Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has noticed a shift in its investment strategy. With 44% of its investments in AI apps having international founders, the firm now believes that foreign entrepreneurs may have an edge over their American peers.

The U.S. has always attracted foreign talent, but with the rise of AI, a16z recognises that having one foot in your home country and another in Silicon Valley can be advantageous. Their Borderless Founder network was created to support immigrant and international founders, as they move beyond expecting every team to relocate to the U.S.

The old pattern of foreign buyers being hesitant and slow to pay has changed significantly over the last few years, with startups now securing major global clients early on. This opens up opportunities for local founders in countries like Europe, who can sell AI solutions while balancing time between their home country and Silicon Valley.

Access to talent is a key differentiator, as recruiting in Silicon Valley has become increasingly difficult due to competition from other tech giants. International founders often tap into local talent pools that exist outside the U.S., making them potentially more successful at securing deals and growing businesses globally.