Ben Horowitz

Las Vegas Sheriff tells a16z partners what’s next on his wish list: AI for bodycams

Venture /

Las Vegas police have received funding for tech like drones, license plate readers, and more from Andreessen Horowitz partner Ben Horowitz. Next on its wish list? Artificial intelligence to go through police footage. The city’s Sheriff Kevin McMahill said on a podcast with Horowitz and partner Marc Andreessen that he wants to use AI to […]

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Drone manufacturer Skydio raises $170 million extension round 

Robotics /

American drone manufacturer Skydio has raised an extension round of $170 million, adding onto the $230 million Series E it closed early last year. The new tranche of funding brings in strategic investors like Japanese telecom operator KDDI and Axon, the creator of the taser and other police tech. It also includes previous investors, like

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Ben Horowitz’s tight ties with the Las Vegas Police Department — and why it matters

Fintech /

Over the last few years, Andreessen Horowitz co-founder and famed VC Ben Horowitz has donated at least $7.6 million to fund purchases by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, including new drones from a16z-backed Skydio. Skydio is not the first of a16z’s portfolio companies to benefit from these donations, either. Today, on TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, hosts

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‘Whatever you want Ben’: Inside Ben Horowitz’s cozy relationship with the Las Vegas Police Department

Venture /

When Skydio, a young maker of drones in San Mateo, California, sent a customer proposal in 2023 to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, its chief of staff, Mike Gennaro, forwarded the email to VC Ben Horowitz. “Which deployment are you looking to do?” Horowitz wrote back. “Whatever you want, Ben,” Gennaro replied, according to

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Ben Horowitz’s cozy relationship with the Las Vegas Police Department aided a16z portfolio company Skydio

Startups /

When Skydio, a young maker of drones in San Mateo, California, sent a customer proposal in 2023 to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, its chief of staff, Mike Gennaro, forwarded the email to VC Ben Horowitz. “Which deployment are you looking to do?” Horowitz wrote back. “Whatever you want, Ben,” Gennaro replied, according to

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A16z offers social media tips after its founder’s ‘attack’ tweet goes viral

Venture /

On Friday, the venture firm Andreessen Horowitz tweeted out a link to its guide on how to “build your social media presence,” which features advice for founders on things like “how to find your people” and “how often to post.” The timing of the tweet was ironic given the social media frenzy on Friday after

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Some Black startup founders feel betrayed by Ben Horowitz’s support for Trump

Government & Policy /

Some of the richest, most influential investors in Silicon Valley are publicly supporting Donald Trump’s campaign. They run powerful firms that every founder wants as backers. But because of their financial support for Trump, some Black founders are rethinking if they should have them on their cap table, according to seven Black founders and investors

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