Nile Kenya

Scott Kupor is a managing partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), where he has been instrumental in scaling the venture capital firm from its inception in 2009 into a global powerhouse with over $40 billion in assets under management (AUM) . As the firm’s first employee, he oversaw its expansion from three employees to over 150 and played a pivotal role in shaping its multi-stage investment strategy, which spans seed to late-stage companies across industries like bio, healthcare, and technology.

Prior to joining a16z, Kupor held executive roles at Hewlett Packard (HP) as vice president and general manager of Software-as-a-Service, following HP’s acquisition of Opsware, where he led global operations, corporate development, and the company’s IPO in 2001. Earlier in his career, he advised software companies on mergers, acquisitions, and financings at Credit Suisse First Boston and Lehman Brothers.

Kupor is the author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Secrets of Sand Hill Road: Venture Capital and How to Get It, a definitive guide demystifying VC decision-making for entrepreneurs. The book emphasizes practical insights, such as the importance of storytelling in fundraising and navigating complex scenarios like down rounds, cementing Kupor’s reputation as a thought leader in venture capital.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford University, he holds both a bachelor’s degree in public policy and a law degree with distinction from Stanford. Beyond his work at a16z, Kupor serves on the boards of companies like Cedar, Formation Bio, Foursquare, and Tanium, and he previously chaired the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) from 2017–2018. He also contributes to academia as a lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business and co-director of programs like the Stanford Venture Capital Director’s College.

Kupor’s influence extends to public policy, where he has testified before regulatory bodies like the SEC and U.S. Senate on issues ranging from crypto regulation to fostering innovation in venture capital. His advocacy for founder-friendly practices and long-term thinking continues to shape the entrepreneurial ecosystem, making him a central figure in modern venture capital.