Andreessen Horowitz is shifting its focus toward international founders in the AI space, with 44% of investments in its Apps Fund One and Two coming from non-US entrepreneurs. Partners Gabriel Vasquez and Angela Strange lead the firm’s Borderless Founder network, which supports immigrant and international founders. They argue that foreign entrepreneurs now have an edge over their American counterparts, thanks to AI-driven demand from global enterprises. "There is now an advantage to having one foot in your home country, and one foot in Silicon Valley," they wrote.

Vasquez noted that enterprise buyers outside the US were previously slow to adopt, but AI has changed that. Startups can now secure major clients worldwide, even in less developed markets. In Europe, companies are increasingly paying for AI solutions rather than just engaging through accelerators.

Vasquez attributes this shift to AI compelling legacy players to buy third-party tools to stay competitive. He also highlighted that recruiting in Silicon Valley is challenging due to competition from well-funded firms like OpenAI and Anthropic, making international talent pools more attractive. The firm has spent over one million air miles pursuing global dealflow, with Vasquez often visiting talent hubs like Stockholm.

Poland’s investment in a16z portfolio company Eleven Labs exemplifies this trend. As headquarters become more fluid, local founders are better positioned to serve regional markets while maintaining ties to Silicon Valley.