From Crypto Fund to Fund 5

Andreessen Horowitz announces the renaming of a16z Crypto to a16z Frontier, expanding the scope of its new fund beyond crypto startups.

The Frontier Thesis

Managing partner Chris Dixon reveals the firm’s focus on frontier startups, defined as companies working on technologies and markets that could take years to develop.

Devices, Networks, and Blockchains

Discover how AI, new devices, networks, and blockchains are shaping the future of technology according to Andreessen Horowitz’s latest moves.

1. Why did Andreessen Horowitz rename its crypto fund?

   • The firm renamed its crypto fund from a16z Crypto to simply a16z to reflect its expanded focus beyond just cryptocurrency investments.

2. What does the expansion of the fund entail?

   • The expansion of the fund will allow a16z to invest in a wider range of blockchain and crypto-related projects, including decentralized finance (DeFi), Web3, and other emerging technologies.

3. Will a16z still be investing in cryptocurrency projects?

   • Yes, a16z will continue to invest in cryptocurrency projects, but the fund’s new focus will also include other innovative technologies within the blockchain space.

4. How will the rebranding of the fund impact existing portfolio companies?

   • Existing portfolio companies will benefit from a16z’s expanded focus and resources, as the fund will be able to provide more support and investment opportunities in a broader range of technologies.
5. Will a16z continue to be a leader in the blockchain and crypto investment space?
   • With its expanded focus and rebranding, a16z is poised to remain a prominent player in the blockchain and crypto investment space, as well as continue to drive innovation and growth in the industry.

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LLC Structure Offers Flexibility for Philanthropic Giving

Equity Pledges and Mission-Driven Initiatives at Anthropic

Economic Futures Research Fund to Address AI Impact on Labor Market

Future Plans for Anthropic Benefit Fund and Governance

On October 18, 2026, Anthropic announced its commitment to allocating a portion of its shares to the Anthropic Public Benefit Fund, a move aimed at aligning its growth with benefits for the public good. This innovative approach involves dedicating 5% of Anthropic’s shares to the fund, with the potential for further contributions based on the company’s increasing value.

By structuring the fund in this way, Anthropic aims to increase the portion of the company’s equity dedicated to supporting the public good as it grows. This strategy stands in contrast to traditional compensation practices in the tech industry, where escalating rewards for executives are common.

LLC Structure Offers Flexibility for Philanthropic Giving

Anthropic has chosen to establish the Anthropic Public Benefit Fund as a wholly-owned LLC, providing flexibility in the forms of giving the company can pursue. The fund’s structure ensures that no equity held by the LLC will be used for lobbying or political purposes, both domestically and internationally.

This approach allows Anthropic to explore new avenues for fulfilling its mission, such as making significant donations to nonprofits or directly supporting specific populations in need.

Equity Pledges and Mission-Driven Initiatives at Anthropic

As a public benefit corporation, Anthropic’s mission-driven work is primarily conducted within the company. This includes research in AI safety, applied biomedical research, and providing discounted access to Claude for nonprofits and scientific institutions. These activities offer a combination of public benefit and for-profit value, underscoring their importance to the company.

In addition to the company’s equity commitments, co-founders pledged to donate 80% of their holdings at the company’s inception. Anthropic also operates an equity donation match program for employees, with approximately half of the workforce participating. With the new commitment to dedicate shares to the public good, a significant portion of Anthropic’s equity will support beneficial initiatives.

Economic Futures Research Fund to Address AI Impact on Labor Market

Recognizing the potential labor market impacts of AI advancements, Anthropic has committed $200 million to studying and addressing these issues. The creation of the Anthropic Economic Futures Research Fund aims to support research on interventions that can prepare society for the economic changes brought about by AI.

The fund will focus on shaping AI’s impact on workers, equipping individuals for transitions driven by AI, modernizing income support, building worker stakes in AI-driven growth, and generating evidence on public investments. Projects supported by the fund will range from $5 million to $30 million, with a focus on high-impact initiatives.

Future Plans for Anthropic Benefit Fund and Governance

Anthropic intends to provide further details on the structure and governance of the benefit fund in the coming months, including the valuation milestones that may trigger additional contributions. The company also plans to release a public benefit report outlining its progress toward its mission objectives.

1. What is Anthropic’s new public benefit fund?

Anthropic has committed to donating 5% of its shares to a new public benefit fund, which will support charitable causes and projects that align with Anthropic’s mission of advancing artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity.

1. How will the public benefit fund be managed and distributed?

The public benefit fund will be overseen by a board of directors, who will make decisions on how to allocate funds to various charitable initiatives. Anthropic will work closely with the board to ensure that the fund is used effectively to support projects that have a positive impact on society.

1. What types of charitable causes will the public benefit fund support?

The public benefit fund will support a range of charitable causes that align with Anthropic’s mission, including projects focused on advancing AI research, education, and ethical governance. The fund will also support initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in the field of artificial intelligence.

1. How will Anthropic’s commitment to donating 5% of its shares benefit society?

By committing to donate 5% of its shares to a public benefit fund, Anthropic is demonstrating its commitment to using its resources to make a positive impact on society. The fund will support charitable causes that have the potential to drive meaningful change and improve the lives of people around the world.

1. How can individuals and organizations get involved with Anthropic’s public benefit fund?

Individuals and organizations can get involved with Anthropic’s public benefit fund by making donations, volunteering their time and expertise, or partnering with the fund to support specific projects. By working together, we can harness the power of artificial intelligence to create a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

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  <h2>Nexus Venture Partners Sets a Balanced Course with New $700 Million Fund</h2>

  <p id="speakable-summary" class="wp-block-paragraph">While many venture capital firms are fixated on AI investments, <a target="_blank" href="https://nexusvp.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Nexus Venture Partners</a> is strategically diversifying its portfolio with a new $700 million fund.</p>

  <h3>Diverse Investment Strategy: AI and Beyond</h3>
  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The firm plans to not only support AI startups but also focus on India-centric ventures in consumer, fintech, and digital infrastructure sectors.</p>

  <h3>The AI Investment Landscape</h3>
  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">AI has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-03/ai-is-dominating-2025-vc-investing-pulling-in-192-7-billion" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">captured a significant portion of global venture capital</a>, and Nexus recognizes it as a pivotal technological shift. However, the firm warns that concentrating on a single, over-hyped category poses inherent risks. Instead, India’s digital economy offers a counterbalance, characterized by rising AI adoption and diverse opportunities.</p>

  <h3>Roots in Cross-Border Innovation</h3>
  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Nexus, headquartered in Delaware with offices in Menlo Park, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, has been a unified fund with a cohesive U.S.–India team since its inception in 2006. The firm invests in early-stage software and India-focused startups from the same capital pool.</p>

  <h3>Expanding Portfolio and Successful Exits</h3>
  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Over the years, Nexus's cross-border software investments have encompassed a wide range—from infrastructure tools to AI startups. Notable U.S. portfolio companies include Postman, Apollo, MinIO, Giga, and Firecrawl, all of which have seen substantial adoption in developer tooling and AI infrastructure.</p>

  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">In India, their portfolio spans various sectors including consumer goods, fintech, logistics, and digital infrastructure, with prominent investments such as Zepto, Delhivery, Rapido, Turtlemint, and Infra.Market.</p>

  <h3>AI: A Key Inflection Point</h3>
  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">“AI represents a significant inflection point, and we are anchored to that,” said Jishnu Bhattacharjee, a managing partner at Nexus in the U.S. “However, we are noticing that many AI innovations are designed to enhance services for the masses.”</p>

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  <h3>Commitment to Early-Stage Investments</h3>
  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Nexus manages $3.2 billion in total capital and has invested in over 130 companies, achieving more than 30 successful exits, including several IPOs, which highlight its long-term, early-stage investment approach.</p>

  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Managing partner Abhishek Sharma stated to TechCrunch that the firm primarily focuses on inception to seed and Series A rounds, initiating investments with checks ranging from a few hundred thousand to around $1 million.</p>

  <h3>Maintaining Fund Size for Strategic Growth</h3>
  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">With an eight-member investment team, Nexus began with a $100 million fund and has maintained a fund size of $700 million since <a target="_blank" href="https://m.economictimes.com/tech/funding/nexus-venture-partners-closes-its-largest-ever-fund-at-700-million/articleshow/98329133.cms" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">launching Fund VII in 2023</a>. The firm typically raises funds every 2.5 to 3 years. Bhattacharjee emphasized that maintaining the current fund size reflects their belief in its suitability for their early-stage investment strategy.</p>

  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Our goal is not to raise capital for the sake of it,” he noted.</p>

  <h3>India’s Promising AI Landscape</h3>
  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Although India's AI development may <a target="_blank" href="https://techcrunch.com/2024/06/30/here-are-indias-biggest-ai-startups-based-on-how-much-money-theyve-raised/" rel="noreferrer noopener">lag behind the U.S.</a> in some areas, Nexus sees potential for the country to leap ahead in various aspects of the AI ecosystem. </p>

  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Bhattacharjee highlighted India’s vast talent pool, increasing digital infrastructure, and the necessity for localized models to cater to the country's multiple languages and service needs. These factors are driving Indian startups to develop AI applications more rapidly, often utilizing open-source technology and emerging domestic AI infrastructure companies.</p>

  <h3>Showcasing Success: AI Innovations in India</h3>
  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The partners at Nexus cited companies like Zepto and Neysa to exemplify the evolution of AI in India. Zepto, a quick-commerce platform, leverages AI extensively across its operations—from customer service to routing and fulfillment—highlighting how consumer businesses are becoming increasingly AI-integrated. Additionally, infrastructure firms like Neysa are emerging to address unique Indian requirements, such as sovereign AI workloads and localized data processing.</p>

  <p class="wp-block-paragraph">While Nexus didn't disclose specific fund metrics, partners affirmed that their funds have generated significant returns over the years, allowing them to sustain the current fund through returning limited partners. Their investor base spans the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Japan.</p>
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Here are five frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding Nexus’s decision to hold half of its new $700 million fund for India startups while not fully committing to AI:

FAQs

1. Why is Nexus not committing fully to AI with its new fund?

Nexus believes in a balanced approach to investment. While AI presents significant opportunities, the firm recognizes the need for diverse innovations across various sectors, particularly in the dynamic Indian startup ecosystem.

2. How much of the $700 million fund is allocated for India startups?

Nexus has allocated half of its new $700 million fund, which means approximately $350 million will specifically target startups in India. This reflects the firm’s confidence in the potential of Indian entrepreneurship.

3. What types of startups is Nexus looking to fund in India?

Nexus aims to invest in a range of sectors, including fintech, health tech, e-commerce, and more, while still considering AI-driven solutions. The focus is on startups that demonstrate strong growth potential and innovative business models.

4. What are the potential benefits of focusing on India startups for Nexus?

Investing in Indian startups allows Nexus to tap into a rapidly growing market with a vibrant tech ecosystem. India’s diverse demographic and increasing digital adoption create significant opportunities for innovation and scalability.

5. How does Nexus’s strategy compare to other investment firms focusing on AI?

While many firms are prioritizing AI, Nexus’s strategy of maintaining a balanced portfolio reflects its understanding of market dynamics. This approach allows them to mitigate risk and capitalize on various emerging trends beyond AI, ensuring a more sustainable investment strategy.

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