a16z GP: top AI talent hides in unknown universities; 10 great early hires spin the recruiting flywheel
astrange · x · 2026-08-21
a16z GP Angela Strange discusses how "Borderless Founders" accelerate preferential attachment through talent and customer power laws. She calls this the fiercest talent market of her career, citing a Brazilian AI insurance company whose best AI talent came not from famous universities but from an unknown one. If a company lands 10 incredibly smart people early, the 11th recruit with 100 other offers meets the team and wonders how they got people that good — kicking off a talent flywheel. Large-customer landings work similarly.
Related event: a16z Says Over 40% of Recent Investments Went to International Founders(4 posts)→
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