Name: Marc Lowell Andreessen
Role:
Co-founder and General Partner of Andreessen Horowitz (a16z); Co-founder of Netscape, Opsware, and Ning.
Net Worth:
As of March 2025, Marc Andreessen’s net worth is estimated at $1.9 billion.
Profile Overview:
Marc Andreessen is an American entrepreneur, software engineer, and venture capitalist who has played a pivotal role in shaping the modern internet and technology landscape. He is best known for co-authoring Mosaic, the first widely used graphical web browser, and co-founding Netscape Communications, which revolutionized internet access. As a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), one of Silicon Valley’s most influential venture capital firms, Andreessen has invested in transformative companies like Facebook, Airbnb, and GitHub. His contributions to both technology and venture capital have made him one of the most prominent figures in Silicon Valley.
Bio:
Marc Andreessen was born on July 9, 1971, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and grew up in New Lisbon, Wisconsin. He developed an early interest in computers and programming while attending high school. Andreessen earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in 1993. During his time at UIUC, he worked at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), where he co-authored Mosaic, the first graphical web browser that popularized internet use.
After graduating, Andreessen joined Enterprise Integration Technologies before teaming up with Jim Clark to co-found Netscape Communications in 1994. Netscape Navigator became a dominant web browser of its time and went public in 1995, making Andreessen a tech icon. AOL later acquired Netscape for $4.3 billion in 1999.
Andreessen went on to co-found Loudcloud (later renamed Opsware), a cloud computing company that was sold to Hewlett-Packard for $1.6 billion in 2007. In 2009, he co-founded Andreessen Horowitz with Ben Horowitz. The firm has since become a major player in venture capital, managing over $42 billion in assets as of 2025.
Andreessen also co-founded Ning, a platform for creating social networks, and serves on the boards of companies like Meta (formerly Facebook) and Coinbase.
Marc Andreessen’s Role in Artificial Intelligence:
Marc Andreessen has been an advocate for artificial intelligence as a transformative technology. Through Andreessen Horowitz, he has invested heavily in AI startups and platforms that leverage machine learning to solve complex problems. His firm has backed companies focused on AI applications across industries such as healthcare, finance, and autonomous systems.
Andreessen frequently discusses the ethical implications of AI development while emphasizing its potential to enhance productivity and innovation globally. His investments reflect his belief that AI will play a central role in shaping the future of technology.
Nationality:
American
Age:
53 years old (as of March 21, 2025).
Educational Qualification:
- Bachelor’s Degree: Computer Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (1993).
Sources of Wealth:
- Andreessen Horowitz: Co-founder of one of Silicon Valley’s leading venture capital firms.
- Netscape Communications: Early success with its IPO and eventual acquisition by AOL.
- Opsware: Co-founder; sold to Hewlett-Packard for $1.6 billion.
- Ning: Co-founder of the social networking platform.
- Real Estate Investments: Includes a $177 million Malibu estate—the most expensive home sale in California history.
- Board Memberships: Serves on boards such as Meta and Coinbase.
Random Fact:
Marc Andreessen was featured on the cover of Time magazine in 1996 following Netscape’s IPO and is an inductee into the World Wide Web Hall of Fame for his contributions to internet technology.
Marc Andreessen’s career spans multiple industries where he has left an indelible mark as a pioneer of the internet era and a visionary investor driving innovation through venture capital. His work continues to shape the future of technology globally.
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