Accel is a global venture capital firm that invests in early- and growth-stage technology startups across sectors including cybersecurity, AI, and enterprise software.
Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) is a Menlo Park venture capital firm investing across software, fintech, crypto, biotech, and AI, with over $100B in assets under management.
The Verdict: Accel vs Andreessen Horowitz
Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) is far larger. It reports over $100 billion under management as of April 30, 2026, and raised over $15 billion in January 2026. Accel, founded in 1983, does not publish a firm-wide AUM; its latest announcement was $5 billion of late-stage capital in April 2026. Both lead AI and software rounds. The real difference is the model: a16z runs sector funds, Accel runs one partnership across stages.
Founders weighing term sheets are choosing between a platform with dedicated funds for areas like American Dynamism and Bio + Health, and a partnership that says it has backed more than 800 companies and keeps funding its winners as they scale.
Where they compete
Late-stage AI and software rounds. Accel says its $5 billion late-stage pool exists to keep backing companies it found early, and it names Atlassian, CrowdStrike, Flipkart and Slack as examples. It co-led Cursor's $2.3 billion Series D in November 2025. a16z's $6.75 billion Growth fund, part of its January 2026 raise, targets the same stage. Earlier in a company's life, both back developer tools and AI infrastructure; Accel lists Vercel, Lovable and Cyera among its current companies.
Where they differ
Size and structure. a16z splits its 2026 capital into named funds: American Dynamism ($1.176 billion), Apps ($1.7 billion), Bio + Health ($700 million), Infrastructure ($1.7 billion), Growth ($6.75 billion) and $3 billion for other venture strategies. It says it raised over 18% of all venture capital dollars allocated in the United States in 2025. Accel gave one late-stage figure and no breakdown. a16z's Growth fund alone is larger than Accel's entire disclosed 2026 late-stage pool.
Geography. Accel raises regional early-stage funds. In May 2024 it raised $650 million for early-stage companies in Europe and Israel, focused on AI and cybersecurity, per Reuters. a16z's disclosed 2026 funds are organized by sector, not by region.
Track record and age. Accel's best-known early bet was Facebook: $12.7 million for about 10% of the company in 2005, per CNBC. Jim Swartz and Arthur Patterson founded Accel in 1983. Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz founded a16z in 2009, 26 years later.
Who should pick which
Pick Accel if you want one partnership that can lead early and keep investing later, especially if you are building in Europe or Israel, where it runs a dedicated early-stage fund.
Pick a16z if you want a sector team with its own fund and the platform around it. a16z describes in-house platform teams covering marketing, talent, legal and policy. It also suits companies that expect to need very large growth checks.
What changed in 2026
Both firms raised in the first half of 2026, for different jobs. a16z announced over $15 billion on January 9, spread across six strategies, with Growth the largest at $6.75 billion. Accel announced $5 billion of late-stage capital on April 14 as a single figure. For a seed or Series A founder, the headline totals matter less than which fund would actually write the check: one of a16z's sector funds, or one of Accel's regional early-stage funds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Accel bigger than Andreessen Horowitz?
No. Andreessen Horowitz reports over $100 billion under management as of April 30, 2026. Accel does not publish a firm-wide figure. Its largest recent disclosed pool is $5 billion of late-stage capital, announced April 14, 2026.
How much did a16z raise in 2026?
Over $15 billion, announced January 9, 2026: Growth $6.75 billion, Apps $1.7 billion, Infrastructure $1.7 billion, American Dynamism $1.176 billion, Bio + Health $700 million, and $3 billion for other venture strategies.
What is Accel's newest fund?
In April 2026 Accel announced $5 billion of late-stage capital to keep backing founders as their companies scale. It did not publish a breakdown by vehicle or a firm-wide AUM.
Which firm is older, Accel or a16z?
Accel. Jim Swartz and Arthur Patterson founded it in 1983. Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz founded Andreessen Horowitz in 2009.
Did Accel invest in Cursor?
Yes. Accel co-led Cursor's $2.3 billion Series D, announced November 13, 2025.
Sources
- a16z: About (AUM as of Apr 30, 2026)
- a16z: Why did we raise $15B? (Ben Horowitz, Jan 9, 2026)
- Accel: Our latest fund, early insight and enduring partnership (Apr 14, 2026)
- Accel: Our Series D in Cursor (Nov 13, 2025)
- Carnegie Mellon Swartz Center: Jim Swartz (co-founded Accel in 1983)
- Wikipedia: Accel (citing Reuters, May 13, 2024, on the Europe and Israel fund; CNBC, May 22, 2012, on Facebook)
Data from Value Add Pulse coverage and company research — see the full threads for Accel and Andreessen Horowitz.