# Emily Bennett

> Emily Bennett is an Investment Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, where she leads investing for a16z speedrun - the firm's high-velocity startup accelerator that has deployed over $180M to 150+ startups since 2023. A neuroscience graduate of Middlebury College (magna cum laude) turned Harvard MBA, she carved a winding path through product roles at Spotify, The New York Times, and Facebook before pivoting fully into venture at Owl Ventures, where she rose to Partner with a focus on edtech. At a16z, her investment thesis centers on AI-native tools that allow single founders to operate what once required entire teams, and she is a vocal advocate for the first AI-native university - an institution where learning paths, schedules, and research adapt in real time through continuous data feedback loops.

- **Role:** Investment Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z speedrun)
- **Organizations:** Andreessen Horowitz, a16z speedrun, Owl Ventures, Fizz (board), Sizzle AI (board), Retro Report (board), Genially (board observer), Thrive Global (board observer), Honorlock (board observer), The uLesson Group (board observer), Subject (board observer), SV Academy (board observer)
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience (magna cum laude), Middlebury College, MBA, Harvard Business School
- **Known for:** Investment Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, one of Silicon Valley's most prestigious venture firms, Key partner at a16z speedrun, which has deployed $180M+ to 150+ startups since 2023, Promoted to Partner at Owl Ventures, a leading edtech-focused VC firm

## Career timeline

- **~2017** — Joined Spotify as Product Marketing Manager for Spotify for Artists
- **~2018** — Joined The New York Times as Product Manager for Video, driving strategy for immersive streaming experiences
- **~2019** — Joined Facebook as Product Marketing Manager for News, working on misinformation-curbing products and initiatives
- **2019** — Enrolled at Harvard Business School MBA program
- **2021** — Graduated Harvard Business School; joined Owl Ventures as Principal, focusing on edtech investments
- **2023** — Promoted to Partner at Owl Ventures; joined a16z speedrun as Investment Partner
- **2024** — Continued leading a16z speedrun investments; contributed to Big Ideas 2026 with AI-native university thesis
- **2026** — Serving as Investment Partner at a16z speedrun, which has deployed $180M+ to 150+ startups

## Achievements

- Investment Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, one of Silicon Valley's most prestigious venture firms
- Key partner at a16z speedrun, which has deployed $180M+ to 150+ startups since 2023
- Promoted to Partner at Owl Ventures, a leading edtech-focused VC firm
- Board member at Fizz, Sizzle AI, and Retro Report
- Board observer at six companies including Thrive Global, Honorlock, and Genially
- Co-authored a16z 'Big Ideas 2026' with her AI-native university thesis
- Graduated magna cum laude from Middlebury College in Neuroscience
- Harvard Business School MBA alumni
- Built product at Spotify, The New York Times, and Facebook/Meta before transitioning to VC

## Latest updates

- **2026-02** — a16z speedrun reaches $180M+ deployed to 150+ startups since 2023 launch
- **2026-01** — Co-authored 'Big Ideas 2026' for a16z speedrun, contributing the AI-native university concept
- **2025-09** — Continued as Investment Partner at a16z speedrun, evaluating global founders from 40+ countries
- **2024-05** — Featured on 'On the Subject' podcast discussing her path in edtech investment and innovation

## Links

- Website: https://a16z.com/author/emily-bennett/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilybennett1/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/emilybenn12
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhWQIiUiGc4
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/andreessenhorowitz

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/emily-bennett
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-09