Think a16z is retreating from Europe? Think again.

While headlines screamed about Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) shutting down its London crypto office, the VC titan has been quietly building a secret army of scouts across Europe. These scouts are the eyes and ears of a16z, hunting down the next big thing in tech before anyone else even knows it exists.

Who are these scouts?

According to Sifted, a16z has dozens of scouts spread across Europe, from Sweden to France, Germany to Estonia, and even Amsterdam. These aren’t just random folks—they’re embedded in some of the hottest companies in the region. For example:

• Poolside: A rising star in the AI space.
• 11x: A startup that just landed a $50 million Series B round led by—you guessed it—a16z.

“These scouts are the unsung heroes of venture capital, uncovering diamonds in the rough before they hit the mainstream.”

Sifted

What do they do?

These scouts are no amateurs. They’re seasoned professionals like Pippa Lamb, a partner at Sweet Capital, and Guillaume Roux-Romestaing, who leads partnerships at 11x. They’re authorized to write checks ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 and can close up to eight deals a year. But don’t think it’s a free-for-all—there are rules. For instance, they’re barred from investing directly in NFTs, a move that shows a16z’s strategic focus on long-term value over hype.

Why this matters

This isn’t just about finding startups—it’s about dominating the early-stage game. By planting scouts in key European markets, a16z is building a pipeline of innovation that could shape the future of tech. And while they’ve stayed tight-lipped about the full scope of their operations, one thing is clear: a16z isn’t just playing the game—they’re rewriting the rules.

The big question

What does this mean for the European startup ecosystem? With a16z’s scouts on the ground, the competition for early-stage deals is about to get fierce. Founders, investors, and rival VCs need to step up their game—or risk being left behind.

“In the world of venture capital, the early bird doesn’t just get the worm—it gets the whole ecosystem.”

Tech Insider

Final thoughts

While a16z’s London crypto office may be closed, their presence in Europe is anything but diminished. With a network of scouts scouring the continent for the next big thing, a16z is proving that they’re not just in the game—they’re here to win it.