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| nationality  = American
| nationality  = American
| education    = [[University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign]] (BS)
| education    = [[University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign]] (BS)
| occupation  = Venture capitalist, businessman, software engineer
| occupation  = Venture capitalist, businessman, former software engineer
| known_for    = Co-creator of [[Mosaic (web browser)|Mosaic]], co-founder of [[Netscape]], co-founder of [[Andreessen Horowitz]]
| known_for    = Co-creator of [[Mosaic (web browser)|Mosaic]], co-founder of [[Netscape]], co-founder of [[Andreessen Horowitz]]
| awards      = [[Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering]]
| awards      = [[Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering]]
| website      =
}}
}}


'''Marc Lowell Andreessen''' (born July 9, 1971) is an American businessman, [[venture capitalist]], and former [[software engineer]] who played a formative role in the development of the [[World Wide Web]]. As the co-author of [[Mosaic (web browser)|Mosaic]], the first widely used web browser capable of displaying inline images alongside text, Andreessen helped transform the internet from an academic tool into a mass medium.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marc Andreessen {{!}} Biography & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marc-Andreessen |publisher=Britannica |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He subsequently co-founded [[Netscape Communications Corporation]], whose Netscape Navigator browser became the dominant gateway to the web in the mid-1990s and whose initial public offering in August 1995 is often cited as the event that ignited the [[dot-com boom]]. Andreessen appeared on the cover of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine in February 1996, symbolizing the ascent of a new generation of technology entrepreneurs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Time Magazine Cover: Marc Andreessen |url=http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,1101960219,00.html |publisher=Time Inc. |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
'''Marc Lowell Andreessen''' (born July 9, 1971) is an American businessman, venture capitalist, and former software engineer who played a pivotal role in the early development of the [[World Wide Web]]. As the co-author of [[Mosaic (web browser)|Mosaic]], the first widely used web browser capable of displaying inline images alongside text, Andreessen helped transform the internet from a text-based academic tool into a visual, accessible medium that would reshape global commerce and communication.<ref name="britannica">{{cite web |title=Marc Andreessen {{!}} Biography & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marc-Andreessen |publisher=Britannica |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He subsequently co-founded [[Netscape Communications Corporation]], whose Netscape Navigator browser became the dominant gateway to the web in the mid-1990s and whose initial public offering in 1995 is widely credited with igniting the [[dot-com bubble]]. After Netscape's acquisition by [[AOL]], Andreessen co-founded the enterprise software company [[Loudcloud]], later renamed [[Opsware]], which was sold to [[Hewlett-Packard]] in 2007. He also co-founded the social networking platform [[Ning]]. In 2009, Andreessen and longtime business partner [[Ben Horowitz]] established the venture capital firm [[Andreessen Horowitz]] (also known as "a16z"), which has grown into one of the most prominent investment firms in Silicon Valley.<ref name="bweek_profile">{{cite web |title=Marc Andreessen Profile |url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=97899&privcapId=35135559&previousCapId=108856&previousTitle=Hewlett-Packard%20Co |publisher=Bloomberg Businessweek |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Andreessen has served on the boards of several major technology companies, including [[Facebook]].<ref name="facebook_board">{{cite web |title=Marc Andreessen Joins Facebook Board |url=http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/6/marc-andreessen-joins-facebook-board |publisher=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> A prolific commentator on technology and its economic implications, he authored the influential 2011 essay "Why Software Is Eating the World," which argued that software companies were poised to disrupt and dominate large sectors of the global economy.<ref name="fortune_software">{{cite news |title=Marc Andreessen made a dire software prediction 15 years ago. Now it's happening in a way nobody imagined |url=https://fortune.com/2026/02/13/marc-andreessen-software-eating-the-world-saaspocalypse-morgan-stanley-gut-check-displaced-labor/ |work=Fortune |date=2026-02-13 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
After Netscape's acquisition by [[AOL]], Andreessen co-founded several additional technology companies, including [[Loudcloud]] (later renamed [[Opsware]]), which was sold to [[Hewlett-Packard]], and [[Ning]], a platform for creating social networking websites. In 2009, he co-founded the venture capital firm [[Andreessen Horowitz]] (also known as "a16z") with longtime business partner [[Ben Horowitz]]. The firm grew into one of the most prominent investment vehicles in [[Silicon Valley]], backing companies across software, cryptocurrency, and [[artificial intelligence]]. In 2011, Andreessen authored the influential essay "Why Software Is Eating the World," which argued that software companies were poised to disrupt and dominate large sectors of the economy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Marc Andreessen made a dire software prediction 15 years ago. Now it's happening in a way nobody imagined |url=https://fortune.com/2026/02/13/marc-andreessen-software-eating-the-world-saaspocalypse-morgan-stanley-gut-check-displaced-labor/ |work=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Marc Lowell Andreessen was born on July 9, 1971, in [[Cedar Falls, Iowa]]. He grew up in the Midwestern United States. Details about his parents and family background remain limited in published sources, though his childhood in a small Iowa city has been noted by biographers as an unlikely origin point for someone who would become one of the central figures of the internet revolution.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marc Andreessen {{!}} Biography & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marc-Andreessen |publisher=Britannica |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Marc Lowell Andreessen was born on July 9, 1971, in [[Cedar Falls, Iowa]], a small city in the northeastern part of the state.<ref name="britannica" /> He grew up in [[New Lisbon, Wisconsin]], in a middle-class family. His father worked as a seed salesman and his mother worked for Lands' End. Andreessen developed an early interest in computing, teaching himself BASIC programming from a library book when he was in elementary school. He used the family's first computer to write rudimentary programs and explore the capabilities of early personal computing technology.<ref name="britannica" />


Andreessen developed an early interest in computing and technology. He taught himself to program during his youth, a pursuit that would later prove foundational to his career in software development. His upbringing in the American Midwest, far from the technology corridors of California or the East Coast, gave little outward indication of the trajectory his career would take.
Andreessen's upbringing in the rural Midwest shaped his perspective on technology's potential to connect people and broaden access to information. He has spoken in interviews about the contrast between his small-town origins and the global impact of the technologies he later helped create. His early fascination with computers led him to pursue studies in computer science, a decision that would place him at the center of one of the most transformative technological developments of the twentieth century.


== Education ==
== Education ==


Andreessen attended the [[University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign]], where he earned a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in [[computer science]]. While an undergraduate, he worked at the university's [[National Center for Supercomputing Applications]] (NCSA), a federally funded research center that was at the forefront of high-performance computing and networking research.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marc Andreessen {{!}} Biography & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marc-Andreessen |publisher=Britannica |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Andreessen enrolled at the [[University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign]], where he studied computer science. During his undergraduate studies, he worked at the university's [[National Center for Supercomputing Applications]] (NCSA), a federally funded research center that was at the forefront of high-performance computing and networking research.<ref name="britannica" /> It was at the NCSA that Andreessen, together with programmer Eric Bina, developed the Mosaic web browser in 1993. Mosaic was not the first web browser — [[Tim Berners-Lee]] had created the original browser at [[CERN]] — but it was the first to combine a user-friendly graphical interface with the ability to display images inline with text on the same page, rather than in separate windows.<ref name="britannica" /><ref name="netvalley">{{cite web |title=Net History: Chapter 4 |url=http://www.netvalley.com/cgi-bin/intval/net_history.pl?chapter=4 |publisher=NetValley |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> This innovation made the web accessible to non-technical users for the first time and contributed to the rapid growth of internet adoption. Andreessen graduated with a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in computer science in 1993.<ref name="britannica" />
 
It was at the NCSA that Andreessen, together with programmer [[Eric Bina]], developed the Mosaic web browser. The project, begun in late 1992 and released in 1993, represented a significant advance in the usability of the World Wide Web by integrating images directly into the browsing experience, rather than requiring users to open them in separate windows. Mosaic's graphical interface made the web accessible to non-technical users for the first time and contributed substantially to the rapid growth of internet adoption in the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |title=The History of the Net — Chapter 4 |url=http://www.netvalley.com/cgi-bin/intval/net_history.pl?chapter=4 |publisher=Net Valley |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
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=== Mosaic and the Birth of the Web Browser ===
=== Mosaic and the Birth of the Web Browser ===


Andreessen's work on the Mosaic web browser at the NCSA marked his first major contribution to the technology industry. Mosaic was not the first web browser—earlier browsers such as [[WorldWideWeb (browser)|WorldWideWeb]] and [[Line Mode Browser]] had been created by [[Tim Berners-Lee]] and others at [[CERN]]—but it was the first to combine text and images on a single page in an intuitive graphical interface. Released in 1993 for [[Unix]], [[Windows]], and [[Macintosh]] platforms, Mosaic spread rapidly among academic and then general audiences.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marc Andreessen {{!}} Biography & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marc-Andreessen |publisher=Britannica |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
The development of Mosaic at the NCSA in 1992–1993 represented a turning point in the history of the internet. Before Mosaic, web browsing was largely a text-based experience accessible primarily to researchers and technologists. Andreessen and Bina created a browser that could render graphics alongside text, providing a visual experience that made the web intuitive and appealing to a mass audience.<ref name="britannica" /> Mosaic was released in several versions for different operating systems and quickly gained millions of users. The browser's popularity demonstrated the commercial potential of the World Wide Web and attracted the attention of entrepreneurs and investors.


The browser's popularity demonstrated the commercial potential of the World Wide Web and attracted the attention of [[Jim Clark]], the founder of [[Silicon Graphics]]. Clark approached Andreessen in early 1994 with a proposal to start a new company that would build on the concepts pioneered in Mosaic.
Andreessen's work on Mosaic earned him significant recognition. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine featured him on its cover in February 1996, reflecting the cultural impact of his contributions to web technology.<ref name="time_cover">{{cite web |title=Time Magazine Cover: Marc Andreessen |url=http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,1101960219,00.html |publisher=Time Inc. |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He was also named to ''[[MIT Technology Review]]'''s TR35 list of top innovators under the age of 35.<ref name="tr35">{{cite web |title=TR35 Profile: Marc Andreessen |url=http://www.technologyreview.com/tr35/profile.aspx?TRID=518 |publisher=MIT Technology Review |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Netscape Communications ===
=== Netscape Communications ===


In April 1994, Andreessen and Jim Clark co-founded Mosaic Communications Corporation, which was soon renamed [[Netscape Communications Corporation]] to avoid trademark disputes with the University of Illinois. The company developed [[Netscape Navigator]], a commercial web browser that improved upon the Mosaic concept with greater speed, stability, and features. Navigator quickly captured a dominant share of the browser market, reportedly reaching over 80 percent usage at its peak.
After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1993, Andreessen moved to California, where he was recruited by [[Jim Clark]], the founder of [[Silicon Graphics]]. Clark, who recognized the commercial potential of Mosaic, proposed that the two start a company to build a commercial web browser. They founded Mosaic Communications Corporation in April 1994, which was later renamed Netscape Communications Corporation after the University of Illinois objected to the use of the Mosaic name.<ref name="britannica" />
 
Netscape's [[initial public offering]] on August 9, 1995, became one of the landmark events in technology business history. The stock, initially priced at $28 per share, soared to $75 on its first day of trading before closing at $58.25. The IPO valued the company at approximately $2.9 billion, a remarkable figure for a firm that had yet to turn a profit. The event is frequently cited as the catalyst for the broader [[dot-com bubble]], drawing widespread public and investor attention to the commercial possibilities of the internet.<ref>{{cite web |title=BusinessWeek: Netscape |url=http://www.businessweek.com/1998/15/topstory.htm |publisher=BusinessWeek |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Andreessen, then 24 years old, became the public face of the internet boom. He appeared on the cover of ''Time'' magazine on February 19, 1996, barefoot and seated on a throne-like chair, an image that came to symbolize the brash confidence of the first generation of internet entrepreneurs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Time Magazine Cover: Marc Andreessen |url=http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,1101960219,00.html |publisher=Time Inc. |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Netscape developed [[Netscape Navigator]], a commercial web browser that built on the innovations of Mosaic but with substantial improvements in speed, stability, and features. Navigator quickly captured a dominant share of the browser market, reaching an estimated 70 to 80 percent market share at its peak. The company's initial public offering on August 9, 1995, became one of the most celebrated events in the history of Wall Street technology investing. Netscape's stock price soared on its first day of trading, and the IPO is frequently cited as the event that launched the dot-com era.<ref name="britannica" /><ref name="bweek98">{{cite web |title=Netscape Coverage |url=http://www.businessweek.com/1998/15/topstory.htm |publisher=BusinessWeek |date=1998 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Netscape subsequently engaged in the so-called [[browser wars]] with [[Microsoft]], whose [[Internet Explorer]] browser was bundled with the [[Windows]] operating system beginning in 1995. Microsoft's aggressive distribution strategy eroded Netscape's market share over the following years. In 1998, Netscape released the source code of its browser under an open-source license, creating the [[Mozilla]] project. Later that year, [[AOL]] acquired Netscape for approximately $4.2 billion in stock.<ref>{{cite web |title=BusinessWeek: Netscape and AOL |url=http://www.businessweek.com/1998/15/b3573002.htm |publisher=BusinessWeek |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
The rise of Netscape precipitated the [[browser wars]] of the late 1990s, as [[Microsoft]] entered the market with [[Internet Explorer]] and bundled it with the [[Windows]] operating system. Microsoft's aggressive competitive tactics eventually eroded Netscape's market share. In 1998, Netscape was acquired by [[AOL]] in a deal valued at approximately $4.2 billion.<ref name="britannica" /><ref name="bweek98_2">{{cite web |title=Netscape and AOL |url=http://www.businessweek.com/1998/15/b3573002.htm |publisher=BusinessWeek |date=1998 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The browser wars and the antitrust litigation that followed, culminating in the [[United States v. Microsoft Corp.]] case, had lasting implications for technology industry regulation.


=== Loudcloud and Opsware ===
=== Loudcloud and Opsware ===


After leaving Netscape, Andreessen co-founded [[Loudcloud]] in 1999 with [[Ben Horowitz]], [[Tim Howes]], and [[In Sik Rhee]]. Loudcloud was a cloud computing infrastructure company that provided managed hosting services, a concept that was ahead of its time but proved difficult to sustain through the dot-com crash of 2000–2001.
Following the AOL acquisition of Netscape, Andreessen and business partner [[Ben Horowitz]] co-founded [[Loudcloud]] in 1999, a company that provided cloud computing infrastructure services to enterprises during the early days of internet-based business operations. Loudcloud went public in 2001, though it faced significant challenges during the [[dot-com bust]]. In 2002, the company sold its managed services business to [[Electronic Data Systems]] and refocused its remaining software assets under the new name [[Opsware]].


In 2002, the company sold its managed services business to [[Electronic Data Systems]] (EDS) and pivoted to enterprise software, renaming itself [[Opsware]]. The company developed software for automating data center operations. In 2007, [[Hewlett-Packard]] acquired Opsware for approximately $1.6 billion, providing a significant return for Andreessen and his co-founders and validating the enterprise software strategy they had adopted after the dot-com downturn.<ref>{{cite web |title=Andreessen Horowitz — Private Company Information |url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=97899&privcapId=35135559&previousCapId=108856&previousTitle=Hewlett-Packard%20Co |publisher=BusinessWeek |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Opsware developed data center automation software that helped enterprises manage their server infrastructure more efficiently. In 2007, [[Hewlett-Packard]] acquired Opsware for approximately $1.6 billion, providing a significant financial return for Andreessen and other investors.<ref name="bweek_profile" /> The experience of building and navigating Loudcloud through the dot-com collapse and then successfully pivoting and selling Opsware informed Andreessen's later philosophy as a venture capitalist, particularly regarding the resilience required of technology entrepreneurs.


=== Ning ===
=== Ning ===


Andreessen co-founded [[Ning]] in 2005, a platform that allowed users to create their own custom social networking websites. The company aimed to democratize social networking by enabling anyone to build a community-oriented site without programming knowledge. Ning attracted millions of users and hosted hundreds of thousands of social networks on its platform.
Andreessen also co-founded [[Ning]] in 2005, a platform that allowed users to create their own customized social networking websites. Ning provided tools for building online communities around specific interests, causes, or organizations without requiring technical expertise. The platform attracted millions of users and thousands of active social networks at its peak.<ref name="ning_glam">{{cite web |title=Merging Glam and Ning |url=http://blog.pmarca.com/2011/09/20/merging-glam-and-ning/ |publisher=pmarca.com |date=2011-09-20 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="bi_ning">{{cite news |title=Ning Merges with Glam Media |url=http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-09-20/tech/30179213_1_loudcloud-social-networks-online-publishing |work=Business Insider |date=2011-09-20 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In 2011, Ning merged with Glam Media, an online publishing company, as part of a consolidation of digital media properties.
 
In 2011, Ning was merged with [[Glam Media]], an online media company.<ref>{{cite web |title=Merging Glam and Ning |url=http://blog.pmarca.com/2011/09/20/merging-glam-and-ning/ |publisher=Blog.pmarca.com |date=2011-09-20 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ning Merges with Glam Media |url=http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-09-20/tech/30179213_1_loudcloud-social-networks-online-publishing |work=Business Insider |date=2011-09-20 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Andreessen Horowitz ===
=== Andreessen Horowitz ===


In July 2009, Andreessen and Ben Horowitz co-founded [[Andreessen Horowitz]], a venture capital firm based in [[Menlo Park, California]]. The firm, often referred to by its abbreviation "a16z," launched with an initial fund of $300 million and a distinctive approach to venture capital that emphasized providing portfolio companies not only with funding but also with operational support, including assistance with recruiting, marketing, and business development.<ref>{{cite web |title=Engineer Alumni Profile: Ben Horowitz |url=http://www.engineer.ucla.edu/visitor-links/alumni-parents-friends/alumni-profiles-1/ben-horowitz-ms-201990 |publisher=UCLA Engineering |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In 2009, Andreessen and Ben Horowitz founded [[Andreessen Horowitz]], a venture capital firm based in [[Menlo Park, California]]. The firm, often referred to by its abbreviated name "a16z," was established with the goal of providing not only capital but also operational support and strategic advice to technology startups. Andreessen and Horowitz drew on their experiences as entrepreneurs — including the difficulties they encountered building their own companies — to create a firm model that offered portfolio companies access to recruiting, marketing, business development, and executive coaching services in addition to funding.<ref name="bweek_profile" />


Andreessen Horowitz made early or significant investments in a range of technology companies that became major enterprises, including [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[GitHub]], [[Airbnb]], [[Lyft]], [[Coinbase]], and many others. The firm also invested in emerging areas such as [[cryptocurrency]] and [[blockchain]] technology. In 2012, the firm participated in a $11.2 million investment round in [[Meteor (web framework)|Meteor]], a web development platform.<ref>{{cite web |title=Andreessen Horowitz, Matrix Partners Invest $11.2 Million in Meteor |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/andreessen-horowitz-matrix-partners-invest-112-million-in-meteor-2012-07-25 |publisher=MarketWatch |date=2012-07-25 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Andreessen Horowitz has invested in a wide range of technology companies across sectors including social media, enterprise software, cryptocurrency, and biotechnology. Early investments included notable companies such as [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[GitHub]], [[Airbnb]], [[Lyft]], and [[Coinbase]]. The firm's investment in Facebook was facilitated in part by Andreessen's position on Facebook's board of directors, which he joined in 2008.<ref name="facebook_board" />


The firm also worked to standardize and simplify the legal processes involved in early-stage investing. In 2010, Andreessen Horowitz played a role in the development and launch of "Series Seed" documents, a set of simplified legal templates designed to reduce the cost and complexity of seed-stage financing for entrepreneurs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Series Seed Documents Launch |url=http://kara.allthingsd.com/20100301/series-seed-documents-with-a-big-assist-from-andreessen-horowitz-set-to-launch-to-help-entrepreneurs-with-legal-hairballs/ |publisher=AllThingsD |date=2010-03-01 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
The firm has raised multiple funds, each larger than the last, and has become one of the most recognized names in venture capital. It has been credited with helping to establish a model of "founder-friendly" venture investing, in which the firm prioritizes supporting entrepreneurs rather than seeking to replace management teams. Andreessen Horowitz also played a role in standardizing legal documents for early-stage investments, launching the "Series Seed" documents to simplify the fundraising process for entrepreneurs.<ref name="series_seed">{{cite web |title=Series Seed Documents Launch |url=http://kara.allthingsd.com/20100301/series-seed-documents-with-a-big-assist-from-andreessen-horowitz-set-to-launch-to-help-entrepreneurs-with-legal-hairballs/ |publisher=AllThingsD |date=2010-03-01 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
Andreessen has served on the board of directors of several prominent technology companies. He joined the board of [[Facebook]] (now [[Meta Platforms]]) in 2008, bringing his experience as both an entrepreneur and investor to the social media company during a period of rapid growth.<ref>{{cite news |title=Marc Andreessen Joins Facebook Board |url=http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/6/marc-andreessen-joins-facebook-board |work=Business Insider |date=2008-06 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== "Why Software Is Eating the World" ===
=== "Why Software Is Eating the World" ===


On August 20, 2011, Andreessen published an essay in ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' titled "Why Software Is Eating the World." The piece argued that software companies were increasingly disrupting and displacing established industries across the economy, from retail and entertainment to healthcare and defense. The essay became one of the most widely cited pieces of technology commentary of the decade, and the phrase "software is eating the world" entered common usage in business and technology discourse.<ref>{{cite news |title=Marc Andreessen made a dire software prediction 15 years ago. Now it's happening in a way nobody imagined |url=https://fortune.com/2026/02/13/marc-andreessen-software-eating-the-world-saaspocalypse-morgan-stanley-gut-check-displaced-labor/ |work=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
In August 2011, Andreessen published an essay titled "Why Software Is Eating the World" in ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''. The essay argued that software companies were in the process of fundamentally disrupting traditional industries — from retail and entertainment to healthcare and defense — and that this trend would accelerate as more economic activity moved online. Andreessen contended that many established companies underestimated the threat posed by software-driven competitors and that the economy was undergoing a structural transformation led by technology firms.<ref name="fortune_software" />


As of 2026, the essay's thesis has continued to be debated and reinterpreted, particularly in the context of the rise of [[artificial intelligence]]. A 2026 analysis in ''Fortune'' noted that the essay's predictions were materializing in ways that were not fully anticipated at the time, with software increasingly automating functions that had previously required human labor, a trend accelerated by AI technologies.<ref>{{cite news |title=Marc Andreessen made a dire software prediction 15 years ago. Now it's happening in a way nobody imagined |url=https://fortune.com/2026/02/13/marc-andreessen-software-eating-the-world-saaspocalypse-morgan-stanley-gut-check-displaced-labor/ |work=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
The essay became one of the most cited and discussed pieces of technology commentary of the 2010s. Its central thesis — that software would become the primary driver of value creation across the global economy — proved influential in shaping investment strategies and corporate planning. More than a decade later, commentators have revisited the essay's predictions in the context of developments including the rise of [[artificial intelligence]] and the displacement of traditional [[Software as a service|software-as-a-service]] business models by AI-driven alternatives.<ref name="fortune_software" />


=== Views on Cryptocurrency ===
=== Views on Artificial Intelligence ===


Andreessen has been a vocal advocate for [[Bitcoin]] and [[cryptocurrency]] as a technology category. In early 2014, he articulated his case for Bitcoin's value and potential, arguing that the underlying technology could transform financial services and payments.<ref>{{cite news |title=Marc Andreessen on Why Bitcoin Is Worth Money |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/marc-andreessen-on-why-bitcoin-is-worth-money-2014-1?op=1&IR=T |work=Business Insider |date=2014-01 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Andreessen Horowitz has made substantial investments in cryptocurrency and blockchain-related companies, including the cryptocurrency exchange [[Coinbase]], which went public in 2021.
Andreessen has been a prominent advocate for the development and deployment of artificial intelligence technologies. In public statements and essays, he has argued that AI represents a generational technological opportunity and has pushed back against concerns about AI-driven job displacement. In early 2026, Andreessen stated that AI was arriving at a critical moment to offset shrinking workforces and decades of weak productivity growth, framing the technology as a potential solution to demographic and economic challenges rather than a cause of unemployment.<ref name="bi_ai">{{cite news |title=Marc Andreessen says the real crisis isn't AI job losses — it's what would have happened without AI |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/marc-andreessen-says-ai-wont-kill-jobs-may-save-economy-2026-1 |work=Business Insider |date=2026-01 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Views on Artificial Intelligence ===
=== Views on Cryptocurrency ===


In the mid-2020s, Andreessen became an outspoken commentator on the potential of [[artificial intelligence]]. In public statements reported in early 2026, he argued that AI was arriving at a critical moment to offset shrinking workforces and decades of weak productivity growth, contending that the primary concern should not be AI-driven job losses but rather what would have happened to the economy without AI.<ref>{{cite news |title=Marc Andreessen says the real crisis isn't AI job losses — it's what would have happened without AI |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/marc-andreessen-says-ai-wont-kill-jobs-may-save-economy-2026-1 |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Andreessen has been a vocal proponent of [[Bitcoin]] and [[cryptocurrency]] technologies. He has argued publicly that Bitcoin has real value as a technology and payment system, drawing parallels to earlier technological innovations that were initially dismissed by mainstream observers.<ref name="bitcoin">{{cite news |title=Marc Andreessen on Why Bitcoin Is Worth Money |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/marc-andreessen-on-why-bitcoin-is-worth-money-2014-1?op=1&IR=T |work=Business Insider |date=2014-01 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Andreessen Horowitz has made significant investments in cryptocurrency and blockchain companies, including Coinbase, which went public in 2021.


=== Political Engagement ===
=== Political Engagement ===


Andreessen supported candidates of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] until 2016. In 2024, he became an advisor to [[Donald Trump]], representing a notable shift in his political alignment. Reporting by [[ProPublica]] in November 2025 documented how the [[Trump administration]]'s regulatory decisions, including the reduction of the [[Consumer Financial Protection Bureau]]'s oversight activities, had benefited venture capitalists including Andreessen.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tech Billionaire Marc Andreessen Bet Big on Trump. It's Paying Off for Silicon Valley. |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-cfpb-marc-andreessen-silicon-valley |work=ProPublica |date=2025-11-05 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Andreessen supported candidates of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] until 2016. In 2024, he became an adviser to [[Donald Trump]].<ref name="propublica">{{cite news |title=Tech Billionaire Marc Andreessen Bet Big on Trump. It's Paying Off for Silicon Valley. |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-cfpb-marc-andreessen-silicon-valley |work=ProPublica |date=2025-11-05 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> According to reporting by ProPublica, the [[Trump administration]]'s approach to regulatory agencies, including the gutting of the [[Consumer Financial Protection Bureau]], has been characterized as favorable to the interests of venture capitalists like Andreessen.<ref name="propublica" /> His political shift reflected a broader trend among some technology executives who grew dissatisfied with what they perceived as excessive regulation of the technology and financial sectors under previous administrations.


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Andreessen resides in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]]. He has been described as an avid reader and consumer of information. A 2026 report in ''Fortune'' noted that he spends approximately three hours per day listening to podcasts and audiobooks, a habit he shares with other prominent business figures such as [[Bill Gates]] and [[Mark Cuban]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Billionaire Marc Andreessen spends 3 hours a day listening to podcasts and audiobooks |url=https://fortune.com/2026/01/20/billionaire-marc-andreessen-reading-listening-to-books-habit-of-high-success-like-bill-gates-mark-cuban/ |work=Fortune |date=2026-01-20 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Andreessen is known for his avid reading and information consumption habits. He has stated that he spends approximately three hours per day listening to podcasts and audiobooks, a practice he has described as central to his approach to learning and staying informed about developments across a wide range of fields.<ref name="fortune_reading">{{cite news |title=Billionaire Marc Andreessen spends 3 hours a day listening to podcasts and audiobooks |url=https://fortune.com/2026/01/20/billionaire-marc-andreessen-reading-listening-to-books-habit-of-high-success-like-bill-gates-mark-cuban/ |work=Fortune |date=2026-01-20 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Andreessen has engaged in philanthropic activities. In 2007, he and his wife made a pledge to [[Stanford Hospital]] in support of emergency care services.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pledge for Emergency Care |url=http://stanfordhospital.org/newsEvents/newsReleases/2007/pledgeEmergencyCare.html |publisher=Stanford Hospital |date=2007 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Andreessen and his wife, Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen, have been involved in philanthropic activities. In 2007, the couple made a pledge to support emergency care at [[Stanford Hospital]].<ref name="stanford">{{cite web |title=Pledge for Emergency Care |url=http://stanfordhospital.org/newsEvents/newsReleases/2007/pledgeEmergencyCare.html |publisher=Stanford Hospital |date=2007 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen is the daughter of Silicon Valley real estate developer John Arrillaga and has been active in the field of philanthropy and social impact.
 
Andreessen has maintained an active public presence through social media, blogging, and podcast appearances. His blog, pmarca.com, and his posts on social media platforms have been widely followed in technology and investment communities. He is known for his outspoken commentary on technology, economics, politics, and culture.


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


Andreessen has received numerous awards and honors over the course of his career. In 2012, ''Time'' magazine named him to its list of the 100 most influential people in the world, recognizing his impact as both a technology pioneer and an investor shaping the next generation of technology companies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Time 100 Most Influential People |url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2111975_2111976_2112116,00.html |publisher=Time Inc. |date=2012 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Andreessen has received recognition from a number of institutions for his contributions to technology and entrepreneurship. ''Time'' magazine placed him on its cover in February 1996, during the peak of Netscape's influence on the emerging web.<ref name="time_cover" /> He was named to the ''Time'' 100 list of the most influential people in the world, acknowledging his impact on the technology industry and broader economy.<ref name="time100">{{cite web |title=Time 100: Most Influential People |url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2111975_2111976_2112116,00.html |publisher=Time Inc. |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


He was recognized by the ''[[MIT Technology Review]]'' as one of the top innovators under 35 (TR35), an honor that acknowledged his early contributions to internet technology.<ref>{{cite web |title=TR35 Profile: Marc Andreessen |url=http://www.technologyreview.com/tr35/profile.aspx?TRID=518 |publisher=MIT Technology Review |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
He was selected for ''MIT Technology Review'''s TR35 list, which recognizes top innovators under the age of 35.<ref name="tr35" /> In addition, Andreessen was among the recipients of the [[Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering]], an international prize that recognizes engineers whose work has been of global benefit.<ref name="qeprize">{{cite web |title=Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering |url=http://qeprize.org/ |publisher=QEPrize Foundation |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The prize recognized the team of engineers responsible for the development of the World Wide Web and browser technology, including Andreessen's contributions to Mosaic and Netscape.


Andreessen is also a recipient of the [[Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering]], a global prize that recognizes engineers responsible for groundbreaking innovations that have benefited humanity. The prize committee recognized his contributions to the development of the web browser and, by extension, the broader internet ecosystem.<ref>{{cite web |title=Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering |url=http://qeprize.org/ |publisher=QEPrize Foundation |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
His 2011 essay "Why Software Is Eating the World" has been described by commentators as one of the defining pieces of technology strategy writing of its era, and its thesis has been revisited and debated extensively in the years following its publication.<ref name="fortune_software" />


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Andreessen's career spans multiple eras of the technology industry, from the emergence of the World Wide Web in the early 1990s through the rise of social media, cloud computing, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence. His development of the Mosaic web browser is recognized by technology historians as a pivotal moment in making the internet accessible to a global audience. The subsequent creation and IPO of Netscape helped establish the commercial internet as an industry and inspired a generation of technology entrepreneurs and investors.
Marc Andreessen's career spans the development of the graphical web browser, the commercialization of the internet, the rise of cloud computing, the growth of social networking, and the emergence of venture capital as a dominant force in the technology industry. His co-creation of Mosaic and co-founding of Netscape placed him at the center of the internet's transformation from an academic and government network into a commercial and cultural phenomenon.<ref name="britannica" />


As a venture capitalist, Andreessen's influence has extended beyond individual investments to shape broader industry thinking about the role of software and technology in economic transformation. His 2011 essay "Why Software Is Eating the World" provided a conceptual framework that has been widely adopted in business strategy and technology investment. The essay's thesis continues to be referenced and debated, particularly as artificial intelligence introduces new dimensions to the relationship between software and economic activity.<ref>{{cite news |title=Marc Andreessen made a dire software prediction 15 years ago. Now it's happening in a way nobody imagined |url=https://fortune.com/2026/02/13/marc-andreessen-software-eating-the-world-saaspocalypse-morgan-stanley-gut-check-displaced-labor/ |work=Fortune |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
As a venture capitalist, Andreessen has influenced the direction of the technology industry through the investments made by Andreessen Horowitz. The firm's approach — combining capital with operational support and a founder-centric philosophy — has been adopted and emulated by other venture capital firms. The firm's early investments in companies such as Facebook, Airbnb, and Coinbase have shaped the landscape of social media, the sharing economy, and cryptocurrency markets.


Andreessen Horowitz, the firm he co-founded with Ben Horowitz, has grown from a single fund into a multi-billion-dollar investment platform with interests spanning enterprise software, consumer technology, fintech, cryptocurrency, biology, and artificial intelligence. The firm's model of providing operational support alongside capital has influenced the practices of other venture capital firms in Silicon Valley and beyond.
Andreessen's public writings and statements have contributed to broader debates about the role of technology in society. His 2011 essay on software's disruption of traditional industries articulated a framework that has been used by entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate strategists to understand and anticipate the effects of digital transformation.<ref name="fortune_software" /> His more recent advocacy for artificial intelligence as a solution to demographic and productivity challenges represents a continuation of his longstanding argument that technology, when widely deployed, creates more economic value than it destroys.<ref name="bi_ai" />


Andreessen's political trajectory—from supporting Democratic candidates to advising the Trump administration in 2024—has also attracted attention as emblematic of broader shifts in the political leanings of parts of the technology industry.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tech Billionaire Marc Andreessen Bet Big on Trump. It's Paying Off for Silicon Valley. |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-cfpb-marc-andreessen-silicon-valley |work=ProPublica |date=2025-11-05 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
His career trajectory — from a student programmer at a midwestern university to one of the most influential figures in Silicon Valley — illustrates the capacity of software innovation to generate outsized economic and cultural impact. Through his work as an engineer, entrepreneur, investor, and public commentator, Andreessen has been a central figure in the technology industry for more than three decades.


== References ==
== References ==
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Latest revision as of 01:51, 24 February 2026



Marc Andreessen
BornMarc Lowell Andreessen
9 7, 1971
BirthplaceCedar Falls, Iowa, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationVenture capitalist, businessman, former software engineer
Known forCo-creator of Mosaic, co-founder of Netscape, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz
EducationUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (BS)
AwardsQueen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering

Marc Lowell Andreessen (born July 9, 1971) is an American businessman, venture capitalist, and former software engineer who played a pivotal role in the early development of the World Wide Web. As the co-author of Mosaic, the first widely used web browser capable of displaying inline images alongside text, Andreessen helped transform the internet from a text-based academic tool into a visual, accessible medium that would reshape global commerce and communication.[1] He subsequently co-founded Netscape Communications Corporation, whose Netscape Navigator browser became the dominant gateway to the web in the mid-1990s and whose initial public offering in 1995 is widely credited with igniting the dot-com bubble. After Netscape's acquisition by AOL, Andreessen co-founded the enterprise software company Loudcloud, later renamed Opsware, which was sold to Hewlett-Packard in 2007. He also co-founded the social networking platform Ning. In 2009, Andreessen and longtime business partner Ben Horowitz established the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (also known as "a16z"), which has grown into one of the most prominent investment firms in Silicon Valley.[2] Andreessen has served on the boards of several major technology companies, including Facebook.[3] A prolific commentator on technology and its economic implications, he authored the influential 2011 essay "Why Software Is Eating the World," which argued that software companies were poised to disrupt and dominate large sectors of the global economy.[4]

Early Life

Marc Lowell Andreessen was born on July 9, 1971, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, a small city in the northeastern part of the state.[1] He grew up in New Lisbon, Wisconsin, in a middle-class family. His father worked as a seed salesman and his mother worked for Lands' End. Andreessen developed an early interest in computing, teaching himself BASIC programming from a library book when he was in elementary school. He used the family's first computer to write rudimentary programs and explore the capabilities of early personal computing technology.[1]

Andreessen's upbringing in the rural Midwest shaped his perspective on technology's potential to connect people and broaden access to information. He has spoken in interviews about the contrast between his small-town origins and the global impact of the technologies he later helped create. His early fascination with computers led him to pursue studies in computer science, a decision that would place him at the center of one of the most transformative technological developments of the twentieth century.

Education

Andreessen enrolled at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he studied computer science. During his undergraduate studies, he worked at the university's National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), a federally funded research center that was at the forefront of high-performance computing and networking research.[1] It was at the NCSA that Andreessen, together with programmer Eric Bina, developed the Mosaic web browser in 1993. Mosaic was not the first web browser — Tim Berners-Lee had created the original browser at CERN — but it was the first to combine a user-friendly graphical interface with the ability to display images inline with text on the same page, rather than in separate windows.[1][5] This innovation made the web accessible to non-technical users for the first time and contributed to the rapid growth of internet adoption. Andreessen graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science in 1993.[1]

Career

Mosaic and the Birth of the Web Browser

The development of Mosaic at the NCSA in 1992–1993 represented a turning point in the history of the internet. Before Mosaic, web browsing was largely a text-based experience accessible primarily to researchers and technologists. Andreessen and Bina created a browser that could render graphics alongside text, providing a visual experience that made the web intuitive and appealing to a mass audience.[1] Mosaic was released in several versions for different operating systems and quickly gained millions of users. The browser's popularity demonstrated the commercial potential of the World Wide Web and attracted the attention of entrepreneurs and investors.

Andreessen's work on Mosaic earned him significant recognition. Time magazine featured him on its cover in February 1996, reflecting the cultural impact of his contributions to web technology.[6] He was also named to MIT Technology Review's TR35 list of top innovators under the age of 35.[7]

Netscape Communications

After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1993, Andreessen moved to California, where he was recruited by Jim Clark, the founder of Silicon Graphics. Clark, who recognized the commercial potential of Mosaic, proposed that the two start a company to build a commercial web browser. They founded Mosaic Communications Corporation in April 1994, which was later renamed Netscape Communications Corporation after the University of Illinois objected to the use of the Mosaic name.[1]

Netscape developed Netscape Navigator, a commercial web browser that built on the innovations of Mosaic but with substantial improvements in speed, stability, and features. Navigator quickly captured a dominant share of the browser market, reaching an estimated 70 to 80 percent market share at its peak. The company's initial public offering on August 9, 1995, became one of the most celebrated events in the history of Wall Street technology investing. Netscape's stock price soared on its first day of trading, and the IPO is frequently cited as the event that launched the dot-com era.[1][8]

The rise of Netscape precipitated the browser wars of the late 1990s, as Microsoft entered the market with Internet Explorer and bundled it with the Windows operating system. Microsoft's aggressive competitive tactics eventually eroded Netscape's market share. In 1998, Netscape was acquired by AOL in a deal valued at approximately $4.2 billion.[1][9] The browser wars and the antitrust litigation that followed, culminating in the United States v. Microsoft Corp. case, had lasting implications for technology industry regulation.

Loudcloud and Opsware

Following the AOL acquisition of Netscape, Andreessen and business partner Ben Horowitz co-founded Loudcloud in 1999, a company that provided cloud computing infrastructure services to enterprises during the early days of internet-based business operations. Loudcloud went public in 2001, though it faced significant challenges during the dot-com bust. In 2002, the company sold its managed services business to Electronic Data Systems and refocused its remaining software assets under the new name Opsware.

Opsware developed data center automation software that helped enterprises manage their server infrastructure more efficiently. In 2007, Hewlett-Packard acquired Opsware for approximately $1.6 billion, providing a significant financial return for Andreessen and other investors.[2] The experience of building and navigating Loudcloud through the dot-com collapse and then successfully pivoting and selling Opsware informed Andreessen's later philosophy as a venture capitalist, particularly regarding the resilience required of technology entrepreneurs.

Ning

Andreessen also co-founded Ning in 2005, a platform that allowed users to create their own customized social networking websites. Ning provided tools for building online communities around specific interests, causes, or organizations without requiring technical expertise. The platform attracted millions of users and thousands of active social networks at its peak.[10][11] In 2011, Ning merged with Glam Media, an online publishing company, as part of a consolidation of digital media properties.

Andreessen Horowitz

In 2009, Andreessen and Ben Horowitz founded Andreessen Horowitz, a venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California. The firm, often referred to by its abbreviated name "a16z," was established with the goal of providing not only capital but also operational support and strategic advice to technology startups. Andreessen and Horowitz drew on their experiences as entrepreneurs — including the difficulties they encountered building their own companies — to create a firm model that offered portfolio companies access to recruiting, marketing, business development, and executive coaching services in addition to funding.[2]

Andreessen Horowitz has invested in a wide range of technology companies across sectors including social media, enterprise software, cryptocurrency, and biotechnology. Early investments included notable companies such as Facebook, Twitter, GitHub, Airbnb, Lyft, and Coinbase. The firm's investment in Facebook was facilitated in part by Andreessen's position on Facebook's board of directors, which he joined in 2008.[3]

The firm has raised multiple funds, each larger than the last, and has become one of the most recognized names in venture capital. It has been credited with helping to establish a model of "founder-friendly" venture investing, in which the firm prioritizes supporting entrepreneurs rather than seeking to replace management teams. Andreessen Horowitz also played a role in standardizing legal documents for early-stage investments, launching the "Series Seed" documents to simplify the fundraising process for entrepreneurs.[12]

"Why Software Is Eating the World"

In August 2011, Andreessen published an essay titled "Why Software Is Eating the World" in The Wall Street Journal. The essay argued that software companies were in the process of fundamentally disrupting traditional industries — from retail and entertainment to healthcare and defense — and that this trend would accelerate as more economic activity moved online. Andreessen contended that many established companies underestimated the threat posed by software-driven competitors and that the economy was undergoing a structural transformation led by technology firms.[4]

The essay became one of the most cited and discussed pieces of technology commentary of the 2010s. Its central thesis — that software would become the primary driver of value creation across the global economy — proved influential in shaping investment strategies and corporate planning. More than a decade later, commentators have revisited the essay's predictions in the context of developments including the rise of artificial intelligence and the displacement of traditional software-as-a-service business models by AI-driven alternatives.[4]

Views on Artificial Intelligence

Andreessen has been a prominent advocate for the development and deployment of artificial intelligence technologies. In public statements and essays, he has argued that AI represents a generational technological opportunity and has pushed back against concerns about AI-driven job displacement. In early 2026, Andreessen stated that AI was arriving at a critical moment to offset shrinking workforces and decades of weak productivity growth, framing the technology as a potential solution to demographic and economic challenges rather than a cause of unemployment.[13]

Views on Cryptocurrency

Andreessen has been a vocal proponent of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency technologies. He has argued publicly that Bitcoin has real value as a technology and payment system, drawing parallels to earlier technological innovations that were initially dismissed by mainstream observers.[14] Andreessen Horowitz has made significant investments in cryptocurrency and blockchain companies, including Coinbase, which went public in 2021.

Political Engagement

Andreessen supported candidates of the Democratic Party until 2016. In 2024, he became an adviser to Donald Trump.[15] According to reporting by ProPublica, the Trump administration's approach to regulatory agencies, including the gutting of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has been characterized as favorable to the interests of venture capitalists like Andreessen.[15] His political shift reflected a broader trend among some technology executives who grew dissatisfied with what they perceived as excessive regulation of the technology and financial sectors under previous administrations.

Personal Life

Andreessen is known for his avid reading and information consumption habits. He has stated that he spends approximately three hours per day listening to podcasts and audiobooks, a practice he has described as central to his approach to learning and staying informed about developments across a wide range of fields.[16]

Andreessen and his wife, Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen, have been involved in philanthropic activities. In 2007, the couple made a pledge to support emergency care at Stanford Hospital.[17] Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen is the daughter of Silicon Valley real estate developer John Arrillaga and has been active in the field of philanthropy and social impact.

Andreessen has maintained an active public presence through social media, blogging, and podcast appearances. His blog, pmarca.com, and his posts on social media platforms have been widely followed in technology and investment communities. He is known for his outspoken commentary on technology, economics, politics, and culture.

Recognition

Andreessen has received recognition from a number of institutions for his contributions to technology and entrepreneurship. Time magazine placed him on its cover in February 1996, during the peak of Netscape's influence on the emerging web.[6] He was named to the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world, acknowledging his impact on the technology industry and broader economy.[18]

He was selected for MIT Technology Review's TR35 list, which recognizes top innovators under the age of 35.[7] In addition, Andreessen was among the recipients of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, an international prize that recognizes engineers whose work has been of global benefit.[19] The prize recognized the team of engineers responsible for the development of the World Wide Web and browser technology, including Andreessen's contributions to Mosaic and Netscape.

His 2011 essay "Why Software Is Eating the World" has been described by commentators as one of the defining pieces of technology strategy writing of its era, and its thesis has been revisited and debated extensively in the years following its publication.[4]

Legacy

Marc Andreessen's career spans the development of the graphical web browser, the commercialization of the internet, the rise of cloud computing, the growth of social networking, and the emergence of venture capital as a dominant force in the technology industry. His co-creation of Mosaic and co-founding of Netscape placed him at the center of the internet's transformation from an academic and government network into a commercial and cultural phenomenon.[1]

As a venture capitalist, Andreessen has influenced the direction of the technology industry through the investments made by Andreessen Horowitz. The firm's approach — combining capital with operational support and a founder-centric philosophy — has been adopted and emulated by other venture capital firms. The firm's early investments in companies such as Facebook, Airbnb, and Coinbase have shaped the landscape of social media, the sharing economy, and cryptocurrency markets.

Andreessen's public writings and statements have contributed to broader debates about the role of technology in society. His 2011 essay on software's disruption of traditional industries articulated a framework that has been used by entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate strategists to understand and anticipate the effects of digital transformation.[4] His more recent advocacy for artificial intelligence as a solution to demographic and productivity challenges represents a continuation of his longstanding argument that technology, when widely deployed, creates more economic value than it destroys.[13]

His career trajectory — from a student programmer at a midwestern university to one of the most influential figures in Silicon Valley — illustrates the capacity of software innovation to generate outsized economic and cultural impact. Through his work as an engineer, entrepreneur, investor, and public commentator, Andreessen has been a central figure in the technology industry for more than three decades.

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 "Marc Andreessen | Biography & Facts".Britannica.https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marc-Andreessen.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Marc Andreessen Profile".Bloomberg Businessweek.http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=97899&privcapId=35135559&previousCapId=108856&previousTitle=Hewlett-Packard%20Co.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Marc Andreessen Joins Facebook Board".Business Insider.http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/6/marc-andreessen-joins-facebook-board.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Marc Andreessen made a dire software prediction 15 years ago. Now it's happening in a way nobody imagined".Fortune.2026-02-13.https://fortune.com/2026/02/13/marc-andreessen-software-eating-the-world-saaspocalypse-morgan-stanley-gut-check-displaced-labor/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  5. ↑ "Net History: Chapter 4".NetValley.http://www.netvalley.com/cgi-bin/intval/net_history.pl?chapter=4.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Time Magazine Cover: Marc Andreessen".Time Inc..http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,1101960219,00.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "TR35 Profile: Marc Andreessen".MIT Technology Review.http://www.technologyreview.com/tr35/profile.aspx?TRID=518.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. ↑ "Netscape Coverage".BusinessWeek.1998.http://www.businessweek.com/1998/15/topstory.htm.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ↑ "Netscape and AOL".BusinessWeek.1998.http://www.businessweek.com/1998/15/b3573002.htm.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  10. ↑ "Merging Glam and Ning".pmarca.com.2011-09-20.http://blog.pmarca.com/2011/09/20/merging-glam-and-ning/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  11. ↑ "Ning Merges with Glam Media".Business Insider.2011-09-20.http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-09-20/tech/30179213_1_loudcloud-social-networks-online-publishing.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ↑ "Series Seed Documents Launch".AllThingsD.2010-03-01.http://kara.allthingsd.com/20100301/series-seed-documents-with-a-big-assist-from-andreessen-horowitz-set-to-launch-to-help-entrepreneurs-with-legal-hairballs/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Marc Andreessen says the real crisis isn't AI job losses — it's what would have happened without AI".Business Insider.2026-01.https://www.businessinsider.com/marc-andreessen-says-ai-wont-kill-jobs-may-save-economy-2026-1.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  14. ↑ "Marc Andreessen on Why Bitcoin Is Worth Money".Business Insider.2014-01.http://www.businessinsider.com/marc-andreessen-on-why-bitcoin-is-worth-money-2014-1?op=1&IR=T.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Tech Billionaire Marc Andreessen Bet Big on Trump. It's Paying Off for Silicon Valley.".ProPublica.2025-11-05.https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-cfpb-marc-andreessen-silicon-valley.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  16. ↑ "Billionaire Marc Andreessen spends 3 hours a day listening to podcasts and audiobooks".Fortune.2026-01-20.https://fortune.com/2026/01/20/billionaire-marc-andreessen-reading-listening-to-books-habit-of-high-success-like-bill-gates-mark-cuban/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  17. ↑ "Pledge for Emergency Care".Stanford Hospital.2007.http://stanfordhospital.org/newsEvents/newsReleases/2007/pledgeEmergencyCare.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  18. ↑ "Time 100: Most Influential People".Time Inc..http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2111975_2111976_2112116,00.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  19. ↑ "Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering".QEPrize Foundation.http://qeprize.org/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.

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