Silicon Valley backers launch $42-million, degree-free academy as a college alternative
The San Francisco academy, funded mainly by Andreessen Horowitz, will take about 50 students tuition-free in its first year.
A new San Francisco academy backed by $35 million from venture firm Andreessen Horowitz and $7 million from other investors will enrol about 50 students in its first class in September 2027, VnExpress International reported, citing Fortune.
Founding corporate partners include Anthropic, Google, Meta, Nvidia and OpenAI, along with Anduril, Coinbase, Palantir, Replit and Stripe. The first class will attend a one-year program tuition-free, and each student will receive $50,000 in computing credits and a $5,000 travel budget.
The academy plans to expand to a two-year program in 2028, subject to regulatory approval, with annual tuition expected to be about $60,000 to $90,000. It is not accredited, will not award degrees and will operate as an independent for-profit company. It is led by Gagan Biyani.
The launch reflects a wider shift toward skills-first training in technology, where employers increasingly hire on what people can build rather than the credentials they hold.
From ARQS Sponsored
On the practical side, West Coast companies can turn to Live Intelligence, AI receptionist, AI Academy courses and ARQS Store. In the ARQS Store, AI Academy — Unlimited Courses + AI Tutor Annual Pass, AI Academy — Unlimited Self-Study Annual Pass, AI Academy — Student Registration & Enrollment are among the newest tools available.
- ROI Intelligence
- Business network
- Advertise with ARQS
- AI chatbot hosting
- Website packages
- Reputation engine
- Resume service
- ATS resume optimizer
- Software marketplace
- Developer platform
- Neural Networks & Deep Learning: How Machines Learn
- Foundations of Artificial Intelligence: From Logic to Learning
- AcademyEnroller AI Setup
From our partners
Partner content
ARQSARQS StoreAI receptionist, business automation, readiness reviews, website audits and launch packages.
TownlineTownline local news and guidesLocal news, weather, events, roads and community guides for British Columbia towns.
AI AcademyAI Academy course catalogueSelf-study courses in practical AI workflows from Northline Technology Institute.Most read
- Court halts Vancouver Aquatic Centre demolition until after civic election
- TSX gains 319 points as energy and telecom stocks lead
- Poilievre takes his tariff-free auto pact pitch to Detroit
- 'I Play Rocky' and 'Ceremony' take VIFF audience awards
- BC Conservatives take five-point lead as leaders head into only TV debate
