Alpha Fellowship by a16z speedrun — ₹16.6L Equity-Free Grant for Engineers — Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yes. You are welcome to apply to both tracks, and the team will help determine which path is the right fit for you.

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.

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.

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.

Alpha Fellowship by a16z speedrun — ₹16.6L Equity-Free Grant for Engineers is offered by a16z. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.