Cultural Leadership Fund

🔭CLF is often asked by founders how exactly cultural leaders can be a game-changing asset for their companies. On the flip side, athletes, entertainers, and C-level executives also ask what they should expect when investing in tech startups and working with founders looking to build the next big thing. We’ve seen firsthand that these partnerships can produce new ideas, new opportunities, and new shifts in culture faster than operating in silos. Dig into some of the most important must-knows and to-dos for building together! 🔗/influence-meets-innovation-how-founders-and-cultural-leaders-can-work-together/

Founded in 2018, the Cultural Leadership Fund's dual mission is to: 1) Connect the world’s greatest cultural leaders with innovative new technology companies, and 2) Engage and advance more African Americans into the technology industry.

Check out a16z.com/CLF for more info about CLF and our work. And stay tuned in right here for all the latest updates and get to know our team!

New tools are reshaping storytelling. The Epigraph was built so creators lead that shift, not the other way around. Introducing The Epigraph, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between @a16zclf x @staymacro designed to support emerging storytellers integrating new tools into their creative process. Swipe to meet the seven fellows and learn more at the link in bio.

Meet the team, childhood edition. ✨ A look back at the early days of the people behind CLF! Bringing the same energy since the beginning.

The conversation has started. 🎬 Masters vs Machine | The Salon Oscar week brought together Oscar nominees, winners, and leading voices across film, entertainment, AI, creativity, and authorship for a closed-door conversation that needed to happen. A working conversation on authorship, ownership, and what creative control looks like in an AI-driven future. Co-hosted with @the.culture.ai In collaboration with @a16zclf More to come. @mastersvsmachine #AIinfilm #Aiandcreativity #oscars #Mastersvsmachine #Aiandtheculture

Proud to support BIG Fest and the Black in Gaming Awards at GDC 2026, an important gathering expanding access, visibility, and opportunity across the gaming ecosystem. In partnership with @bcgausa , @urbanartsorg , @gameheadsoakland , and the broader @blackingaming community, the day brought together emerging talent, indie developers, and industry leaders around connection, creativity, and recognition. A highlight was CLF’s very own @judene.small moderating the Welcome To Her World panel, hosted by @bcgausa as part of the Women Got Game Summit, featuring @samirabehrouzan . CLF was also proud to be represented on stage during the evening awards. With 777+ attendees and a growing network of partners across gaming and tech, BIG Fest continues to be a platform for the next generation of builders shaping the future of the industry.

We’re launching The Epigraph. A small, curated fellowship from @a16zclf and @staymacro for storytellers building bold, culturally grounded work and exploring what new tools can unlock. This program is designed for filmmakers past the first film and before the breakthrough. If that sounds like you or someone you know, apply or nominate. Nominations are open until April 1 via the link in bio.

CLF was outside all February 🔥 From NBA All-Star Weekend to Super Bowl LX to the Grammys, we showed up at the intersection of culture and innovation in sports and entertainment. Some key moments that stood out: 🏀 NBA All-Star Weekend Connecting with our founders at Kalshi, spending time with LPs across cultural moments like MarcyPen, @boardroom , The Supper Club and Spades Tournament events, and tapping into the energy at the NBA Tech Summit. Basketball, tech, and culture all moving at once in LA. 🏈 Super Bowl LX Partnering with @playerscoalition to produce Radio Row with our cultural leaders and Speedrun founder @ivantchatchouwo (@itsthezone ), alongside @ivorydagr8 of @gamerxsociety . A special moment with @missionbit where a student won a pitch challenge, received new Microsoft Copilot laptops, and later won a Super Bowl ticket. Let’s go Daniel! Living the dream. 🗽 Madison Square Garden Co-hosting with Madison Square Garden and our a16z GTM team, bringing together leaders and founders from @flocksafety , Doppel, @getcaptionsapp , and @decagon.ai . 🎶 Grammys Weekend Celebrating our cultural leaders on stage and co-hosting The Exchange with @shanechubbz , an intimate dinner bringing together leaders in entertainment and technology around culture and AI. Grateful to build alongside our LPs, founders, and community wherever culture shows up.

At Firsts & Futures, we spent the evening reflecting on what it really means to be “first”. 💫 Ed Dwight and Dr. Bernard Harris Jr. shared inspiring moments that changed the course of their lives and the responsibility that came with stepping into something bigger than themselves. From space exploration to art and legacy, including the story behind Ed’s sculpture “Hands That Picked Cotton, Now Cast Their Ballots”, the conversation was both personal and expansive. Grateful for the chance to host two leaders whose historic firsts reshaped what was possible, and whose work continues to influence culture, innovation, and opportunity.

The Eleven Album is out! Amazing to see artists embracing AI as a tool in their creative toolkit. Proud to help bring this group of creators together to explore what’s possible when artistry meets new technology. @iamsu @mr_lerios @sunsetto @kingwillonius @emilykfalvey @chrislyons Huge congrats to the @elevenlabsio team for building an artist-first platform where creators maintain full authorship, ownership, and royalties while expanding their creative range. Stream it now on Spotify!

2025 brought the energy ⚡️ So grateful to the CLF community for building alongside us. And a special thank you to our founders and LPs for allowing us to be a part of your year. Big things ahead in 2026!