a16z Partner Kofi Ampadu Leaves After TxO Program Pause

Kofi Ampadu, a partner at the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, or a16z, has left the company. His departure comes three months after the firm paused its Talent x Opportunity program, known as TxO, and laid off most of the program's staff. Ampadu led TxO for over four years and sent a farewell email to staff on Friday with the subject line 'Closing My a16z Chapter.'

Background

Andreessen Horowitz launched the Talent x Opportunity program in 2020. The goal was to find and help founders who did not have connections in the usual Silicon Valley circles. These are often people from underserved groups who face barriers to getting funding and advice from top investors.

TxO worked through a donor-advised fund. This setup let the program give money and support without the standard venture capital rules. It connected founders to a16z's network of experts and investors. The program ran cohorts, groups of founders who went through training and got help to build their companies.

Nait Jones started TxO. Kofi Ampadu took over leadership after him. Under Ampadu, the program grew. It held its last cohort in March 2025. Founders in these groups got hands-on help to refine their business ideas, raise money, and build their skills.

In 2024, TxO added a grant program. It gave $50,000 to nonprofits that help diverse founders. This built on the main work of spotting talent outside normal networks.

The tech world has seen big changes in how companies handle diversity efforts. Many firms have cut back on public promises around diversity, equity, and inclusion. This shift started after some companies faced pushback. Data shows the problems TxO tried to fix are still there. Black founders get less than 1% of U.S. venture funding. Teams led only by women get about 2%.

Key Details

Ampadu's email went out to a16z staff and some founders on Friday afternoon. In it, he looked back on his time at the firm.

"During my time at the firm, I was deeply grateful for the opportunity and the trust to lead this work. Identifying out-of-network entrepreneurs and supporting them as they sharpened their ideas, raised capital, and grew into confident leaders was one of the most meaningful experiences of my career."

"As I move on to my next chapter, I leave with pride in what we built and gratitude for everyone who helped shape it. Thank you for the trust, the collaboration, and the belief in what is possible. There is more work to do and I am excited to keep building."
— Kofi Ampadu, in his farewell email

After TxO paused in November 2025, Ampadu moved to work on a16z's new accelerator called Speedrun. This program helps game startups. His time there was short. The firm's website no longer lists him.

TxO's Pause and Layoffs

In October 2025, Ampadu told TxO participants the program would pause. The firm said it needed time to refine how it ran the program. By November, most TxO staff were laid off. The pause became indefinite. No new cohorts have started since March 2025.

Some founders who joined TxO praised it. They said the mentorship was strong and the network access came fast. Others pointed out issues with the donor-advised fund setup. They felt it had limits that made it hard to grow big in a market that likes clear investment deals.

The firm has not said anything public about Ampadu leaving or TxO's future. Efforts to reach a16z and Ampadu for comment did not get a response.

What This Means

Ampadu's exit points to the end of TxO as it was known. The program was one of the biggest efforts in venture capital to open doors for founders from outside the usual groups. Its close fits a larger pattern in tech. Top companies and investors are pulling back from diversity programs they once highlighted.

Studies from groups like Crunchbase, the National Venture Capital Association, and the Kapor Center show funding gaps have not closed. Black and Latino founders still get tiny shares of venture dollars. Women founders face the same. Network barriers keep many good ideas from reaching investors.

TxO showed one way to fight this. It mixed money with advice and connections. Founders who went through it often said it changed their path. Now, with the program on hold, the question is what comes next for that kind of work.

Ampadu has not said where he will go. His past work suggests he will keep focusing on helping overlooked founders. He might start something new, join another firm, or work on accelerators. People in the startup world will watch his next steps.

For a16z, Speedrun is still running. It targets game developers. But TxO's model of finding talent anywhere and giving it a boost may not return soon. The venture world relies on schools like Stanford, insider ties, and known names to pick winners. TxO challenged that. Its pause shows how hard it is to change those habits, especially when markets get tough.

The tech funding world has slowed. Investors are pickier. In this setup, programs like TxO face extra pressure. They need to prove quick wins. TxO took a patient approach, which worked for some but not all.

Founders from TxO cohorts keep building their companies. The networks they gained stay with them. Nonprofits that got grants in 2024 continue their work. But without TxO, fewer new founders will get that start.

This moment highlights the gaps. Venture capital funds billions each year. Yet most goes to a small group. Ampadu's work reminded people of the talent waiting outside those doors. His leaving closes one door, but the need stays.