi-pronged strategy: formal lobbying, elite recruitment, and PAC influence — all aimed at reshaping U.S. tech policy around innovation and economic competitiveness.
