Silicon Valley VCs Join Trump’s DOGE Committee and Crypto Advisory Council
As Elon Musk takes a prominent role in Donald Trump’s transition team, several high-profile venture capitalists from Silicon Valley are reportedly being recruited to support key initiatives. Among them are Marc Andreessen of Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Joe Lonsdale of 8VC, and Antonio Gracias of Valor Equity Partners.
The DOGE Committee: Streamlining Government Efficiency
According to a Washington Post report, these VCs are being tapped to assist with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory panel led by Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The committee aims to:
- Identify technical challenges in federal data collection
- Recommend cuts to government programs
- Reduce the number of federal employees
In a Wall Street Journal editorial, Musk and Ramaswamy acknowledged potential legal hurdles but emphasized their commitment to government reform. The group also plans to launch a podcast to communicate its mission.
Key VC Players in DOGE
- Marc Andreessen (a16z): A vocal Musk supporter and major SpaceX investor since 2022
- Joe Lonsdale (8VC): Defense tech investor (Anduril) and Palantir co-founder
- Antonio Gracias (Valor Equity): Former Tesla board member and longtime Musk associate
Crypto Advisory Council Takes Shape
Andreessen Horowitz is also reportedly being considered for Trump’s promised crypto advisory council, per Reuters. Brian Quintenz, a16z’s head of crypto policy, has already been advising Trump’s team.
Other crypto-focused firms in discussions include:
- Paradigm: Crypto investment firm co-founded by Coinbase’s Fred Ehrsam
- Coinbase Ventures: The investment arm of the major cryptocurrency exchange
Trump’s Tech Policy Leadership
Politico reports that Michael Kratsios, former U.S. CTO under Trump and author of the 2020 pro-AI executive order, will lead tech policy for the transition team. Kratsios currently serves at Scale AI after previous roles at Thiel Capital.
Note: Andreessen Horowitz and Joe Lonsdale did not respond to requests for comment from the Washington Post or TechCrunch.
Why This Matters
The involvement of these tech investors signals:
- Growing influence of Silicon Valley in government operations
- Increased focus on technology-driven policy solutions
- Potential shifts in federal approach to crypto regulation and AI development
As these committees take shape, their recommendations could significantly impact how the U.S. government leverages technology and manages its operations in the coming years.
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