Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), one of Silicon Valley’s most influential venture capital firms, has emerged as a standout player in Washington D.C. lobbying this year, disclosing $1.49 million in spending on policy advocacy through the first half of 2025—far outpacing most rival VC firms, which have largely avoided significant lobbying investments. The figures, filed in recent federal disclosures, highlight a16z’s aggressive push to shape U.S. regulations across high-stakes tech sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), crypto, and antitrust—while peers like Sequoia Capital and Kleiner Perkins have reported minimal to no lobbying activity during the same period.

a16z’s Lobbying Priorities: AI, Crypto, and Antitrust

The $1.49 million spend, which covers lobbying efforts from January to June 2025, targets three key policy areas that directly impact a16z’s portfolio of startups:

• AI Regulation: a16z has advocated for “balanced” AI governance—pushing back against overly restrictive rules that could slow innovation while supporting measures like transparency requirements for high-risk AI models. The firm has met with lawmakers on bills like the National AI Strategy Act, which aims to set federal standards for AI safety, and has argued that excessive regulation could put U.S. startups at a disadvantage to global competitors like China.
• Crypto and Web3: After years of regulatory uncertainty for the crypto industry, a16z has lobbied for clear classification of digital assets (e.g., distinguishing between cryptocurrencies and securities) and the passage of the Digital Asset Market Structure Act, which would establish a regulatory framework for crypto trading. This aligns with the firm’s heavy investments in Web3 startups, including Coinbase and Uniswap.
• Antitrust Reform: a16z has weighed in on ongoing antitrust debates, opposing efforts to break up large tech companies like Amazon and Google. The firm argues that such measures could harm the startup ecosystem—since many a16z-backed startups rely on partnerships with big tech platforms for distribution and infrastructure.

In a statement to TechCrunch, a16z’s Head of Policy, Katherine Haenschen, framed the lobbying spend as a “fiduciary duty” to the firm’s portfolio. “Startups don’t have the resources to advocate for themselves in Washington, but the policies made there can make or break their businesses,” Haenschen said. “We’re investing in lobbying to ensure regulators understand how tech innovation works—and to prevent rules that would stifle the very companies creating jobs and solving global problems.”

Why Rival VCs Are Staying Out

While a16z has ramped up its D.C. presence, most other top VC firms have stayed on the sidelines. Federal disclosures show that Sequoia Capital spent just $50,000 on lobbying in the first half of 2025 (focused solely on climate tech policy), while Kleiner Perkins, Benchmark, and Founders Fund reported $0 in lobbying expenses.

Industry insiders cite three key reasons for the disparity:

1. Philosophical Differences: Many VC firms adhere to a traditional “hands-off” approach to policy, viewing lobbying as inconsistent with Silicon Valley’s historical focus on “building first, regulating later.” “We’d rather spend time helping startups scale than meeting with lawmakers,” a partner at Benchmark told TechCrunch on condition of anonymity. “Lobbying feels like a distraction from our core job.”
2. Risk Aversion: Lobbying can attract unwanted scrutiny—especially amid growing public and congressional skepticism of Big Tech. Some firms worry that advocating for specific policies could alienate startups, LPs (limited partners), or even potential portfolio companies that disagree with their stance.
3. Niche Priorities: Unlike a16z, which has large portfolios in heavily regulated sectors (AI, crypto), many VCs focus on less politically charged areas (e.g., enterprise SaaS, consumer apps) and see little need for policy advocacy. For example, a firm that invests primarily in productivity tools may not face the same regulatory pressures as one backing AI or crypto startups.

The Impact of a16z’s Lobbying Push

a16z’s lobbying has already yielded tangible results, according to policy analysts. The firm played a key role in shaping the AI Innovation Act, a bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate in May 2025 that exempts early-stage AI startups from some of the stricter compliance requirements imposed on large tech companies. It also helped secure amendments to the Digital Asset Market Structure Act that clarify how crypto startups can raise capital without running afoul of securities laws.

Critics, however, argue that a16z’s lobbying gives the firm undue influence over policies that affect its bottom line. “When a VC firm that invests billions in AI lobbies for ‘balanced’ regulation, it’s not just advocating for startups—it’s advocating for its own portfolio value,” said Sarah Miller, executive director of the American Economic Liberties Project, a group that pushes for stricter antitrust rules. “This creates a conflict of interest: a16z is supposed to be a champion for innovation, but its lobbying often prioritizes protecting its investments over the public good.”

Haenschen disputes this, noting that a16z’s policy positions are shared by many in the startup community. “We’re not advocating for a16z—we’re advocating for the thousands of founders and employees in our portfolio who depend on smart policy to succeed,” she said. “If regulators don’t understand how a crypto startup or AI company operates, they’ll pass rules that put those businesses out of business—and that’s bad for everyone.”

What’s Next for VC Lobbying

As regulatory pressure on tech continues to mount—particularly around AI safety, crypto oversight, and antitrust—analysts expect more VCs to follow a16z’s lead. A July 2025 survey by the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) found that 42% of VC firms plan to increase their policy advocacy budgets in the next year, up from 28% in 2024.

For now, though, a16z remains the clear leader in VC lobbying. The firm has hired three additional in-house policy experts this year and plans to expand its D.C. office, with a focus on engaging with the new Biden administration task force on AI governance.

“Washington is finally paying attention to tech—and VCs can’t afford to ignore that anymore,” Haenschen said. “We’re not just spending money on lobbying—we’re investing in the future of the startup ecosystem. And we hope more firms will join us.”

Whether rivals will answer that call remains to be seen. But for now, a16z’s $1.49 million lobbying push has established it as the most politically active VC in Silicon Valley—with implications for how tech policy is shaped in Washington for years to come.