Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), the Silicon Valley-based venture capital giant, has announced the closure of its London office.
According to a Financial Times report dated 24 January 2025, the decision comes just two years after the firm made a high-profile entry into the UK market.
Andreessen Horowitz opened its London office in 2023, marking its first move outside the US. However, less than two years later, Andreessen Horowitz is pulling back.
https://twitter.com/AAlbaneseNY/status/1882819560585281883
“We Have Chosen To Focus On The US Given The New Administration’s Strong Policy Momentum”
At the time, then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak lauded the move, calling it a “testament to our world-class universities and talent and our strong competitive business environment.”
The firm had invested in several UK-based crypto projects, including Arweave, Aztec, and Improbable, emphasizing London’s status as a major financial and technological hub.
Anthony Albanese, chief operating office at a16z, wrote on X, “We’re excited by the enthusiasm for crypto building and adoption in the UK and are encouraged by the recent positive policy announcements and actions. However, we have chosen to focus on the US given the new administration’s strong policy momentum and will therefore be closing our UK office.”
“This doesn’t change our confidence in the UK’s growing role in crypto and blockchain. We will continue to invest in great entrepreneurs no matter where they are in the world, including the UK. We also remain ready to help the UK with its ongoing crypto efforts,” added Albanese.
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Moreover, political shifts within the UK have added complexity. One UK official downplayed Andreessen Horowitz’s retreat, stating that “they were never really here,” highlighting skepticism about the firm’s long-term commitment to its London operations.
Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, co-founders of the firm, have emerged as vocal supporters of Trump, advising him on technology policy. The firm manages $43 billion in committed capital and has been one of the most active investors in blockchain and digital assets globally.
Albanese emphasized that the firm remains committed to investing in innovative entrepreneurs worldwide, including those based in the UK. However, its operational focus will now pivot back to its home market.
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