Without a doubt, one of the hottest new startup accelerators in tech right now is Andreessen Horowitz’s Speedrun program. Launched in 2023, the accelerator has an acceptance rate of less than 1%. In a January blog post, the program said that over 19,000 startups pitched and fewer than 0.4% were accepted into the latest cohort. 

The program used to focus on gaming startups, then expanded into entertainment and media, and is now a “horizontal program,” Joshua Lu, the program’s general manager and a partner at a16z, told TechCrunch. Today, founders of any type of startup can apply, and the program runs for about 12 weeks in San Francisco. It once had a program in Los Angeles, but Lu said the focus will be on SF from now on. 

There are two cohorts a year, and around 50 to 70 startups are accepted into each. The program invests up to $1 million into each company, though the downside is that it’s a bit pricey. It typically invests $500,000 up front in exchange for 10% of the startup’s company via a SAFE note, and another $500,000 if the next round is raised within 18 months, at whatever terms agreed to by the other investors.

In comparison, Y Combinator typically takes a fixed 7% of the company for $125,000, with another $375,000 “invested on an uncapped MFN safe.”

Speedrun said its program is more “equity expensive” because of what it offers founders. It provides them with access to a16z’s advisory and business networks that assist with tasks like go-to-market, brand development, media strategy, and talent sourcing. Plus it offers the startups perks like $5 million in credits to vendors such as AWS, OpenAI, Nvidia, and Deel.

Given the high interest, and low acceptance rate, TechCrunch spoke to Lu for some tips on how startups can best stand out. The latest cohort began in January and will end in April with a Demo Day. Applications for the next cohort open in April, though it looks at off-season applications year-round, Lu said. 

Focus on the founding team  

Speedrun focuses on early-stage startups. Because of this, they really examine who is on the founding team and whether their skills complement each other, Lu said.

“That doesn’t mean one has to be technical and one has to be commercial and one has to be marketing,” Lu said. It means that “we prefer not to see any glaring holes in capabilities or interests. We want the founding team to be self-aware and for that to be part of the hiring plan.”  

They also like to see teams that have worked together before or have a shared history. 

“There are lots of things that a founding team has to navigate in their startup journey and having a bit of pattern recognition, being able to work with each other, knowing how to disagree and how to come out the other side of a disagreement, those are all things people on founding teams with shared histories have an easier time with, on average,” he continued. 

Even though AI has lowered the barriers to building software, it’s still incredibly helpful for a founding team to be technical, Lu said. At the same time, because AI has made it much faster to build and validate hypotheses and get a product out there, Lu said the Speedrun team likes to see when a startup already has a little bit of market validation or traction for their product.

“Speedrun as a program is really great at helping teams pour gasoline on a very small spark or fire,” he said. “We look for teams that have endeavored to build and try to show us that there’s a little spark we can fan the flames on.” 

Limit the market “theory”

Lu said one common mistake founders often make in the application process is spending too much energy talking about the market theory or why there is a defined problem and why their solution is the right one. “All of that may be true,” he said.

At the same time, he added, even the biggest, most successful tech companies faced unexpected blockades when they were young, sometimes even pivoting completely. What a company thinks it’s going to build at the beginning isn’t necessarily what will make it successful at the end.

“What we really want to hear about is why this founding team is really good together,” he continued, “why they’re a great founding team, the best possible founding team to solve this particular problem.” And then on top of that, any validation on the idea itself. 

It’s okay to use AI for the application, but…

Lu said the program encourages every founder to use AI to “clean up” their application. He said there is now no excuse for grammar errors or misspellings given the rising sophistication of AI tools. He also said AI can help founders sort out their thoughts, making them clearer, more concise, and more coherent. 

But if AI did all the work in explaining the startup, that may backfire. If a founder makes it to the next round, it will be a live video-call interview. “At that point, their live narration explanation skills are going to be put to the test,” he said. So founders should be prepared to talk cogently about their startup without the help of AI.

Only about 10% of founders make it to the video-call stage. There are typically two to three investors on the judging panel at a time.

After the live interview, the team typically conducts a few more screening calls with the founders, and then a final decision on the cohort is made.

Be greedy to network

There are, of course, other accelerator programs for startups to choose from. Lu said Speedrun itself was inspired by some of these other programs. 

Still, he said, this accelerator prides itself on giving founders access to a large, specialized operating team. In fact, he said the best teams that get the most out of the program are the ones most “greedy about getting exposure to the amazing people and programs” Speedrun has to offer. 

Lu listed off just a few points: a16z has around 600 people, and 10% of that staff is on the investment team, he said; everyone else is an operator who supports the companies the firm works with. As a result, founders in Speedrun will have access to experts who can help with marketing, banking, finance, management, and many other functions. So it helps to know who the startup wants to connect with and why. 

“We tell founders that come through the program, what you get out of Speedrun is what you put into it,” he said. “We think founders who want to take advantage of world experts in many different domains early in their startup journey would be really smart to choose us.”

Advice from a founder in the program

Founder Mohamed Mohamed, who is in the recent cohort, just announced a $5 million raise for his proptech startup Smart Bricks led by a16z’s Speedrun. He was attracted to the program because he said it stood out as one of the few “explicitly designed for co-founders working on frontier AI applications,” and he picked it because he wanted a program that would allow him to “stress-test an ambitious technical vision.”

Mohamed said he treated the application like an internal strategy memo rather than a pitch. “Instead of polishing buzzwords, we focused on clarity — the real problem, why it’s structurally hard, and why our team is unusually well-positioned to solve it,” he said. “We were explicit about what was working, what wasn’t, and where we needed help. I think that honesty and clear articulation of why this problem matters” is what helped the company in the application process.

He called the whole process “rigorous but refreshingly thoughtful,” and said it was designed to understand how founders think, not just what they have built so far. “The conversations went deep into product architecture, data strategy, and long-term ambition. It felt closer to a partner-level discussion than a typical accelerator interview, which was a strong signal for us,” he said.

His overall advice is to be “intellectually honest and precise.” For example, he said in his application he avoided “over-optimizing” for the sake of hyping up his company. “If you’re vague, derivative, or overly defensive about your idea, it shows quickly. Don’t try to sound bigger than you are; clarity about where you actually are is far more compelling than inflated narratives,” he said.

In the end, “Speedrun isn’t looking for perfect companies; they’re looking for founders who can reason clearly about complex problems and build with conviction,” he said. “Articulate the hard parts of what you’re doing and why they’re worth tackling. Depth beats polish every time.”

Correction, story originally misstated YC’s investment for its 7%. It has been corrected.

When trying to find a vegan meal delivery service, several factors should be considered to find your perfect fit. 

Prepared meals versus meal kits: Prepared meals come ready to heat in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop. Meal kits, on the other hand, provide all the ingredients and instructions you’ll need to prepare the meals yourself. Though prepared meals are easier and take less time, meal kits may be good for those who like cooking or want to learn to cook.

Fresh versus frozen: On this list, we only have one meal delivery service that offers fresh meals you keep in the fridge for eating or heating: Thistle. All other prepared meal delivery services offer preprepared meals that are frozen. 

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Dietary restrictions: If you have certain dietary restrictions, you’ll want to ensure that the service you choose caters to all of them. Some services are strictly vegan, while others are vegetarian. If you’re gluten-free, counting calories or carbs or want high-protein meals, those are also factors you should consider. 

Cost: Out of the services tested for this list, costs range from $6 to $18 per serving. Before choosing a meal delivery service, you will want to determine your budget and what you’re willing to pay for time saved and convenience. Also, are you willing to pay more for meals that are already prepared versus meal kits you make yourself?

Variety: Depending on your diet, only a certain number of meals may be offered per week. Each meal delivery service should allow you to view its menus a few weeks in advance, so you can take a look at how many meals you’ll have to choose from. If you plan to rely on this service for most of your meals, you’ll want to ensure it caters to your specific diet with a wider variety of dishes.

Number of servings: If you’re looking for a meal delivery service for a couple or family, check to see how many servings are offered. Meal kits are likely to offer a greater number of servings (around four to six), while prepared meals are better suited toward individuals. 

After an unexpected postponement last month, T.H.E. Enterprises is bringing its Total HiFi Experience back to where it all started, announcing the 30th Anniversary of T.H.E. Show in Las Vegas from March 20-22, 202 at the Alexis Park Resort. The three day event is expected to showcase over 60 high-end audio brands, host live entertainment, and feature a first-ever T.H.E. Vintage Lounge exhibition.

T.H.E. Enterprises is marking the Las Vegas 30th Anniversary event with a special tribute to its late founder, Richard Beers, inviting longtime attendees to share a favorite photo, article, or personal memory from past shows. On Friday, March 20 (opening night), the event will host a dedicated Remembrance celebrating the torch Beers lit three decades ago and the community he helped build. Since its founding, T.H.E. Show has grown into a four city U.S. network, and the Las Vegas gathering honors both Beers’ original vision and its evolution alongside today’s audio industry. Attendees are encouraged to take part, share their memories, and help celebrate a legacy that continues to shape American hi-fi.

“Returning to Alexis Park feels like a true homecoming. This is the venue where T.H.E. Show first took its wings under our late and beloved founder, Richard Beers, and being back here allows us to honor that history while showing how far we’ve evolved,” said Emiko E. Carlin, President of T.H.E. Show and CEO of parent company T.H.E. Enterprises.

Ms. Carlin further stated, “We’re finally bringing the ‘Total HiFi Experience’ to life by bridging the gap between HiFi, live music, and film. In order to last another 30 years, we must not only meet the changes of today’s world, we should be encouraged to get out in front of them, leading the charge by integrating new initiatives and partnerships that are launching at T.H.E. Vegas (stay tuned for those surprises!) to welcome a new generation into the world of HiFi. It’s no longer just about the components and systems; it’s about the emotional connection to sound and building a celebration of culture that carries Richard’s legacy into the future.”

What is T.H.E. Las Vegas?

T.H.E. Show Las Vegas marks the 30th Anniversary of the event with a three day hi-fi audio exhibition open to the public and media, running March 20-22, 2026 at the Alexis Park Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show brings together state of the art home audio, personal audio, and home theater systems from companies around the world.

Founded in 1996, T.H.E. Show has built its reputation on creating original, engaging, and community driven experiences for both attendees and exhibitors across the audio and home entertainment landscape.

The Las Vegas show is designed for seasoned audiophiles, industry professionals, music creators, and film fans, as well as anyone who simply loves great sound and big screens done right.

Where is it?

Alexis Park Resort, 375 E. Harmon Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89169 (Google Map)

How to Get Tickets

Tickets for all T.H.E. Show events are available via the official ticketing site, and attendees holding tickets from the postponed January event will have them honored with a complimentary upgrade to the next ticket tier. 

Veterans and active duty U.S. Armed Forces members receive complimentary entry with proof of service, and children under 12 attend free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder.

Buy tickets now at theshownow.com

Partial Exhibitor List:

Upcoming T.H.E. Shows in 2026

• T.H.E. Lone Star Audiofest: May 1-3, 2026 in Austin, Texas
• T.H.E. Show SoCal: June 26-28, 2026 at Hilton Orange County Costa Mesa, California
• T.H.E. New York International Audio Show: Fall 2026 (date TBD)

The Bottom Line

This year’s hi-fi show calendar is jam packed, and hi-fi enthusiasts may note the Montreal Audiofest will take place over the same dates. Nevertheless, T.H.E. Show’s Las Vegas return kicks off a full anniversary year that continues in Austin, moves to Costa Mesa for the flagship T.H.E. Show SoCal, and concludes in New York later in the year with dates to be announced.

About T.H.E. Enterprises:

T.H.E. Enterprises, the parent company of T.H.E. Show, is dedicated to fostering and championing supreme excellence in high-fidelity experiences through its audio shows, live events, and more. The company has been expanding this mission to larger, international audiences via growth into multiple avenues, addressing the needs and wants of audiophiles, cinephiles, and creators of music and film alike through the launch of their record label, forthcoming new network, and film festival. 

For more information: theshownow.com

Related Reading:

In December, NASA took another small, incremental step towards autonomous surface rovers. In a demonstration, the Perseverance team used AI to generate the rover’s waypoints. Perseverance used the AI waypoints on two separate days, traveling a total of 456 meters without human control.

“This demonstration shows how far our capabilities have advanced and broadens how we will explore other worlds,” said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. “Autonomous technologies like this can help missions to operate more efficiently, respond to challenging terrain, and increase science return as distance from Earth grows. It’s a strong example of teams applying new technology carefully and responsibly in real operations.”

Mars is a long way away, and there’s about a 25-minute delay for a round trip signal between Earth and Mars. That means that one way or another, rovers are on their own for short periods of time.

The delay shapes the route-planning process. Rover drivers here on Earth examine images and elevation data and program a series of waypoints, which usually don’t exceed 100 meters apart. The driving plan is sent to NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN), which transmits it to one of several orbiters, which then relay it to Perseverance. (Perseverance can receive direct comms from the DSN as a back up, but the data rate is slower.)

AI Enhances Mars Rover Navigation

In this demonstration, the AI model analyzed orbital images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s HiRISE camera, as well as digital elevation models. The AI, which is based on Anthropic’s Claude AI, identified hazards like sand traps, boulder fields, bedrock, and rocky outcrops. Then it generated a path defined by a series of waypoints that avoids the hazards. From there, Perseverance’s auto-navigation system took over. It has more autonomy than its predecessors and can process images and driving plans while in motion.

There was another important step before these waypoints were transmitted to Perseverance. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has a “twin” for Perseverance called the “Vehicle System Test Bed” (VSTB) in JPL’s Mars Yard. It’s an engineering model that the team can work with here on Earth to solve problems, or for situations like this. These engineering versions are common on Mars missions, and JPL has one for Curiosity, too.

“The fundamental elements of generative AI are showing a lot of promise in streamlining the pillars of autonomous navigation for off-planet driving: perception (seeing the rocks and ripples), localization (knowing where we are), and planning and control (deciding and executing the safest path),” said Vandi Verma, a space roboticist at JPL and a member of the Perseverance engineering team. “We are moving towards a day where generative AI and other smart tools will help our surface rovers handle kilometer-scale drives while minimizing operator workload, and flag interesting surface features for our science team by scouring huge volumes of rover images.”

AI is rapidly becoming ubiquitous in our lives, showing up in places that don’t necessarily have a strong use case for it. But this isn’t NASA hopping on the AI bandwagon. They’ve been developing automatic navigation systems for a while, out of necessity. In fact, Perseverance’s primary means of driving is its self-driving autonomous navigation system.

One thing that prevents fully-autonomous driving is the way uncertainty grows as the rover operates without human assistance. The longer the rover travels, the more uncertain it becomes about its position on the surface. The solution is to re-localize the rover on its map. Currently, humans do this. But this takes time, including a complete communication cycle between Earth and Mars. Overall, it limits how far Perseverance can go without a helping hand.

NASA/JPL is also working on a way that Perseverance can use AI to re-localize. The main roadblock is matching orbital images with the rover’s ground-level images. It seems highly likely that AI will be trained to excel at this.

It’s obvious that AI is set to play a much larger role in planetary exploration. The next Mars rover may be much different than current ones, with more advanced autonomous navigation and other AI features. There are already concepts for a swarm of flying drones released by a rover to expand its explorative reach on Mars. These swarms would be controlled by AI to work together and autonomously.

And it’s not just Mars exploration that will benefit from AI. NASA’s Dragonfly mission to Saturn’s moon Titan will make extensive use of AI. Not only for autonomous navigation as the rotorcraft flies around, but also for autonomous data curation.

“Imagine intelligent systems not only on the ground at Earth, but also in edge applications in our rovers, helicopters, drones, and other surface elements trained with the collective wisdom of our NASA engineers, scientists, and astronauts,” said Matt Wallace, manager of JPL’s Exploration Systems Office. “That is the game-changing technology we need to establish the infrastructure and systems required for a permanent human presence on the Moon and take the U.S. to Mars and beyond.”

MicroSD Express cards are still a little hard to find, considering they’re pretty new and only really started becoming popular last year once the Switch 2 came out. These upgraded versions of microSD cards are the only ones compatible with the Switch 2 for expanding its storage, os if you’re already starting to feel the crunch on your console, it’s worth picking one up. Samsung’s P9 microSD Express card is on sale right now — you can grab the 512GB version of $80, which is 33 percent off and one of the best prices we’ve seen.

The P9 boasts transfer speeds of up to 800MB/s, making moving games to the card that much faster. As for load times, in our testing we found that any microSD Express, the standard the Switch 2 requires, will offer roughly the same performance. This format is pretty new, so there aren’t a ton of cards on the market. As such, the P9 makes our list of best microSD cards for the Nintendo Switch 2.

The P9 microSD Express is also compatible with the Steam Deck or any other gaming console that accepts the format, as well as cameras and more.

Samsung

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