a16z: Launches $1.1B Machine Age Fund for AI Hardware

a16z launched its Machine Age Fund at $1.1B to back chips, memory, networking, storage, data centers, robotics and home AI appliances, with hardware startups now over 20% of deal flow and rack power projected to jump from 5-10kW to 1MW within three years; the move underscores that AI infrastructure demands supplier ties, power, cooling, land and manufacturing precision beyond software distribution models.