Alpha Fellowship by a16z speedrun — ₹16.6L Equity-Free Grant for Engineers
A two-month, in-person a16z fellowship with two paths: a full-time engineering role with salary and equity at an a16z portfolio company, or an equity-free grant to build your own venture.
- Funding amount
- ₹19L – ₹2.4Cr (fellowship)
- Funding type
- Fellowship
- Provider
- a16z (VC / Investor)
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Alpha by a16z speedrun — The Alpha Fellowship is a two-month fellowship run by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and held entirely in person. It is built for one narrow group: highly technical students and recent graduates who either want to engineer at a fast-growing company or want to start one of their own.
The fellowship splits that ambition into two tracks. On the Startup Track, fellows are placed into full-time software engineering roles at breakout companies in the a16z portfolio, with a salary and equity attached to the job. On the Founder Track, selected individuals receive upfront, equity-free capital so they can work on their own venture full time instead of taking a job.
Both tracks share the same immersive format and the same community. Fellows spend the programme embedded in the wider a16z speedrun and EO Ventures networks, with curated networking, founder AMAs, and mentorship from experienced engineers, operators and investors, including partners from Andreessen Horowitz.
Entry is deliberately tight. Alpha is open to software engineers only, applicants must be within three years of graduation, and valid US work authorisation is required. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed for early consideration for Cohort 2, which opens in September 2026.
Highlights
- Founder Track offers up to ₹2.07 crore (US$250K) in investment, starting with a ₹16.6 lakh (US$20K) equity-free grant
- Startup Track places fellows into full-time engineering roles with salary and equity at a16z portfolio companies
- Two-month, in-person fellowship with mentorship from a16z partners and access to the a16z speedrun and EO Ventures communities
- Priority consideration for a16z speedrun's up to ₹8.3 crore (US$1M) investment
- Restricted to software engineers within three years of graduation who hold valid US work authorisation
- Applications are rolling; cohorts are estimated at up to 10 fellows per track
Who can apply
Alpha is aimed at people starting out, not at established operators. To be considered you need to fit all of the following:
- Highly technical students or recent graduates — you should be within three years of finishing school.
- A strong software engineering background. This is the core requirement of the programme.
- Valid US work authorisation to work full time in the United States.
- Full-time availability. Startup Track candidates must be ready to leave school and take a full-time role if matched, and Founder Track fellows are expected to work on their idea full time for the duration.
- A track record of building and real curiosity — that combination is what the review team looks for.
- Willingness to be on site. The fellowship is in person, so accepted fellows relocate to be near the a16z office while the programme runs.
Alpha recruits software engineers exclusively. Other technical disciplines are not being hired for at this time.
Alpha Fellowship by a16z speedrun — ₹16.6L Equity-Free Grant for Engineers is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
Alpha Fellowship by a16z speedrun — ₹16.6L Equity-Free Grant for Engineers accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.
What the funding covers
Founder Track fellows start with an initial US$20,000 grant — roughly ₹16.6 lakh — and it is equity-free, so the first cheque does not cost you a stake in what you build.
There is more capital behind that opening amount: the programme states potential for up to US$250,000 (about ₹2.07 crore) in further investment. Founder Track fellows also get priority consideration for the flagship a16z speedrun, which offers as much as US$1 million (around ₹8.3 crore) in investment. Continuing to work full time on your venture after the fellowship is what keeps you in the running for that additional funding.
The Startup Track pays off differently. Instead of a grant, you land a full-time software engineering role at an a16z portfolio company, with salary and equity in that company.
Whichever track you take, the fellowship itself includes:
- Around two months of structured, in-person programming
- Mentorship from a16z partners, experienced engineers, operators and investors
- Curated dinners, small-group conversations and founder AMAs
- Membership of the a16z speedrun and EO Ventures communities
- An immersive kickoff retreat to open and a capstone event to close
About the provider
Alpha Fellowship by a16z speedrun — ₹16.6L Equity-Free Grant for Engineers is offered by a16z. It is delivered directly by a16z as a fellowship. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Applications are taken on a rolling basis, and the review team gives early consideration to candidates for Cohort 2. Every submission is assessed for technical depth and for evidence that you have actually built things.
Shortlisted applicants then go through a technical assessment and live interviews. After that, the two tracks diverge:
- Startup Track: candidates who clear evaluation are introduced to the participating portfolio companies. Both the candidate and the companies rank their preferences, matches are made on mutual fit, and the candidate then decides whether to accept the employment offer.
- Founder Track: accepted founders receive their initial grant and begin working on their venture full time.
Cohort numbers are not fixed, though the team estimates up to 10 fellows per track. You are free to apply to both tracks, and the team will help work out which path suits you.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Alpha Fellowship by a16z speedrun — ₹16.6L Equity-Free Grant for Engineers, keep the following documents ready:
- A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
- Company registration documents and PAN
- Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
- Recent financial statements or projections
- Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available
Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.
Who this is best for
Alpha Fellowship by a16z speedrun — ₹16.6L Equity-Free Grant for Engineers is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹19L – ₹2.4Cr. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does the Alpha Fellowship provide?
On the Founder Track you begin with a US$20,000 grant, about ₹16.6 lakh, and the programme states potential for up to US$250,000 (roughly ₹2.07 crore) in further investment. Founder Track fellows also get priority consideration for the flagship a16z speedrun, which offers up to US$1 million (around ₹8.3 crore) in investment. The Startup Track does not provide capital at all — it places you in a full-time engineering job at an a16z portfolio company, where you earn a salary and hold equity in the company that hires you.
Does the Alpha Fellowship take equity in my company?
The opening US$20,000 grant is explicitly equity-free, so that first cheque does not involve giving up a stake. On the Startup Track the arrangement is not funding in the usual sense — you take a salaried engineering role with equity in the company that employs you, and the equity is part of your compensation rather than a fee for the programme. The programme's published information does not spell out the terms attached to any investment beyond the initial grant, so clarify those directly before you commit.
Who is eligible to apply for the Alpha Fellowship?
You need to be a highly technical student or a recent graduate, within three years of finishing school, with a strong software engineering background and a genuine track record of building. Valid authorisation to work full time in the United States is mandatory, and you must be able to commit full time: Startup Track candidates have to be ready to leave school and take a job if they are matched, while Founder Track fellows are expected to work on their venture full time throughout the fellowship. The programme is also held in person, so you will need to relocate near the a16z office for its duration.
Do I need US work authorisation to apply?
Yes. Valid authorisation to work full time in the United States is a hard requirement. Without it you cannot take part, because the Startup Track leads to full-time employment at a US portfolio company and the Founder Track is a full-time, in-person commitment.
Is Alpha only for software engineers?
Yes. Alpha is exclusively for software engineers. Startup Track fellows are placed into full-time software engineering roles at portfolio companies, and Founder Track participants must also be technical builders with a software background. Other technical disciplines are not being recruited at this time. One thing worth knowing if you take the placement path: you are employed directly by the portfolio company that hires you, not by a16z.
What is the application deadline?
There is no fixed deadline — applications are rolling and always open. Submissions are reviewed for early consideration for Cohort 2, which opens in September 2026, so the earlier you apply within that window, the earlier your application is considered.
Is the fellowship in person?
Yes, the fellowship is in person. If you are accepted, you will need to relocate to be near the a16z office for the duration of the programme, which opens with an immersive kickoff retreat in early June, continues through weekly fellowship programming alongside day-to-day work, and closes with a capstone event in mid-August.
Can I apply to both the Startup Track and the Founder Track?
Yes. You are welcome to apply to both tracks, and the team will help determine which path is the right fit for you.
Can I apply to the Founder Track with a team?
You apply as an individual. If you are building with other people, each member of your team should apply separately and note in their application who they are building with — the review team takes that context into account when assessing your application.
How many fellows are admitted, and how do I apply?
There is no set number, but the team estimates up to 10 fellows per track. To apply, submit the online application for early consideration for Cohort 2. Shortlisted candidates then complete a technical assessment and live interviews; Startup Track candidates are introduced to participating portfolio companies, both sides rank their preferences, matches are made on mutual fit, and the candidate decides whether to accept the offer. Founder Track candidates receive their initial grant once accepted.
Is DPIIT recognition required for Alpha Fellowship by a16z speedrun — ₹16.6L Equity-Free Grant for Engineers?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Alpha Fellowship by a16z speedrun — ₹16.6L Equity-Free Grant for Engineers, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Who offers Alpha Fellowship by a16z speedrun — ₹16.6L Equity-Free Grant for Engineers?
Alpha Fellowship by a16z speedrun — ₹16.6L Equity-Free Grant for Engineers is offered by a16z. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
More funding from a16z
a16z runs another program listed on startupfunds — compare them before you decide where to apply.
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