Marc Andreessen: Difference between revisions

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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 has occupied a central position in the development of the commercial internet and the technology investment landscape for more than three decades. As a young programmer at the [[National Center for Supercomputing Applications]] (NCSA) at the [[University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign]], he co-authored [[Mosaic (web browser)|Mosaic]], the first widely used web browser capable of displaying inline images alongside text — a technical achievement that transformed the [[World Wide Web]] 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=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He subsequently co-founded [[Netscape Communications Corporation]], whose Netscape Navigator browser became the dominant gateway to the early web and whose 1995 initial public offering is regarded as a defining event of 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]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Merging Glam and Ning |url=http://blog.pmarca.com/2011/09/20/merging-glam-and-ning/ |publisher=pmarca blog |date=2011-09-20 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In 2009, alongside longtime business partner [[Ben Horowitz]], Andreessen established the venture capital firm [[Andreessen Horowitz]] (also known as a16z), which has become one of the most prominent technology investment firms in [[Silicon Valley]]. Andreessen has served on the boards of several major technology companies, including [[Facebook]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Marc Andreessen Joins Facebook Board |url=http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/6/marc-andreessen-joins-facebook-board |publisher=Business Insider |date=2008-06 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In 2024, he became a political advisor to [[Donald Trump]].<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>
'''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>


== Early Life ==
== 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marc Andreessen {{!}} Biography & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marc-Andreessen |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He grew up in [[New Lisbon, Wisconsin]], a rural community in central Wisconsin. Andreessen developed an early interest in computers and taught himself to program during childhood. By the time he was in elementary school, he had begun writing code on the family's early personal computers. His early exposure to computing set the stage for his later academic and professional pursuits.
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 has spoken publicly about growing up in a small town and how his access to technology — even in a relatively remote location — shaped his worldview about the democratizing potential of computers and the internet. His upbringing in the rural Midwest would later inform his perspective that technology could serve as an equalizing force, extending economic and intellectual opportunity beyond traditional urban centers.
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 enrolled at the [[University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign]], where he pursued a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in [[computer science]]. During his time at the university, he worked at the [[National Center for Supercomputing Applications]] (NCSA), one of the original sites of the [[National Science Foundation]]'s supercomputer centers program.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marc Andreessen {{!}} Biography & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marc-Andreessen |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> It was at the NCSA where Andreessen, working alongside fellow programmer [[Eric Bina]], developed the Mosaic web browser in 1992 and 1993. The project was undertaken while Andreessen was still an undergraduate, and it represented a breakthrough in making the World Wide Web accessible to non-technical users. Andreessen completed his bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.<ref>{{cite web |title=Net History |url=http://www.netvalley.com/cgi-bin/intval/net_history.pl?chapter=4 |publisher=NetValley |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" />


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


While employed as a part-time student worker at the NCSA, Andreessen and Eric Bina created the Mosaic web browser during 1992–1993. Prior to Mosaic, the World Wide Web existed primarily as a text-based system used by academics and researchers. Existing browsers such as Tim Berners-Lee's original WorldWideWeb browser and the line-mode browser were difficult for ordinary users to operate and lacked visual appeal. Mosaic introduced several key innovations, most notably the ability to display images inline with text on the same page, rather than in separate windows.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marc Andreessen {{!}} Biography & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marc-Andreessen |publisher=Encyclopædia 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 was released for free and quickly gained a large user base. Mosaic was made available for multiple operating systems, including Unix, Windows, and Macintosh, which broadened its reach considerably. The graphical, intuitive interface of Mosaic is credited with helping to ignite popular interest in the World Wide Web and, by extension, the broader internet. The browser's success drew widespread media attention to Andreessen, who appeared on the cover of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine in February 1996.<ref>{{cite web |title=Time Magazine Cover |url=http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,1101960219,00.html |publisher=Time Inc. |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
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 ===


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 web browser technology, proposed that the two start a company together. They co-founded Mosaic Communications Corporation in April 1994, which was later renamed [[Netscape Communications Corporation]] to avoid trademark disputes with the University of Illinois and the NCSA.
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 developed and released [[Netscape Navigator]], a commercial web browser that built upon the concepts Andreessen and Bina had pioneered with Mosaic but was written with an entirely new codebase. Navigator quickly became the dominant web browser, commanding a substantial share of the market in its early years. The browser was initially distributed for free to individual users and sold to businesses, a distribution strategy that became influential in the software industry.
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's [[initial public offering]] (IPO) on August 9, 1995, became one of the most notable events in the history of American financial markets. The stock, originally priced at $28 per share, opened at $71 and closed its first day of trading at $58.25, giving the company a market valuation of approximately $2.9 billion. The IPO is frequently cited as a catalyzing moment for the dot-com era, as it demonstrated to investors and entrepreneurs that internet companies could achieve enormous valuations in a short period of time.<ref>{{cite web |title=Andreessen profile |url=http://www.businessweek.com/1998/15/topstory.htm |publisher=BusinessWeek |date=1998 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Andreessen profile |url=http://www.businessweek.com/1998/15/b3573002.htm |publisher=BusinessWeek |date=1998 |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.
 
The period that followed Netscape's IPO was marked by the so-called [[browser wars]], in which [[Microsoft]] aggressively competed against Navigator with its own [[Internet Explorer]] browser. Microsoft's strategy of bundling Internet Explorer with its [[Windows]] operating system eventually eroded Netscape's market share. In 1998, Netscape was acquired by [[AOL]] for approximately $4.2 billion. The acquisition marked the end of Netscape as an independent company, though it remained in operation as a subsidiary of AOL for several years.


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


Following the Netscape acquisition, Andreessen co-founded [[Loudcloud]] in 1999 with [[Ben Horowitz]], Tim Howes, and In Sik Rhee. Loudcloud was an early [[cloud computing]] company that provided managed services and infrastructure to internet businesses. The company launched at the height of the dot-com boom and attracted significant venture capital investment.
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]].
 
Loudcloud went public in March 2001, but the company faced financial difficulties amid the broader collapse of the dot-com bubble. In 2002, the company sold its managed services business to [[Electronic Data Systems]] (EDS) and pivoted to enterprise software, rebranding as [[Opsware]]. Under the new name, the company developed data center automation software that helped enterprises manage their IT infrastructure.


Opsware was acquired by [[Hewlett-Packard]] in 2007 for approximately $1.6 billion in cash, providing a significant return for the company's investors and validating the strategic pivot from managed services to software.<ref>{{cite web |title=Private company profile: Andreessen |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>
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 2004, a platform that allowed users to create their own custom social networking websites. The service offered a range of tools for building online communities and social networks around specific interests, topics, or organizations. Ning attracted millions of users and hosted a large number of social networks during the height of the social networking boom. In 2011, Ning merged with Glam Media, a digital media company.<ref>{{cite web |title=Merging Glam and Ning |url=http://blog.pmarca.com/2011/09/20/merging-glam-and-ning/ |publisher=pmarca blog |date=2011-09-20 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2011-09-20 |title=Loudcloud, social networks, and online publishing |url=http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-09-20/tech/30179213_1_loudcloud-social-networks-online-publishing |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
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.


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


In July 2009, Andreessen and Ben Horowitz co-founded the venture capital firm [[Andreessen Horowitz]], often referred to by its abbreviation a16z, based in [[Menlo Park, California]]. The firm was established with an initial fund of $300 million and quickly grew into one of the most prominent technology-focused venture capital firms in the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marc Andreessen {{!}} Biography & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marc-Andreessen |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |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 distinguished itself from traditional venture capital firms through several features of its operating model. The firm employed a large team of operating partners and support staff who provided portfolio companies with assistance in areas such as executive recruiting, marketing, business development, and corporate communications. This approach, which Horowitz has described as providing "venture capital plus services," reflected Andreessen and Horowitz's experiences as entrepreneurs who had navigated the challenges of building and scaling technology companies.
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 made early and significant investments in companies across a range of technology sectors. These included investments in social media, enterprise software, cryptocurrency, and [[artificial intelligence]]. Andreessen emerged as a prominent advocate for [[Bitcoin]] and cryptocurrency technology, writing extensively about the potential of decentralized digital currencies to transform financial systems.<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>
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 Horowitz also participated in investments in several other notable technology ventures. Among these was an investment in Meteor, a software development platform, in which the firm participated alongside Matrix Partners in a $11.2 million funding round.<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>
=== "Why Software Is Eating the World" ===


The firm also played a role in shaping the broader venture capital ecosystem. Andreessen Horowitz contributed to the development and release of the Series Seed Documents, a set of simplified legal templates designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs navigate the legal complexities of raising seed funding.<ref>{{cite web |title=Series Seed Documents |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>
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" />


=== "Software Is Eating the World" ===
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" />


In August 2011, Andreessen published an essay in ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' titled "Why Software Is Eating the World." The essay argued that software companies were in the process of disrupting and transforming traditional industries, from retail to healthcare to finance, and that this trend would accelerate as more sectors of the economy were reorganized around software-driven business models. The essay became one of the most cited and discussed pieces of technology commentary of the 2010s, and the phrase "software is eating the world" entered common usage within the technology industry as a shorthand for the pervasive impact of software-based disruption.<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 |date=2026-02-13 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
=== Views on Artificial Intelligence ===
 
The essay's thesis has continued to generate discussion more than a decade after its publication. In 2026, ''Fortune'' magazine revisited the essay, noting that the predictions Andreessen made about the role of software in transforming industries had materialized in ways that were not fully anticipated at the time of writing, particularly in the context of the emergence of [[artificial intelligence]] and its effects on the software-as-a-service industry.<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 |date=2026-02-13 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
=== Board Memberships and Advisory Roles ===


Throughout his career, Andreessen has served on the boards of directors of several prominent technology companies. He joined the board of [[Facebook]] (now [[Meta Platforms]]) in 2008, serving as a director during a period of rapid growth for the social networking company.<ref>{{cite web |title=Marc Andreessen Joins Facebook Board |url=http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/6/marc-andreessen-joins-facebook-board |publisher=Business Insider |date=2008-06 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
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 ===


Andreessen has become a prominent public commentator on artificial intelligence. He has argued that AI technologies are arriving at a critical moment, coinciding with demographic shifts such as shrinking workforces in developed nations and decades of weak productivity growth. In his view, rather than causing mass unemployment, AI serves as a necessary counterbalance to these structural economic challenges.<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 |date=2026-01 |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 Activity ===
=== Political Engagement ===


Andreessen supported [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] presidential candidates until 2016. In 2024, he became a political advisor to [[Donald Trump]].<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> A 2025 investigation by [[ProPublica]] reported that the Trump administration's policy decisions, including the reduction of the [[Consumer Financial Protection Bureau]]'s operations, had benefited venture capitalists such as Andreessen. The report examined the relationship between Andreessen's political support for Trump and subsequent regulatory changes that affected the financial technology sector in which Andreessen Horowitz had significant investments.<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 and his wife, Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen, a philanthropist and Stanford University lecturer, have been involved in charitable activities. In 2007, the couple made a pledge to support emergency care at [[Stanford Hospital]].<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 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 is known for his extensive reading habits. A 2026 ''Fortune'' profile reported that he spends approximately three hours per day listening to podcasts and audiobooks, a practice he has described as a key element of his approach to staying informed about technology, business, and world affairs.<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 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 presence on social media and has been a prolific writer on technology and business topics. His blog, pmarca.com, has featured essays on topics ranging from technology investing to media to economic policy.
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. He was named to the ''[[MIT Technology Review]]'' TR100, a list of the top 100 innovators under the age of 35.<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>
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>
 
In 2013, Andreessen was named to the inaugural class of laureates of the [[Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering]], one of the most prestigious international awards in the field of engineering. The prize was awarded to five individuals — Andreessen, [[Tim Berners-Lee]], [[Vint Cerf]], [[Robert Kahn]], and [[Louis Pouzin]] — in recognition of their contributions to the development of the internet and the World Wide Web.<ref>{{cite web |title=Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering |url=http://qeprize.org/ |publisher=QEPrize Foundation |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In February 1996, Andreessen appeared on the cover of ''Time'' magazine, reflecting the intense media interest in the young entrepreneur who had helped bring the World Wide Web to a mainstream audience.<ref>{{cite web |title=Time Magazine Cover |url=http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,1101960219,00.html |publisher=Time Inc. |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.


''Time'' magazine also included Andreessen on its 2012 list of the 100 most influential people in the world, recognizing his impact as both a technologist and an investor.<ref>{{cite web |title=Time 100 |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>
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 ==


Marc Andreessen's career has spanned several distinct eras of the technology industry, from the emergence of the World Wide Web in the early 1990s to the venture capital boom of the 2010s and the rise of artificial intelligence in the 2020s. His creation of Mosaic and co-founding of Netscape placed him at the center of the transformation that brought the internet to hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The Netscape IPO, in particular, is frequently identified by historians and journalists as a pivotal moment in the commercialization of the internet and the emergence of Silicon Valley as a global center of technology entrepreneurship.
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 has exerted significant influence on the direction of technology investment. Andreessen Horowitz's model of providing operational support to portfolio companies, rather than capital alone, has been adopted or emulated by numerous other venture capital firms. The firm's investments have touched a wide range of sectors, from social media to enterprise software to cryptocurrency to artificial intelligence.
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 2011 essay "Why Software Is Eating the World" has endured as one of the most referenced pieces of technology commentary in the 21st century. ''Fortune'' revisited the essay in 2026, noting that its central thesis — that software would fundamentally restructure industry after industry — has continued to prove prescient, particularly in light of the rapid advancement of AI technologies and their impact on the software industry itself.<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 |date=2026-02-13 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
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" />


His shift into political engagement in the 2020s, including his advisory role to Donald Trump, has added a new dimension to his public profile and generated debate about the relationship between the technology industry and political power in the United States.
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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