Marc Andreessen

Background

Marc Andreessen was born in 1971 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a bachelor's degree in computer science in 1993. His early career began while he was still a student, working at the university's National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). It was there that he co-created the Mosaic web browser, which was released in 1993.

Major contributions

Andreessen's primary contributions are centered on the commercialization and development of the internet. After graduating, he moved to California and co-founded Netscape Communications Corporation in 1994. The company's flagship product, the Netscape Navigator browser, became the dominant web browser of the mid-1990s. Following Netscape's acquisition by AOL, Andreessen co-founded Loudcloud in 1999, which later transformed into the software company Opsware. Opsware was sold to Hewlett-Packard in 2007. In 2009, he co-founded the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (also known as a16z) with Ben Horowitz. The firm is a major investor in technology companies. Andreessen is also known for his 2011 essay, "Why Software Is Eating the World," which articulates the theory of software's pervasive and disruptive impact across all industries.

Impact on their field

The Mosaic browser is widely credited with popularizing the World Wide Web by introducing a graphical user interface that made the internet accessible to non-technical users. Netscape's success catalyzed the commercial growth of the internet and the dot-com boom of the 1990s. As a co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz, he has had a significant impact on the venture capital landscape, providing early funding and support to numerous influential technology startups, shaping the direction of modern technology sectors including social media, cryptocurrency, and biotechnology.

Current work/relevance

Marc Andreessen remains a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz. The firm continues to be a highly active and influential investor across multiple technology domains. His current focus areas include investments in and advocacy for artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and blockchain technologies. He is also a member of the board of directors for several companies, including Meta (formerly Facebook). Andreessen remains a prominent figure and thought leader in the technology industry, frequently commenting on technological trends and economic policy.

Who is Marc Andreessen?

Marc Andreessen is an American entrepreneur, investor, and software engineer who helped bring the internet to the masses. Born in 1971 in Iowa, he developed an early interest in computing. While studying at the University of Illinois, he co-created Mosaic, the first widely used web browser with a graphical interface, making the internet accessible and visual for everyday people.

Why He Matters

Andreessen’s impact on technology is profound. After Mosaic, he co-founded Netscape, which launched the Netscape Navigator browser and ignited the commercial internet boom of the 1990s. Later, he became a highly influential venture capitalist. He co-founded Andreessen Horowitz (also known as a16z), a firm that has invested in some of the most successful tech companies of the 21st century, shaping the landscape of modern innovation.

What He’s Known For

Marc Andreessen is best known as the co-creator of the pioneering web browser that popularized the internet. His name is also synonymous with visionary tech investing and bold predictions about the future of technology. He is a prominent voice online, often sharing his perspectives on how software and the internet will continue to transform industries and society.

Key Achievements

Co-created the Mosaic web browser

Co-founded Netscape Communications Corporation

Co-founded the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)

Early investor in companies like Facebook, Twitter, Airbnb, and GitHub